Two Academy Products That Should Be Given Another Chance Under Erik Ten Hag

Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United revolution is still yet to truly take place. He has taken the decision to release some of his more experienced campaigners in Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani and Nemanja Matić. Wages have also been freed up by the departure of Paul Pogba, who rejected the Old Trafford club’s offer of a contract extension.

But while rivals Manchester City and Liverpool are bringing in the likes of Erling Haaland and Darwin Núñez, United have yet to finalise a single signing. And it is those adversaries that online bookmakers such as 888Sport, who provide betting and free offers on English football, have made the favourites to battle it out for next season’s Premier League trophy. 

With the Red Devils struggling in the transfer market, Ten Hag may need to look closer to home in order to refresh his squad. With these two academy products waiting in the wings, that could be a wise decision. 

Brandon Williams 

The form of left-backs Luke Shaw and Alex Telles last season was a major reason why Manchester United ended up battling it out with West Ham United for 6th place. The pair were woeful throughout the campaign, which was especially disappointing as Shaw impressed for England during the European Championships and Telles was the brightest star at FC Porto. But their plight may have opened the door for Brandon Williams’ return to the first-team fold. 


Admittedly, the 21-year-old was also out of form as Norwich City were relegated from the English top flight. But the young wing-back was one of the brightest sparks in an otherwise underwhelming campaign during his break-through season three years ago and, if he can rediscover that form, it’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t be an upgrade on United’s current offerings. 

James Garner 

To be fair, James Garner hasn’t yet had his first chance at Manchester United. The central midfielder has made just seven appearances in all competitions for the senior squad, but with four midfielders already departing this summer, the opportunity should be there for Garner to make an impression. 

The 21-year-old has been a revelation on loan at Nottingham Forest throughout the last two seasons. Last term, he featured 49 times in all competitions as the Tricky Trees won the Championship Play-Off final, securing a return to the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years. If he can continue in the same vain when he returns to Old Trafford, he should be able to make a midfield berth his own. 

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