Greenwood, Gomes and the top 10 teenage stars to watch at Man Utd

How many 17-year-olds would be trusted to make their senior debut in the closing stages of a Champions League knockout tie with their team needing a goal?

Such is the immense talent of Mason Greenwood, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had no second thoughts about throwing on the striker in Paris recently.

With two great feet, explosive speed and the instincts of a seasoned veteran, Greenwood’s 26 goals in 25 youth appearances this term (at the time of writing) include a stunning hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup against Chelsea.

The Yorkshireman, who ranked 16th in this year's NxGn, is understandably considered by many to be the very best of United’s current crop of youngsters pushing for regular first-team involvement.

With Tahith Chong just missing out on the age cut-off, Angel Gomes is the most experienced of the United players in this list.

Having made his debut at only 16 years old under Jose Mourinho, the Under-17 World Cup winner with England has continued to develop well in the youth ranks over the last couple of seasons and has now become a regular at Under-23 level.

He will be looking to make the leap to first-team picture more regularly over the next 12 months, with Solskjaer’s use of him in multiple matchday squads so far being a potential sign of things to come.

Another to have made his first-team bow this season, Garner has been the subject of high praise from United boss Solskjaer.

“He’s in the same mould as Michael Carrick,” said the Norwegian after the 17-year-old’s debut at Crystal Palace. “It puts pressure on him to be compared to Carrick, but that is what it’s like to be at Man United.”

Indeed, the central midfielder has the maturity and game-reading qualities to be a star of the future , as well as the organisational skills to go with performing such a pivotal role.

He has even filled in at centre-back to great effect, including in the historic 4-3 FA Youth Cup win against Chelsea in December.

A left-back very much of the modern mould, Brandon Williams was an unused travelling squad member when United pulled off their great comeback at the Parc des Princes earlier this month.

The local product was captain of United’s Under-18s to begin the 2018-19 season but has since been rewarded for his sterling performances with a promotion to the Under-23s side under Ricky Sbragia.

His great defensive instincts are one thing, but he delivers on the ball too, with a fearless running game and a wand of a left foot.

His return of four goals in 17 appearances at academy level this term (at the time of writing) says much about his threat down the flank.

When Arnau Puigmal joined United from Espanyol in the summer of 2017, it was immediately clear that they had got their hands on a real talent.

With great mobility and a hunger to win back possession at every opportunity, Puigmal was a star of United’s midfield at Under-18 level in his first season at Carrington.

As such, it may have been a surprise to some to find the Spaniard beginning the current campaign lined up at right-back, yet he has been a roaring success in the defensive line.

With the vast majority of his appearances this term coming in his newly-adopted role, Puigmal has transferred his qualities to great effect, but a recent injury has prevented him from joining many contemporaries in taking the step up to reserve-team level.

Great vision, quick feet, the ability to pick a pass over short or long range, great anticipation in the tackle and an eye for goal... it’s fair to say Dylan Levitt ticks plenty of boxes when it comes to football ability!

He has been likened by some to United and England legend Paul Scholes and if he can continue his current trend, then he could come some way to emulating the Old Trafford icon.

Levitt is another to have recently stepped up to Under-23 level, having caught the eye in the UEFA Youth League earlier in the season with two goals in three substitute appearances.

He obviously still has some way to go but, if handled correctly, he could become a complete midfielder.

Having joined United from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017 on a four-year deal, it was already clear that the Red Devils had acquired a special talent and Traore has quickly made the step up from Under-18 to Under-23 football.

His ability to cover ground quickly across the midfield third has seen him likened to Paul Pogba in the past and, having played in all three central positions in the engine room, he has proved that he can be trusted in any role.

With every bit as much power as he has skill, Traore is always a presence to be reckoned with in the middle third.

Just when it looked like Lee O’Connor could do everything thanks to his ability to play all across the back-line, he also put in a shift in the centre of midfield in the recent reserve team clash with Norwich City.

The two-footed defender carries a threat from set-pieces and looks every bit as comfortable at full-back as he does as a centre-half.

His permanent switch to Under-23 level this season has gone extremely well, quickly becoming a regular fixture in United's reserve games.

A full-back and occasional central midfielder, Ethan Laird gives the impression of a player far more experienced than his years with his mature displays and impeccable defensive instincts.

Superb in the tackle, with the pace and power to match his clever footballing brain, Laird is a constant presence in any game he plays.

Off the ball, he is as disciplined as he is sharp, while on it, he has a glide about him when he links in to attacks.

His progression this season has only been held up by injury, without which he may have been a candidate for a first-team squad call-up during the recent shortage of senior numbers.

On his day, Aidan Barlow is the most thrilling prospect in any United game he plays in.

With confidence on the ball, the attacking midfielder takes on opponents at will and has a great goalscoring records over a number of seasons.

Barlow netted at will for the Under-18s under Kieran McKenna, and has continued the trend this term in Nicky Butt’s UEFA Youth League squad, including a nerveless penalty away to Juventus to secure a draw, and a fine winner at Valencia.

His consistent performances have even seen him train with the first team this season.