Manchester United's Best Teenage Signings This Century
Manchester United have built a reputation, both through their actions and a degree of carefully cultivated public relations, for being a club where youth can thrive.
That is founded on a history of valuing young players, including those produced within their own ranks. Sir Matt Busby built both his and the club's reputations on a platform of nationwide youth scouting, a programme that brought Sir Bobby Charlton to the club from the north-east of England, among a host of others.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought through a good number of young players too, with his reputation for youth development forever enshrined by the success of the Class of '92—the Fergie Fledglings, as they were known at the time.
But United have also been prepared to spend big on young, up-and-coming talent that is first-team ready. And in the 17 years since this century began, that has involved some of the best teenagers the game has seen.
Without further ado, let's rank them!
Honourable Mention: Anderson, 2007
Ah, Anderson. A what-might-have-been story if ever there was one. Even his presence on this list might raise some eyebrows. At £27 million, he does not meet the standard for value for money, meeting his potential, resale value or long-term impact. So why is he here? Is it just because he pulled funny faces at goalkeepers on direct free-kicks a couple of times?
No. It is because his first season at the club was superb. It was that season that left people with the hope that he would turn out to be a bargain. At the time, Christopher Verity wrote for Bleacher Report:
"Anderson's first season has got United fans dreaming about his future prospects. On his day, he has the energy and power of Roy Keane with an eye for a pass that only Paul Scholes can match.
"If he improves his consistency and acquires some shooting boots, then he can be United's midfield linchpin for the next 10 years."
Verity gave him an 8/10 for the campaign, a mark that is totally reasonable. Considering United won a Premier League and Champions League double in 2007/08, an 8/10 performer in that season has to sneak on to this list, even if he most certainly did not become United's midfield linchpin for the next 10 years.
Honourable Mention: Rafael and Fabio da Silva, 2008
The once-inseparable twins may have ended up at different clubs, but it seems unnecessary to separate them here. Rafael da Silva had a longer United career—and a more productive one, especially given his excellent performances in 2012/13—but it was Fabio da Silva who got to start in a Champions League final.
As late as 2011, the Manchester Evening News suggested the twins were "potentially capable of filling the left- and right-back roles for the next 10 years." It is tempting to wonder what would have happened had Fabio's injury problems been less recurrent or if Sir Alex had stayed another season or two to allow Rafael to bed even further into the first team.
Rafael is now at Olympique Lyonnais, a very decent level. Fabio was relegated with Middlesbrough last season. United fans generally wish the twins well, and they deserve a place among the honourable mentions here.
Honourable Mention: Phil Jones, 2011
It is odd to think Phil Jones was a teenager when he signed for United, as the then-19-year old had started playing top-flight football for Blackburn Rovers two seasons prior to his arrival at Old Trafford in 2011.
It was hard to imagine, then, he would "only" be an honourable mention on a list like this six years later, such was the obvious level of his talent. In truth, when he has had extended periods playing for United, he has almost always been good.
But the time he has got on the pitch has been seriously restricted by injuries. If he goes through the same kind of thing in the upcoming season, it could well be his last at the club. On the other hand, he is still only 25, and if he can somehow put his injury problems behind him, he could become the kind of United great he once seemed destined to be.
No. 3: Anthony Martial, 2015
Anthony Martial may have had a slightly tricky season last time out, but this pre-season has shown just why he got United fans so excited after his arrival in the summer of 2015. His initial £36 million signing seemed expensive for a teenager few fans knew too much about, but his debut against Liverpool made them sit up and take notice.
"Asked if Martial is in his plan next season.
— 6ft and 6th FC. (@SemperFiUnited) August 2, 2017"
"Martial, Rashford, Lukaku everybody is in the plan, it's going to be fun." pic.twitter.com/AN0bskh6fn
A brilliant dribble and a cool finish began writing his name in United folklore, and the 17 goals he scored in all competitions—including a dramatic late winner in the FA Cup semi-final—was a bright spot in an otherwise dull season.
Perhaps it will turn out to be foolish to award Martial such a lofty spot on this list. If Jose Mourinho continues his slightly odd treatment of the youngster, then it may end up that the Frenchman's future lies elsewhere. But United fans have already seen how talented he is. It would be a huge shame if that talent bloomed away from Old Trafford.
No. 2: Cristiano Ronaldo, 2003
Talking of blooming away from Old Trafford, it may be a little controversial to have Cristiano Ronaldo at No. 2 rather than in the top spot, but though the club did earn a substantial fee from Real Madrid, they nonetheless only got three wonderful seasons out of Cristiano Ronaldo.
He took a little while to settle in after his arrival in 2003 and was, for a while, considered something of a luxury player—a show pony with all the tricks but little end product. He became an end-product machine and, between 2006 and 2009, was clearly United's best player. Between 2007 and 2009 especially, he was United's best player by a long, long way.
That was the end of the adventure, though. After Madrid spent £80 million on his services in 2009—which seemed an extraordinary amount but has proved one of football's biggest bargains—his time at United was over, and he became a Madridista through and through, in spite of the repeated links with a move back to Manchester ever since.
No. 1: Wayne Rooney, 2004
Wayne Rooney takes the top spot here because playing at the club long enough to become United's captain and all-time top scorer outweighs a few amazing seasons and a huge transfer fee.
Even though his demise had become painfully obvious during his last three or four seasons at United, his contributions between 2004 and 2012 make him the best teenage signing of the century. He was brilliant right from the off, unlike Ronaldo, and though his team-mate outshone him during that period between 2007 and 2009, Rooney was still superb then—the perfect foil for the Portuguese's outlandish brilliance.
As a teenager, Rooney was electric. As he matured, he became a terrifying goalscorer. His decline was precipitous, and former manager Louis van Gaal's decision to play him in every game he could was a serious mistake, but he was so good for so long that he richly deserves his place atop this list.
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