I regularly go down to Hyde United’s Ewen Fields to watch Manchester United’s young side and this season many of the popular names – Rossi, Pique, Eagles, Bardsley, & Martin – have been missing.

This season the Manchester United reserves haven’t done as well as last season, this is because the majority of last season’s team have been on loan. However some of the newest batch of players playing for the Manchester United youth side have impressed me greatly.

Febian Brandy – Striker

This boy is very quick and has a great shot, he has impressed me more than any other youth player I have seen, he makes runs and once he has the ball he is hard to stop, seen him take two or three players on and score.

Ed: If this kid can be as good as Rossi, then Manchester United have another future superstar in the making.

Danny Welbeck — Winger

This lad looks like he will be a promising player, he is fast and has made lots of assists for Brandy and did well against Arsenal in the Youth Cup Semi Final. He played well in the final for us too. SAF commented recently upon Ryan Giggs, saying he knew he was destined to be a great player and he also said we have another player in this years youth cup final who he believes the same destiny awaits many believe this to be Welbeck.

Ed: I think SAF might have meant Brandy, but Welbeck has done well

Craig Cathcart — Defender

A really good solid central defender, has been already called up by the first team and as been on the bench for a few games this season. He has partnered well with Shawcross last season also.

Ed: Cathcart’s next season will be crucial – he will probably be sent out on loan and his performances there will more or less determine his Manchester United future. He has Evans and Pique ahead of him, Shawcross is there too so there’s plenty of competition (always good for Manchester United).

Ben Amos — Goalkeeper

You never seem to notice him in matches which I feel is a good trait for a keeper, he has also been selected for the England Youth Side. Always seems to solid and has a good match for the team.

Ed: Ziegler isn’t bad either, but Amos seems to another Foster in the making (at least).

Your Pick?

From the current Manchester United youth squad, who do you think has the most potential for breaking into the Manchester United starting XI in the next few years?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

As Liverpool prepare themselves for tonights Champions League final in Athens, If I were a Liverpool supporter I would feel short changed this season.

Over recent months it has become apparent that Rafael Benitez has been guilty of playing for one competition, thus getting to the final has thrown Liverpool into the limelight once more but compared to Manchester United and Chelsea’s seasons they simply fail by the same standards.

If I were a Manchester United fan or a Chelsea fan I would have prefered to go out in the Semi-finals of the Champions League knowing that my players had given everything to the cause in each of the four competitions.

As it stands it is Liverpool who represent England in this years final, they are fresh unlike Manchester United and injury free unlike Chelsea for the simple reason they have treated the Premiership as pre-season games.

This isn’t new in 2005 they did the same thing and won in Istanbul, and last year an early exit at the hands of Benfica prompted them to turn their attentions to the FA Cup.

Now if I were a Liverpool season ticket holder, I wouldnt be too impressed at the fact the team treat the Premiership as a Warm up, friendly or pre season training rather than an actual competition.

Being an Englishman I would like to see Liverpool bring back the European Cup but the fact they have held back all season for this one competition stains their success and in many other people’s eyes also.

In my opinion UEFA should elect to reduce the number of teams entering the Champions League and also as the name sugguests when was the last time Liverpool were indeed League Champions?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News