Who Are United's 15 Academy Grads?

Following the appointment of Nicky Butt as Manchester United's head of academy, Ed Woodward pointed to the club's track record of success in player development.

"In the last four years, some 15 academy graduates have played for the first team, playing a total of 173 appearances - a record of which the club is very proud," the United executive vice-chairman said.

But who are those 15 academy graduates, and where are they now? Sky Sports News HQ reporter James Cooper points out the figure only counts those who have progressed from academy to first team, which means the likes of Guillermo Varela and Saidy Janko, who have primarily played U21 and senior football, do not count.

And while Woodward can proudly point to several successes, it's equally true that many are no longer at the club. We take a look at how the 15 are getting on...

Still at United...

Adnan Januzaj - 61 appearances

Undoubtedly the most successful in terms of appearances, Januzaj burst onto the scene under David Moyes, announcing his arrival with two goals in a victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. He's not quite kicked on as hoped since then, and is now back at United after a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund was cut short.

James Wilson (on loan at Brighton) - 20 appearances

The future looked bright when Wilson marked his senior debut with two goals against Hull City under interim boss Ryan Giggs, but he has found opportunities difficult to come by with Louis van Gaal in charge. Now on loan at Brighton until the end of the season, Wilson has three goals in 12 league appearances as Chris Hughton's side aim for promotion to the Premier League.

Paddy McNair - 25 appearances

With Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all missing and fellow graduate Tyler Blackett suspended, Van Gaal handed Paddy McNair his debut against West Ham in September 2014. After winning international recognition last year, he hopes to go to Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland but has played just 42 minutes of football in 2016.

Jesse Lingard - 21 appearances

The Warrington-born winger stayed patient at United, completing loan spells at Leicester, Birmingham City, Brighton and Derby County, and he has been rewarded this season with an extended run in the team. He has made the most of it too, keeping out big-money signing Memphis Depay while finding the net in two of his last three games.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson - 11 appearances

It's been a meteoric rise for Borthwick-Jackson, who started the season by stepping up to the U21s. But with Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo sidelined, the teenager emerged as United's first-choice left-back, earning praise from a "proud" Van Gaal after his assist for Lingard against Chelsea.

Tyler Blackett (on loan at Celtic) - 12 appearances

After impressing on the club's 2014 pre-season tour, Blackett started five of the opening six games of the 2014/15 season, but the defender, who has been with United since he was eight, lost his place after a red card against Leicester and is currently on loan at Celtic.

Donald Love - One appearance

The most recent academy debutant, Butt's predecessor Brian McClair praised Love's "positive" debut in the defeat by Sunderland as the right-back became the latest graduate to rise through the ranks. Now that Matteo Darmian faces several weeks out with a dislocated shoulder, there's a spot up for grabs for Love or Varela.

Andreas Pereira - 10 appearances

Signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2012, the Brazilian attacker is already on his second professional contract at United, and has been a fixture on the first-team bench this campaign. The 20-year-old capped a breakthrough 2015 with the club's U21 player of the year award, and scored a free-kick on his first competitive start for the senior team against Ipswich Town in September. One to watch.

Will Keane - Two appearances

The talented young striker has trekked around the lower leagues, spending time on loan at Wigan, QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and most recently Preston North End. He's back with United now and came off the bench for four minutes against Sunderland on Saturday after catching the eye with a five-goal haul in a reserve match against Norwich.

No longer at United...

Reece James - now at Wigan

James seemingly came out of nowhere with two goals against LA Galaxy on the club's 2014 pre-season tour, and after Luke Shaw's fitness was criticised upon his arrival, there was a chance for the academy prospect to step up. But he ultimately failed to secure a regular place in the squad and was sent on loan to Rotherham and Huddersfield before leaving permanently for Wigan last year.

Tom Lawrence - now at Cardiff City on loan from Leicester

The highly-rated Wales international made his debut alongside Wilson in May 2014, but was sold to Leicester four months later. After a successful spell at Blackburn ended last month, he joined Cardiff on loan until the end of the season and is battling for a Euro 2016 spot.

Michael Keane - now at Burnley

The centre-back made just one Premier League appearance for United before Burnley made his loan move permanent last year, and he's been a key player under Sean Dyche as they push for promotion.

Tom Thorpe - now at Rotherham

Thorpe played a single minute of league football for United, replacing Angel Di Maria in stoppage time against West Ham in September 2014. That was as good as it got, though, and he's now at Rotherham under Neil Warnock, but has not played in the Championship since November.

Scott Wootton - now at Leeds

The versatile defender made three senior appearances for United, conceding an injury-time penalty against Chelsea in his final outing as they lost 5-4 after extra time in the Capital One Cup. Now at Leeds United under Steve Evans, he's a regular at right-back.

Ryan Tunnicliffe - now at Fulham

You may remember Tunnicliffe's father made £10,000 on a 100-1 bet after his son made his United debut as a substitute against Newcastle, but three loan spells later he was allowed to leave for Fulham along with fellow academy talent Larnell Cole. He's still at Craven Cottage but has struggled with injury and has been limited to just 13 league appearances.

Credit: Skysports.com