Manchester United fans will want the club to buy big this summer- and may find an answer to their problems in their youth ranks too.
Eden Hazard is the top summer target for England’s big clubs, and it is looking like another battle between United and City.
The Belgian was reportedly at the Etihad on Monday night to watch the top of the table clash, and if that is indeed true, he will have been far more impressed with United’s blue neighbours.
Even so, United’s loss should only intensify their desire to bring in the highly rated player, as part of the forthcoming overhaul of their squad.
Bring him in, or see him go elsewhere, United have plenty of talent of their own in their youth system to get excited about.
The player most similar in style to him is attacker Jesse Lingard, a 19-year-old who wears the number 53 shirt at Old Trafford.
He can play as a striker, behind the strikers, or on the wings, and was the top scorer in his debut season in the under-18s two years ago.
He has since made the step up to the reserves, and was on the verge of a Carling Cup appearance this season, narrowly missing out on a place on the bench against Crystal Palace.
Sir Alex Ferguson gave an interview this week talking up several youngsters, including Will Keane and David Petrucci who he plans to send on loan next season.
Lingard was not one of them, his chance will come, and he will again hope for a Carling Cup opportunity.
The Warrington born forward will hope to make a step up and seize a chance, and could play a part in United’s pre-season. After that he will target 2013/14 after that his most likely breakthrough season.
By that time United will hope Eden Hazard, or any other big money signings will be ready to start their second season.
The problem for United right now is that they have several talented youngsters in their ranks, but if this season has taught the club anything, it is that they cannot afford to wait for them to develop, or risk being left further behind by Manchester City.
City’s two league victories over them this season have displayed a type of dominance which will only grow if not addressed.
Can United wait for Lingaard, Cole, and co. to break through and hope they step up? We doubt it, they need a fresh injection of talent right now.
At the start of the season, Sir Alex Ferguson put his faith in a group of young players, Cleverley, Jones, Smalling, the Da Silva twins, and Welbeck to take the mantle of their title charge.
Of that group, only Welbeck has had the breakthrough season he would have wanted, and the rest will have to start again next year, with Fabio off out on loan, but will be better for their travails this season.
United’s experienced pro’s, Giggs, Park, Ferdinand, will be a year older, and the team is in dire need of fresh blood if they are to compete for the title next year.
That fresh blood does not mean promoting more youth from within alone. It means bringing in ready-made stars, an Eden Hazard, a Javi Martinez, a Marouane Fellaini.
Lingard can learn from these stars, and go onto achieve huge things at United, he can even emulate Hazard. Then United will have a real team on their hands.
Watch Lingard score in last month’s Dallas Cup tournament:
image: © paolo camera
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