From the Class of 92 to Class of 16 – is this another golden age for Manchester United kids?
Youth coach says there’s a host of talents ready to follow Marcus Rashford on to big stage
Whether or not they go on to emulate Manchester United’s fabled “Class of ’92” and provide the backbone for a glittering future, the emergence of some excellent young players has been one bright spot in a difficult season for the club.
Marcus Rashford has become a poster boy for the latest generation of United youngsters, who may one day become known as the “Class of ’16”.
The 18-year-old has scored six goals in his first 11 appearances, including two on his debut against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League in February.
In midweek, The youngsters did their club proud as United responded to Sunday’s dismal Premier League defeat by Tottenham Hotspur to beat much-fancied West Ham United 2-1 in an absorbing FA Cup quarter-final replay at Upton Park.
Rashford and defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah, in particular, stood out against the Hammers. Rashford produced a moment of magic to curl United into a 54th-minute lead, while Fosu-Mensah, a product of the Ajax academy, showed tremendous maturity at the back to help snuff out West Ham’s dangermen, including Dmitri Payet and Andy Carroll.