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Manchester United’s Antony has become the latest player to praise the impact of the youngsters coming through the club’s academy.
In what has been a dark year in many respects for United, the progress of the youth teams and academy players have been a shining light.
This season has seen the rapid development of academy graduates Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho in the first team, while Omari Forson and Willy Kambwala have also become regular members of the squad.
In addition, last week saw the introduction of Ethan Wheatley against Sheffield United, who became the 250th academy graduate to represent the first team.
The form of the under-18 team has also been a cause for huge optimism, as they won the Premier League Cup against Manchester City and destroyed arch-rivals Liverpool 1-9 earlier this month.
Captain Bruno Fernandes has also already spoken on the need for the first team to create the right conditions for academy players to continue to flourish when they break into the squad. Speaking to the club’s official website, Antony has become the latest player to lavish praise on the young players breaking through.
“It’s certainly been an excellent season for Garnacho. He’s still a very young lad and full credit to him for his performances. I’m really happy for him and hope he continues doing what he knows how to do with a focused mind and continues helping us marking, making passes and running for the team.”
The 24-year-old also reserved praise for Kambwala and Kobbie Mainoo.
Discussing the French defender’s recent game against Liverpool he stated, “I’m really pleased for them. Willy is really hard-working, always training hard and I’m delighted with the game he had against Liverpool. He had a great game and I congratulated him afterwards.”
“Kobbie has had a longer run of games,” Antony continued. “He’s a huge talent. I see so much talent there and I’m really happy for his performances.”
“I’ve been in the position of these young players – although I’m still only 24, I was also playing at their age as well. With their talent, together with focus, a supportive family and looking after themselves, things will happen naturally for them.”
The Brazilian winger scored at the weekend and certainly put in one of his better performances as of late. He will be hopeful that he and the young players can finish the season on a high with a victory in the FA Cup final in less than a month’s time.
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