guillem balague - "On Pep and United. It is false they have met in Paris. As a friend just told me, why would United meet the next City manager? "So not true Pep met United. He has agreed to join City but hasn't signed yet. That'll happen when Bayern-City is not possible in the CL."
MCGUINNESS: CLASS OF '92 COULD HAPPEN AGAIN "History tells you that about United with the Busby Babes and the Class of '92. Out of all the top sides, our club is still the one that looks like where that could happen again. It’s great credit to Louis van Gaal who has just put the young players into his squad. The breakthrough is still possible. You can see the pathway here and it happens quite quickly. Cameron was in the first team like a flash. He’s had a game at Anfield now and was calm, assured and not fazed at all. "The Under-21 team on Monday was drawn from a few different age groups and full of talent with the likes of Adnan Januzaj, Andreas Pereira and James Weir, who's really developing into a nice footballer. If they can move on into the first team together, you've got a core. That’s what you’re aiming for."
GUIDE TO UNITED'S FA YOUTH CUP SQUAD Ahead of Manchester United's FA Youth Cup fourth-round tie with holders Chelsea at Altrincham's J. Davidson Stadium, we take a closer look at the Reds' squad... Oliver Byrne (Goalkeeper, 18): A local lad who turned 18 on New Year’s Eve - the same birthday as Sir Alex Ferguson and former United captain Steve Bruce. Comfortable in possession of the ball, the left-footer has shown a safe pair of hands but was sent off in the defeat to Liverpool. With George Dorrington ineligible, he is in line to start the match, just as he did against QPR in the previous round.Ilias Moutha-Sebtaoui (Goalkeeper, 16): Signed from Standard Liege in the summer, the keeper made his Under-18 debut as a substitute in the 3-2 defeat to Wolves last month. The Belgian prospect will aim to make the gloves his own for the Academy team next season. Jimmy Dunne (Defender, 18): The Drogheda-born defender had a hip operation last term which affected his progress. The centre-back is good in the air and previously captained Dundalk in the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland. Tyler Reid (Defender, 18): A powerful full-back who is difficult to knock off the ball and capable of nullifying threats out wide. Formerly a member of Arsenal’s Academy, he has gained experience in Nicky Butt’s UEFA Youth League team and scored the winner after coming off the bench for the Under-21s at Sunderland where he operated in a more advanced role. He has also shown an aptitude for filling in at centre-back recently.Tom Sang (Defender, 16): The right-back was recruited in the summer and has forced his way into the Under-18 reckoning. Formerly with Bolton Wanderers at junior level, he has overcome injury issues to earn a contract with the Reds following a successful trial. Charlie Scott (Defender, 18): Capable of playing at the back or in a holding role in midfield, he is a versatile member of the squad who is one of the more senior figures available to Paul McGuinness. He performed in midfield in the win over QPR and covers the ground well, making important tackles. Axel Tuanzebe (Defender, 18): An imposing presence at the heart of the defence, who has spent much of this season in the Under-21s, enhancing his reputation as a centre-back of real quality. Called into the first-team squad for the trip to Crystal Palace, he is ahead of schedule in his development and is a real leader both on and off the field. The reigning Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year. Tyrell Warren (Defender, 17): An accomplished full-back who produced an outstanding display in the UEFA Youth League home tie with Wolfsburg, earning praise from coach Nicky Butt. Despite being small in stature, he is a tigerish tackler and another Manchester-born prospect who is bidding to come through the ranks. An Under-21 bow in the win at Reading, as a substitute, shows the regard he is held in. Ro-Shaun Williams (Defender, 17): He has been captaining the Under-18 side with his defensive partner at Academy level, Axel Tuanzebe, promoted to the Under-21s on a regular basis. However, he has also been elevated to Warren Joyce's set-up and has looked the part. Lightning quick and growing in stature, he is very difficult to get past and featured at the Under-17 World Cup for England. Indy Boonen (Midfielder, 16): The Belgian prospect was recruited in the summer but is being treated patiently and had a number of outings for the Under-16 team. He was acquired from Genk and his father Jacky was also a professional player in the Jupiler League. After volleying his maiden goal for the Under-18s against Middlesbrough, he was also on the scoresheet in the defeat to Sunderland last time out. DJ Buffonge (Midfielder, 16): The former Fulham youth product has been sorely missed since sustaining an injury early into his United career, but he is back in training. A skilful footballer who can pull the strings in midfield, he is a creative force who can unlock the best of defences. Tim Fosu-Mensah (Midfielder, 17): Signed from Ajax, the Dutch powerhouse has impressed in