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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 shiny.
In actual fact, the most recent resurgence beneath 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 all the time going to be a short-term transfer and his type this season has proved as such.
A substitute might be wanted and his minutes will have to 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 at the beginning of the season alongside along with his brother, Tyler, from Manchester Metropolis.
The midfielder has instantly grow to be a favorite among the many youth ranks at Carrington along 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 perfect Casemiro substitute 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 type and the Casemiro conundrum
First off, the factor that instantly pops up is that Jack Fletcher can be left-footed like Casemiro. For a midfielder who receives the ball from his centre-backs, having that passing angle is a top 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 move his method out of hassle as effectively.
Similar to Kobbie Mainoo was billed as a deeper midfielder when he made his debut, Jack’s sport can be refined sufficient that he is usually a risk additional ahead too.
That’s the place an attention-grabbing case emerges. To begin with the query of succeeding Casemiro, one must first understand- Would Ten Hag even wish to change 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 finished effectively 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 skill 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 an alternative 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 comfy on the ball, combative off it, and maybe most significantly for Ten Hag, is press-resistant.
Not like Casemiro, he can do far more than simply disrupt the opposition assaults after which move to a extra succesful on-ball participant. He’s probably each these gamers rolled into one, like Mainoo seems to be.
His brother Tyler Fletcher can 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 potential to not simply change Casemiro, however enhance the workforce 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 at the beginning of the season too. Soccer strikes shortly and with the best way Jack Fletcher is creating, Darren Fletcher might quickly grow to be “Jack Fletcher’s dad”.
