Manchester United Have a Bright Future with the Class of 2016

After months of hibernation, the real Manchester United finally put in an appearance on Sunday afternoon.

Old Trafford was suddenly alive again with daring attacking football, a new cast of young heroes, a manager theatrically throwing himself to the turf and, at the end of it all, a vital 3-2 win against title-challenging Arsenal. 

At the heart of this victory was a giggling 18-year-old called Marcus Rashford.

“The Theatre of Dreams” was coined by Sir Bobby Charlton before being co-opted and relentlessly flogged by the club’s commercial department.

It is a hackneyed and often-derided phrase, but on Sunday it proved rather apt as Rashford scored with his first shot in the Premier League and then waited a mere three minutes to score his second goal.

These weren’t flukes—simply being in the right place at the right time—and his all-round display hinted at a genuine and enduring talent.

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Two days earlier, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted in his pre-match press conference he had never heard of Rashford. He left Old Trafford naturally impressed with his finishing and raving about his exceptional movement all across the pitch.

This was neatly showcased in the second half when he advanced from the right into the Arsenal penalty area, refused to panic and held the ball up before rolling it in to the path of Ander Herrera to score United’s decisive third goal.

After scoring twice on his debut for United against FC Midtjylland on Thursday, Rashford has four goals in two starts for the club—the same amount of goals the lauded Radamel Falcao managed in 29 games for United last season.

Only four days into his career as a first-team player, Rashford has become the figurehead of a brave new United side.

But he does not stand alone. There is a wealth of talent behind him, and on Sunday afternoon two more young players were handed their debuts.

At times, it felt as though they were hauling children out of the stands, as Timothy Fosu-Mensah delivered an impressive cameo at left-back before James Weir came on for the final two minutes.

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There was also Jesse Lingard marauding down the right wing, playing with great gusto and lifting the ball onto Rashford’s head for United’s second goal

After four loan spells away from the club, it appeared as though the 23-year-old was destined not to make it, but he has seized his chance and shown he has a future at Old Trafford. 

On the other side, Memphis Depay finally looked like a player worth £25 million.

The Dutch winger’s price tag will never afford him the same patience as the club’s graduates, but it is worth remembering he is still a babe himself—having celebrated his 22nd birthday earlier in February—but throughout this difficult first season it has remained abundantly clear he possesses something special.

Now we are beginning to witness it; you could see the confidence coursing through him as soon as he took to the pitch against Arsenal. He felt loved, he felt respected again and wanted to put on a show.

The tricks were still there, but they were more relevant, while his pace and direct running would carry United on wave after wave of attacks.

This was not a day when defenders get much praise, but amid the carnage that is United’s injury crisis Guillermo Varela has looked unfazed and grown in confidence at full-back. Make no mistake, here is a real player.

Since his arrival at Old Trafford, Van Gaal has given debuts to 14 players from United’s academy and as many as six in the last month.

While some will flourish, some will inevitably fade away, but their emergence has suddenly imbued United with a renewed hope for the future.

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It is admirable Van Gaal has invested his trust in youth, but will he be allowed to watch them mature in the first team next season?

Of course, more results and performances like this will help his cause, aligned with a finish in the top four and overcoming Liverpool in the Europa League.

But what United need now is a manager to work the transfer market and find the right established talent to blend with these young players.

While his promotion of youth should be celebrated, it is patently clear Van Gaal has failed in his recruitment of players.

The Dutchman has signed 13 players, and with the obvious exception of Antony Martial, it is difficult to make a case for any of them to be regarded as unqualified successes so far. The vast majority still reside in the "undecided" column.

The next three months will show whether Van Gaal deserves a reprieve and to be trusted with the Old Trafford credit card once again this summer.

It still remains likely he will leave United at the end of the season, but whatever transpires, part of his legacy will forever be giving Rashford his chance.