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25 Feb 25
16:13
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Date Joined:
06 Dec 03
I think from what I was told by a Man Utd fan that it was likely they are about to cut down on the number of scouts that they use.
I remember talking to somebody that was involved at Leeds Utd many years ago about a match between the Leeds youth team and the Man Utd one in the latter stages of the youth FA cup - and I think they may have been televised. Over the two legs I think I remember that Leeds won both games. Leeds were a much more physical team than Man Utd and used that overall strength in winning. The person's comment was that many of the Man Utd showed more potential skill wise than their opponents and many could possibly go on to do well long term. In Fergies early days didn't many of his players come through the club youth scheme and I think some would have been playing in those youth games against Leeds?
I think sometimes youth team players can be written off too early due to supposed lack of physique. A case in point was at Leeds where at 16 Tom Cairney was let go due to a supposed lack of physique. You could call him a late developer as he went to Hull where he played some games in the premier league and is now at Fulham. How many games will this late developer have played at the top level when he gives up playing.
Perhaps cutting down scout numbers could be a mistake for Man Utd. I know academies and youth teams can be costly to operate. However, how small can that figure be in comparison the many multi millions of pounds spent buying in supposed top talent, some of whom don't always perform to the levels expected. Perhaps many bought in by Man Utd have not performed well? If you do bring on a young player through your ranks it is something many fans like to see.
The more scouts a club uses, the more chance they have in finding promising youngsters who may be able to progress through their youth ranks and become good first team players.
I remember talking to somebody that was involved at Leeds Utd many years ago about a match between the Leeds youth team and the Man Utd one in the latter stages of the youth FA cup - and I think they may have been televised. Over the two legs I think I remember that Leeds won both games. Leeds were a much more physical team than Man Utd and used that overall strength in winning. The person's comment was that many of the Man Utd showed more potential skill wise than their opponents and many could possibly go on to do well long term. In Fergies early days didn't many of his players come through the club youth scheme and I think some would have been playing in those youth games against Leeds?
I think sometimes youth team players can be written off too early due to supposed lack of physique. A case in point was at Leeds where at 16 Tom Cairney was let go due to a supposed lack of physique. You could call him a late developer as he went to Hull where he played some games in the premier league and is now at Fulham. How many games will this late developer have played at the top level when he gives up playing.
Perhaps cutting down scout numbers could be a mistake for Man Utd. I know academies and youth teams can be costly to operate. However, how small can that figure be in comparison the many multi millions of pounds spent buying in supposed top talent, some of whom don't always perform to the levels expected. Perhaps many bought in by Man Utd have not performed well? If you do bring on a young player through your ranks it is something many fans like to see.
The more scouts a club uses, the more chance they have in finding promising youngsters who may be able to progress through their youth ranks and become good first team players.
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Manchester United have appointed Christopher Vivell as their permanent director of recruitment on a multi-year deal
All premier league teams have to have full academies,as part of their entry to the league,a percentage of their tv rights deals are set aside for this.
It’s over kill really,there’s just too many academy’s now,cos teams relegated like Burnley,Wigan,Blackburn all got academies.
They can only sign a player within an hours travelling time from their base,
So they set up satellite academies.
It’s madness
Basically 50% of all male school kids play football at some time,the better ones go on to play for local kids teams,age groups 7-11.
From these teams scouts from prem teams offer players I spot.
I’ve been in touch lines,where there’s been 6 prem team scouts watching an under 9 game.
They can’t accept a player till he’s 11,so they hold them in pre training yards effectively till they’re 11.
Like I said 50 % of all male kids pass through this system.
Because the to rights deal is so big,then their academies are big.
From this last 30 years ,Man Utd felt the need to search Cameroon for a goal keeper,then leech for a left back etc etc,
Or maybe it’s cos the agents involved grease the wheels to make the signing happen.
And the 2 million male kids that passed through the academies,well they just weren’t good enough
What a crock of ****.
It’s over kill really,there’s just too many academy’s now,cos teams relegated like Burnley,Wigan,Blackburn all got academies.
They can only sign a player within an hours travelling time from their base,
So they set up satellite academies.
It’s madness
Basically 50% of all male school kids play football at some time,the better ones go on to play for local kids teams,age groups 7-11.
From these teams scouts from prem teams offer players I spot.
I’ve been in touch lines,where there’s been 6 prem team scouts watching an under 9 game.
They can’t accept a player till he’s 11,so they hold them in pre training yards effectively till they’re 11.
Like I said 50 % of all male kids pass through this system.
Because the to rights deal is so big,then their academies are big.
From this last 30 years ,Man Utd felt the need to search Cameroon for a goal keeper,then leech for a left back etc etc,
Or maybe it’s cos the agents involved grease the wheels to make the signing happen.
And the 2 million male kids that passed through the academies,well they just weren’t good enough
What a crock of ****.
I accept maybe,that buying a superstar striker,goal scorer,midfield genius is worth the 100million.
But keepers,left backs ,defenders etc,are 10a penny and as long as they’re ok,the team will be ok.
