On 19 August 1995, Manchester United began the 1995/96 Premier League campaign with a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
What happened to this kid?
On Match of The Day later that evening, Alan Hansen declared that “You’ll never win anything with kids”.
260 days later, goals by David May, Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs sealed a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough and with it the Premier League title.
Six days later, Eric Cantona scored in the 86th minute to bring the FA Cup to Old Trafford thanks to a 1-0 win over Liverpool.
Hansen’s remark has entered footballing folklore as one of the most famous predictions in sporting history.
Though renowned for its youth, elder statesmen like Cantona were pivotal in United’s success
On that opening day, Ferguson fielded a starting XI containing Phil Neville, 18, and Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes, all 20. On the subs’ bench were David Beckham and John O’Kane, both 20.
These youngsters were offset by the presence of a number of veterans.
With 31-year-old Peter Schmeichel in goal, the defence was a very experienced unit, consisting of (in addition to Gary Neville): Paul Parker, 31; Gary Pallister, 30; and Denis Irwin, 29.
During the summer of 1995, Ferguson had sold big names such as Paul Ince and Mark Hughes without making any major signings as replacements, perhaps due to his belief that he had an outstanding crop of youngsters graduating from his academy.
Phil and Gary Neville at Valencia
The nucleus of the title-winning side came from that famous Class of ’92, with the Nevilles, Butt, Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham – individuals who would go on to form the core of the team that would achieve great success over the next decade, including winning the Treble in 1999.
Despite the well-documented youth of that side, there is one Premier League-winning team who had a younger average age.
Jose Mourinho’s 2004/05 title-winning Chelsea side had an average age of 24 compared to United’s 25.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will take success this year regardless of his team’s age
In light of this fact, it would seem Mourinho’s reputation for discarding the overtures of youth may be a tad harsh, and will certainly be music to United fans’ ears who are so fond of their club’s youthful ethos.
Meanwhile, Hansen – a young pundit himself at the time having only been on MOTD for three years – did not see his career affected by the remark, and went on to amass 22 years’ experience on the programme.
In fact, he has himself said that the gaffe was his big punditry break.
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