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It’s a heartening sight for Manchester United followers that even within the post-Sir Alex Ferguson malaise on the membership, the academy has continued to shine vibrant.
The truth is, the most recent resurgence underneath Erik ten Hag is being pushed by the characters developed at Carrington within the type of Alejandro Garnacho, Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo, and extra.
Erik ten Hag warrants reward for his dealing with of the academy merchandise and with a possible downside place popping up within the first-team quickly, a brand new prospect could possibly be ready within the wings.
Casemiro, who was signed on the age of 30, was at all times going to be a short-term transfer and his kind this season has proved as such.
A alternative might be wanted and his minutes will should be managed in a season or two at most.
Simply in time for Jack Fletcher’s introduction to the first-team image. The son of United fan-favourite Darren Fletcher, Jack joined United initially of the season alongside together with his brother, Tyler, from Manchester Metropolis.
The midfielder has instantly turn into a favorite among the many youth ranks at Carrington together with his full profile as a midfielder.
In his first season with the U18s, aged simply 16, Jack has performed simply 31% of all obtainable minutes in 5 appearances, however nonetheless managed to contribute a objective and two assists.
So, how is Jack Fletcher the best Casemiro alternative in the long run? Right here’s a have a look at the profile of Darren Fletcher’s son-
Jack Fletcher’s taking part in model and the Casemiro conundrum
First off, the factor that instantly pops up is that Jack Fletcher can also be left-footed like Casemiro. For a midfielder who receives the ball from his centre-backs, having that passing angle is a high quality valued extremely by Erik ten Hag.
On the U18s degree, Jack has performed primarily as a central midfielder as a substitute of a deeper function however has acted as an all-action dynamo.
He crashes the field for opportunistic finishes, has an affinity for a sort out in defence, and might play one-twos to cross his method out of hassle as nicely.
Identical to Kobbie Mainoo was billed as a deeper midfielder when he made his debut, Jack’s sport can also be refined sufficient that he could be a menace additional ahead too.
That’s the place an attention-grabbing case emerges. To start out with the query of succeeding Casemiro, one must first understand- Would Ten Hag even need to exchange Casemiro?
It’s price noting that the Brazilian was a panic purchase after United had didn’t land Frenkie de Jong.
The previous Actual Madrid man has executed nicely at United, however he isn’t what Ten Hag desires from his deepest midfielder, one thing fairly clear to see when he waxes lyrical about Mainoo’s buildup and talent to take the ball from his defenders to progress play.
In Mainoo and a few years down the road, Jack Fletcher, Ten Hag may have two midfielders whose skillsets are tailored for the type of soccer he desires to ideally implement on the membership.
As a substitute of getting a “destroyer” in Casemiro together with a ball progressor, the Fletcher-Mainoo pivot in a 4-2-3-1 will as a substitute have two midfielders who’re full of their profile.
Soccer has transitioned away from a sport of specialists and Fletcher’s training within the academy has been holistic. He’s snug on the ball, combative off it, and maybe most significantly for Ten Hag, is press-resistant.
In contrast to Casemiro, he can do way more than simply disrupt the opposition assaults after which cross to a extra succesful on-ball participant. He’s doubtlessly each these gamers rolled into one, like Mainoo appears to be like to be.
His brother Tyler Fletcher can also be a midfielder following his footsteps though he’s a bit much less established within the setup proper now.
Finally, Jack’s USP lies in his means to not simply exchange Casemiro, however enhance the crew dynamic whereas doing so. After all, proper now, there’s no evaluating the extent of a 16-year-old child with somebody who has gained 5 Champions League titles.
However then once more, that notion appeared ridiculous about Mainoo-Casemiro comparisons initially of the season too. Football moves quickly and with the best way Jack Fletcher is growing, Darren Fletcher might quickly turn into “Jack Fletcher’s dad”.
