After two impressive seasons with Crewe in League Two, young Nick Powell made a £4million move to United in the summer and has made his mark instantly, scoring off the bench on his Premier League debut in the 4-0 victory over Wigan back in September.
Nick guided Crewe to promotion to League One last year, he scored 14 goals in 38 appearances, including an absolute scorcher in the play-off final. He recently won a ‘League Two Player of the Year’ award in the Northwest for his contribution to Crewe’s promotion campaign, Powell had already cleaned up Crewe’s club awards by winning Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and also giving him their Goal of the Season award.
The 18-year old made his England U21 debut last night in a more advanced role playing in just behind Connor Wickham, and he bossed the midfield. Similar can be said for his performances in the United U21 side, he has looked calm and composed and isn’t afraid of trying something different. He’s big and strong and he can beat the opposition with his pace and power, this is certainly something our midfield has been missing since Roy Keane left way back in 2005.
Sir Alex obviously sees a lot in him having already touting him to be ‘the next Paul Scholes’, and he obviously trusts him already by using him off the bench for the first team in league game as well as the epic Capital One Cup tie at Stamford Bridge last month. As we’ve already qualified I’d like to see him start in the Champions League games against Galatasaray and Cluj, there would be no pressure on him and he can go out there and play his natural game. I wouldn’t expect to see him go out on loan either, he can do a job already within the squad and if we were to have a midfield injury crisis he is more than capable of stepping in. He could well be a regular in the side within the next year or so.
He’s still a young lad but if he keeps his head screwed on he has the potential to go a long way in this game, and he’s definitely at the best club for it. United are a club that are renowned for giving their youngsters a go on the big occasion and if he stays injury-free then we could have a real gem on our hands.
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