There’s no need to buy in water carriers,unless like the stock market,new companies floating is like new signings,it generates income.and justifies jobs.
But keepers,left backs ,defenders etc,are 10a penny and as long as they’re ok,the team will be ok.
There’s no need to buy in water carriers,unless like the stock market,new companies floating is like new signings,it generates income.and justifies jobs.
From what I was led to believe it was not the scouting appointment looking into established top level players but those many scouts who go round looking at school matches, etc looking for promising youngsters.
Such is the search for young talent some European clubs are involved with youth players in academies in Africa. I wonder if this is something Man Utd do? I think I heard Arsenal may do that. Can anybody give more info about these types of academies in Africa?
Such is the search for young talent some European clubs are involved with youth players in academies in Africa. I wonder if this is something Man Utd do? I think I heard Arsenal may do that. Can anybody give more info about these types of academies in Africa?
It’s that saturated they don’t watch school matches.
If you’re not picked up by 8/9,then you’ll never get seen.
They find then 5/6/7,
Satellite them till 11,then offer academy spot,to 20, 11 year olds,each group moves up the age bracket,
No one’s looking for 13/14 year olds,it’s too late,too many bad habits.etc.
They put them in best state or private school,so when they cut them loose at least they’ve had a good schooling.
Telling the 6ft 7inch keeper,who’s not conceded a goal for 2 years,that’s he’s not quite good enough,cos they’ve signed a Cameroon guy.
No one gets a pay day if the academy kid makes the first team.
If you’re not picked up by 8/9,then you’ll never get seen.
They find then 5/6/7,
Satellite them till 11,then offer academy spot,to 20, 11 year olds,each group moves up the age bracket,
No one’s looking for 13/14 year olds,it’s too late,too many bad habits.etc.
They put them in best state or private school,so when they cut them loose at least they’ve had a good schooling.
Telling the 6ft 7inch keeper,who’s not conceded a goal for 2 years,that’s he’s not quite good enough,cos they’ve signed a Cameroon guy.
No one gets a pay day if the academy kid makes the first team.
Agent does.
Mate was an agent and he didn't limit
recruitment by age. He even picked up
established pros and got them clubs.
Mate was an agent and he didn't limit
recruitment by age. He even picked up
established pros and got them clubs.
Obviously the players agent and the player benefit,but unless your son is the players agent,there’s no pressure for the manager to push the signing through.
Manager.
We need a keeper.
Back staff meeting.
Got a great kid in the u 18s,sporting director jumps in ,I’ll put the feelers out,I’m getting offered keepers all the time.
This onana at Ajax meant to be great.
Just needs to brush up on his parrying out,and coming for crosses,but got a great pass.
So what shall we do.
80 mill plus 60 mill wages for onana.
Or the free kid from the academy.
Manager.
We need a keeper.
Back staff meeting.
Got a great kid in the u 18s,sporting director jumps in ,I’ll put the feelers out,I’m getting offered keepers all the time.
This onana at Ajax meant to be great.
Just needs to brush up on his parrying out,and coming for crosses,but got a great pass.
So what shall we do.
80 mill plus 60 mill wages for onana.
Or the free kid from the academy.
Could be tricky onana,financial fair play etc,
We’ll sell that mctomminey,he was free through the academy,
We’ll sell that mctomminey,he was free through the academy,
To be fair they tried to sell mctom for a couple of years before they
found a buyer.
found a buyer.
Still some players not being picked up young, and being signed from non league, although not as common as before
Jamie Vardy, Jarrod Bowen...
Just realised I'm going back a while
Jamie Vardy, Jarrod Bowen...
Just realised I'm going back a while
Dan Burn was a non league player, having been a Newcastle school boy.
Off the top of my head, could put together a decent team of ex non league players from the 80s...
From the London area alone
Stuart Pearce
Vinnie Jones
Andy Townsend
Tony Cascarino
Ian Wright
From the London area alone
Stuart Pearce
Vinnie Jones
Andy Townsend
Tony Cascarino
Ian Wright
Yes, yhtl, forgot about him
Chris Waddle as well
I bet you could put together 11 names that would very likely have won the league back then
Chris Waddle as well
I bet you could put together 11 names that would very likely have won the league back then
Got a goalie... Nevill Southall
Centre half... Chris Smalling
Looking good so far
Centre half... Chris Smalling
Looking good so far
the COWBOYS in in the red shirts must be fearing the worst 
Alan Devonshire was rejected a couple of times and was working as a forklift driver. It always amazed me how he could have been missed.
They are keeping the girl guides. one of them might be able to play in goal.
Feb 27, 2025 -- 5:41AM, second again wrote:
Alan Devonshire was rejected a couple of times and was working as a forklift driver. It always amazed me how he could have been missed.
Maybe the trucks didn't have beeping sounds in those days.
I don't think there is school matches anymore, I know there isn't in Scotland, the big Under 15 game at Wembley doesn't happen between Scotland v England, definitely does not take place anymore, they previously got 40k turn out for that match. A few good players played in that fixture, not all great.
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