McGuinness: Class Of '92 Can Happen Again

Academy coach Paul McGuinness believes Manchester United remain the top club most likely to be able to introduce a batch of youth players into the first team.

McGuinness is steeped in United's best traditions - he was with the Reds in his playing days and his father Wilf was a Busby Babe - so he is delighted to see Louis van Gaal giving so many opportunities to homegrown talent. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is the latest local lad to grasp his chance at the highest level, while James Weir made the bench at Newcastle United to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Axel Tuanzebe, Sean Goss and Marcus Rashford this season.

"We do have some very good players and they are getting chances in the first team," McGuinness told ManUtd.com, ahead of tonight's FA Youth Cup tie against Chelsea at Altrincham FC.

"History tells you that about United with the Busby Babes and the Class of '92. Out of all the top sides, our club is still the one that looks like where that could happen again. It’s great credit to Louis van Gaal who has just put the young players into his squad. The breakthrough is still possible.

"In Cameron's case, it shows what can happen if you put players through enough things together like the FA Youth Cup and other tournaments, and ensure they are around the place and doing the right things. Then it is a matter of going through the toughening up process, if you like, with Warren [Joyce in the Under-21s] and the higher demands that come of that age group, when their bodies are prepared for it and mentally they are more ready.

"You can see the pathway here and it happens quite quickly. Cameron was in the first team like a flash. He’s had a game at Anfield now and was calm, assured and not fazed at all. Like I say, that’s because of all the preparation through the years that goes on here. His progress into the first team is a great lift to the other players around him in the Under-21s. It makes them think 'wow'!

"Playing in the Under-21s is the last step and they’ve been successful in winning leagues and that has continually been the case. It’s important to develop a winning habit.

"The Under-21 team on Monday was drawn from a few different age groups and full of talent with the likes of Adnan Januzaj, Andreas Pereira and James Weir, who's really developing into a nice footballer. If they can move on into the first team together, you've got a core. That’s what you’re aiming for."

McGuinness went on to tell us how he's been preparing his squad for the clash with Chelsea.

"We’ve done quite a few small things to bring the group together, including a social event on Wednesday night," he said. "It’s all part of team building through our years of experience in this area to build up to the FA Youth Cup ties – both on and off the field. It pulls the team together and focuses their attention.

"We’ve done quite a bit of work on video analysis as well to look at how Chelsea play and we’ve faced our Reserves in a practice match as preparation. It’s an exciting tie and you find out about your players in these games. It can be a springboard if the manager, Ryan Giggs or Nicky Butt is watching and thinks ‘He’s done really well’. Whether we win, lose or draw, individuals can still make a big impression in a game like this."