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Class Of 25?

Writer's picture: Head ScoutHead Scout

Manchester United U21 1-3 Nordsjaelland U21 (Premier League International Cup Group Stages)

After the weekend’s defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, Red Devils Manager Ruben Amorim stated that his team are perhaps “the worst Manchester United side of all time”. Not content with underperforming on the pitch, the club are in turmoil off it too, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to cost cut like a budget supermarket entering administration, he’s taken around 250 jobs and put gate fees up to unprecedented levels starting from £66 without concessions, all while continuing to pay underperforming players like Marcus Rashford over 200k a week, it hasn’t gone down well with fans, tonight I’m off to Altrincham to see the next generation of talent, maybe they can look to help rescue the famous old name from its latest number of embarrassments? Maybe they can find a new Marcus Rashford to pay big bucks??


Danish newcomers Nordsjaelland unlike United are a club heading in the right direction. Formed in 1991 they have risen up the ranks since changing their name from Farum BK in 2003, and have been in the Superligaen since 2010, winning the title in 2012/13, they have twice been runners up of Denmark’s top flight and have been a regular in Europe in recent years, featuring in last season’s UEFA Conference League where they finished third in the group stages despite hammering both Fenerbahçe (6-1) and Ludogorets (7-1) in the process.


Key to that success has been their unearthing of new talent and their U21’s this season, invited to the Premier League International Cup, are two unbeaten, having beaten both Norwich City 2-0 and Liverpool U21’s 4-3.


It’s been a bit of a disaster for me, having had an abandonment last Wednesday at Boston United, Saturday’s match I was supposed to attend, Halifax v Dagenham & Redbridge was also called off on Friday, I’m hoping tonight won’t suffer any mishaps as I hop into the car and head North West through Stoke and up the M6 to Greater Manchester.



The Venue


It’s my first ever visit to Moss Lane, these days named the J. Davidson Stadium and home to National League side Altrincham FC since 1910.


A lovely part of the world, Alty is a nice-looking market town as I drive through in the dark, a pleasant centre and some nice sized semi-detached houses as I manage to park near the ground on Sandileigh Avenue, just a big goal kick across the way.


From the outside it’s got real character, the Main Stand backing on to Moss Lane it looks slightly out of place in middle class suburbia, a sign for players and officials’ entrance above two double wooden doors can be seen clearly from the cars that drive by.


I’m walking around to the turnstiles on Golf Road, in the corner of the ground, before entering the venue where two teams are already warming up on the pitch, I’m pointed straight ahead by a steward to the Community Hall and Bar where there's food and drinks, as I walk past I notice some Karate class going off in the windows, but on the pitch is where it matters tonight, slightly muddy from the recent bad weather, wide and green lit up by eight tall standing floodlights under the black drizzling sky.


There seems to be a common theme in Manchester where many of the non-league grounds have a similar but attractive old vibe, not dissimilar to Ashton United, Droylsden FC, or Hyde FC, the ground is big and wide, heavy in metal, propped up by posts, painted largely red, plenty of cover, plenty of character, I’m in the old Main Stand a large wooden floored centre piece with pillars in view, it’s a gorgeous stand but slightly restricted in view due to the smaller modern stand down to my right, and the community hall to the left blocking each near side corner quadrant, if the three posts that prop up the roof don’t catch your eye the two floodlights in front might, beyond those there’s a pitch somewhere.


Elevated, it is a homely spot at the top of the stand, I’m sat in front of the PA box where there’s a herd of scouts asking for team sheets, opposite is a high roofed stand not in use today, two smaller standing areas to its left and right, behind the goal on my right is open ended, modern flats on looking behind, the goal to my left has a slightly curved low roofed stand, in the far corner a huge telecoms mast that dwarfs the ageing old venue.


The Game


I’m keen to see United but even more intrigued to see Nordsjaelland who have been punching above their weight at this level, they have a few players from the Right To Dream Academy based in Ghana, set up 26 years ago ironically by a Manchester United African scout Tom Vernon to unearth the best talent on the continent, it has nurtured the likes of Mohammed Kudus of West Ham, Southampton’s Kamaldeen Sulemana, Brighton’s Simon Adingra and Mohamed Diomande of Rangers, all of which went through the Nordsjaelland set up enroute to even better things.


Tonight’s team includes Levy Nene, Caleb Yirenkyi and Araphat Mohammed who have all followed the same pathway, and all start well as Nordsjaelland boss proceedings which slightly overwhelms me somewhat.


United are awkwardly 3-4-3, they play at low intensity and don’t particularly press, the Danes are bigger, stronger, look fitter, quicker, perhaps less technical but it’s the away side who stroke the ball two and from, they dominate possession as they look to probe openings controlling the midfield battle.