a variety of positions for the Under-21s. Capable of playing at centre-half, right-back, holding midfield or as a no.10, he has the ability to be a major influence against the Blues. He was withdrawn in the second half of the Under-21s' 4-0 win over Southampton on Monday with a view to being involved on Friday night. Callum Gribbin (Midfielder, 17): A highly-rated creative force who made his Under-21 debut at the end of the 2014/15 season. A fine passer, both short and long, and a goal threat – particularly from dead-ball situations – he is an elegant individual with plenty of flair. While still having much to learn, he has a lot of experience for his age and has taken over the captain's armband since the turn of the year to reflect his growing maturity. Ethan Hamilton (Midfielder, 17): Although often deployed at full-back he has caught the eye as a central midfielder and seems to have a liking for Altrincham's J. Davidson Stadium, having scored there in games against Derby County and Newcastle United. He's a hard-working Scot from Edinburgh who recently sustained an injury and faces a spell out.Travis Johnson (Midfielder, 17): He has been limited to three substitute appearances in 2014/15 and has been on the sidelines again this season due to injury. A wide player who hails from Stoke-on-Trent, he won the 2014 Milk Cup with the Reds. Tosin Kehinde (Midfielder, 17): An intelligent ball-player who can operate in the middle of the park or out wide to good effect, he is starting to come of age after a long spell on the sidelines due to growth issues affecting his back. Born in Nigeria, he has already appeared for the Under-21s and is a clever operator who scored in the UEFA Youth League win in Wolfsburg and against Wolves last month. Jake Kenyon (Midfielder, 17): A flank player, the local lad from Salford has represented England at Under-15 level. His first goal for McGuinness' men came against Wolves last September. He is also capable of filling in at full-back, despite being effective going forward down the left. Faustin Makela (Midfielder, 16): Born in DR Congo, he has overcome back problems to move into contention for a spot in the Under-18 squad. A raw talent who made his Under-18 debut while still a 14-year-old, he will be hoping for a strong end to the campaign. Callum Whelan (Midfielder, 17): He made his Under-18 debut in the final game of the 2014/15 season at Middlesbrough before becoming more frequently involved this term. Although hailing from Yorkshire, he has been with United since the age of eight and is another neat footballer. Excellent in the victory over QPR, he opened the scoring and released Marcus Rashford for the decisive penalty incident. Zak Dearnley (Attacker, 17): Scorer of the Under-18s’ first league goal of this campaign, a header at West Brom, he managed to find the net at Old Trafford during the 2014/15 FA Youth Cup run. Usually deployed on the flanks, he has a busy style and is always capable of popping up with a goal. He returned from injury recently and has been asked to fill a more traditional striker's role.Kayne Diedrick-Roberts (Attacker, 17): The former Fulham forward has plenty of pace and is capable of running the channels to good effect. He scored a couple of goals in the recent indoor Mercedes-Benz Junior Cup tournament in Germany and is developing his game at the Aon Training Complex. Angel Gomes (Attacker, 15): Voted 'Most Valuable Player' at last year’s Nike Premier Cup, the 15-year-old has captained England Schoolboys. With his skills and vision, he has immense potential and made an eye-catching appearance off the bench in the last round. His first Under-18 goal was one to treasure, a tremendous strike at Derby County. Marcus Rashford (Attacker, 18): United's top goalscorer this season is one of the leading lights for the team and the skipper of the UEFA Youth League side. He is a thorn in any defence with his pace and natural ability. Work behind the scenes on improving his finishing skills is helping to make him a feared centre-forward with his pace and natural ability. He scored the winner from the penalty spot in the previous round over QPR. Entry to tonight's FA Youth Cup match against Chelsea, which kicks off at 19:05 GMT, is free to all fans. The match will be shown live on MUTV with coverage from the J. Davidson Stadium starting at 18:30.
VAN GAAL'S INJURY UPDATE BEFORE SAINTS TEST "Ashley Young has a severe groin injury, it shall be operated on, so he’s [out] for a long time," van Gaal told us. "It’s unbelievable, but we’re not lucky with that. Jones and Schweinsteiger cannot come back this weekend. You can count it and we have seven injuries." On Borthwick Jackson replacing Ashley Youung “He’s more or less a very good player for his age. He has shown already that he can cope with the pressure but, with youth players, the question is always: are they consistent? One match or a substitution is always good, but consistency is always the question mark." On Adnan Januzaj “I think that he is available," the boss said. "He made his work in the training sessions and he has played one match, which is not much of course. He needs to play more matches, but he is available."