I’m really disappointed with United, I’ve nothing against their Coach Travis Binnion who led them to a 2022 FA Youth Cup success, but on the eve of hearing that ‘jobs for boys’ are being slashed with many United legends like Denis Irwin, Bryan Robson and Andy Cole facing wage cuts from their matchday hospitality roles, I can’t help feeling that ‘this’ United team ‘needs’ a Manchester United former player in charge. A Nicky Butt, a Paul Scholes, even a Gary or Phil Neville, just someone who gets and understands the club from a playing perspective and who knows what it means to come through this what should be the greatest of world football academies.


It's all half-hearted, and it reminds me of how the first team play, I’m not sure if the players or the coaches are convinced in the system which is obviously an Amorim request in attempt to change the clubs playing philosophy, but I wonder if it will last? It certainly feels it needs a lot of time which Amorim may not get given.


On 28 a terrible back pass by right back Ogunneye is intercepted by Nene, he should score but doesn’t, after scuffing his one on one opportunity he lays back the rebound to the lively Mohammed who can’t miss from five yards out.


A minute later it gets worse, from kick off, United goalkeeper Myles receives the ball, passes directly to Nene, who this time makes no mistake.


The Score


2-0 at half time and it’s more than deserved, the Danes have been superior in all departments with a number of players impressing, United’s only hopefuls are left back Harry Amass who looks to have some technical ability going forward, whilst Chido Obi in attack cracked their best opportunity crashing a long range shot against the bar.


You feel United need to improve after the break, but they don’t, within seven minutes of the restart Nene makes it two for him and three for Nordsjaelland, heading home a corner before dancing away in celebration, it’s all too easy for the visitors who travel south to face Fulham on Friday.


They have plenty of time left to get minutes into some subs legs as United also make a whole load of changes, late on there is a response as Chido Obi-Martin runs through to slot home, he’s a tall lad with pace and power and looks a better bet for first team football than Hojland and Zirkzee right now, a Dane himself, just 17 years old, could he be the one bright spark to provide some hope along the gloomy road ahead?


The Stars


Whilst Chido stood out for United with a bit of Rashford/Martial swagger (which might not particularly sound a good thing) I did like the look of Harry Amass at left back, almost Ryan Giggs like in physique his socks rolled down his ankles he had good technical ability but lost his way the later the game went and certainly from a defensive perspective left a lot to be desired.


No others impressing enough, against a dominant force, but special mention to Amir Ibragimov who came on after the hour and at least ran about a bit, there’s a lot to be said for putting in the effort even during a lost cause, which perhaps says a lot about him, as it does about the rest of this United team.


For Nordsjaelland, where do I start? A good solid goalkeeper in William Lykke who can kick it miles, often he’ll draw in the press and just go long with pin point accuracy, as would centre half Erik Marxen who at 34 stood in perhaps as a ringer, a lovely left foot where he would spray balls often out to the right.


In midfield I really liked the number six Justin Janssen who is a big powerhouse who keeps things simple, he didn't give a pass away all night, number eight Malte Heyde full of running and good on the ball, in that trio Caleb Yirenkyi was the enforcer, breaking down play and working hard outside possession.


The attacking three caused United plenty of problems too, Levy Nene is a player I had noted due to the goals he has already scored, light on his feet, quick, positive, he knows where the net is, but I was even more excited when Araphat Mohammed got on the ball, cutting in from the right he looked to have good skillset and as quick, if not quicker, than Nene, both of the Right To Dream Academy.


The Verdict


Of those players who have the right to dream about making the grade at the highest level, I tip more from Nordsjaelland than I do United, which tells you where I think both teams are at, one recruiting well at a young age, to get the best players to play for an emerging force in Denmark and European football which is used as a stepping stone to earn the club a few Krone along the way, the other a thorn between two bushes, second best in their own city when it comes to Academy stakes, I wonder if Sir Jim Ratcliffe will do away with the whole thing before too long and scrap the seconds in order to save a few more quid?


Manchester United have had an academy player in every matchday squad since 1937, that record needs to continue for the good of humanity, but one day I feel it will end, and it will be a sad day when it comes, by then, which I feel is not far off, United could be in a much worse situation than they currently are? The demise in recent years has been so very sad to see.


The Teams


Manchester United: Tom Myles, Habeeb Ogunneye, Louis Jackson, Godwill Kukonki (Jack Kingdom 46), Harry Amass, Sekou Kone (Finley McAllister 62), Jack Moorhouse (Jayce Fitzgerald 62), Ashton Missin (Malachi Sharpe 71), Ruben Curley (Amir Ibragimov 62), Sam Mather, Chido Obi.


Nordsjaelland: William Lykke, Markus Walker (Daniel Johannesson 70), Noah Markmann, Erik Marxen, Caleb Yirenki, Justin Janssen, Araphat Mohammed (Oliver Klemmensen 87), Levy Nene (Markus Monsen 81), Juho Lahteenmaki, Malte Heyde (Victor Gustafsen 70), Villum Berthelsen (Vilum Dalsgaard 87).


7:00pm Kick Off. Tuesday 21st January 2025, Moss Lane, Altrincham (att 334).

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