Three 2022 Youth Cup winners have been given the chance to shine in Manchester United’s team against Everton.

As the dust settles on Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Everton on Sunday afternoon, it is worth noting that three members of United’s triumphant 2022 Youth Cup team were included in the matchday squad.

Two of those players made significant contributions to the outcome and appear to be two of the most promising tales to follow this season from the standpoint of a Manchester United supporter.

According to some, Alejandro Garnacho struck “the best overhead kick ever” in the third minute, breaking the tie.

Another member of the triumphant Youth Cup team’s starting lineup, Kobbie Mainoo, had analysts waxing lyrical about the 18-year-old’s afternoon’s effort. Ian Wright said he just thought “wow,” and Roy Keane, who is famously difficult to please, said it was difficult not to be excited about the midfielder’s whole debut.

The third player was striker Joe Hugill, who came off the bench due to Rasmus Hojlund’s injury. The kid didn’t receive much of an opportunity on the field, but after scoring during United’s pre-season tour, the attacker will be hoping for more opportunities with the first team.

Manchester United’s young team defeated Nottingham Forest in the coveted young Cup final at Old Trafford in May 2022. The Red Devils won 3-1 on the night, with to goals from Rhys Bennett and Alejandro Garnacho. It would be the 11th time the club has won the cup, and the first time since a triumph led by Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard in 2011.

The Old Trafford club has a distinguished tradition of developing young players, and the academy has produced some of the game’s best players. United’s dedication to youngsters may be demonstrated in their unrivaled record of include an academy graduate in every squad since October 30, 1937.

In reality, four academy-grown players, including Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay, started the game. Another player, Hannibal Mejbri, was on the bench, bringing the total to six, including Garnacho, Mainoo, and Hugill.

Furthermore, four more players in the matchday 18 were not part of the Manchester United junior system but were signed for the first team as teens. Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, and Diogo Dalot are their names.

To demonstrate the club’s youth system’s production power, two of Everton’s starters and one bench option came through the ranks at United. Michael Keane, a former Youth Cup winner, and James Garner.

The team and their decision to abandon the program have recently come under fire. Erik ten Hag has spent a lot of money since his arrival in May 2022. The Dutch manager has spent £407 million on new acquisitions and has been chastised for dumping youngsters like James Garner much too early in order to fund moves for inferior players from other teams’ academies.

Nonetheless, the game on Sunday presented a road map for the future. The roles of Mainoo and Garnacho show that United’s youth system is still in place and, if utilized, can be a valuable asset to the team. While splurging on talent is required to achieve the top, opportunities should still be offered to the academy’s best. It’s in the club’s blood.

Finally, with the under-18 team on fire and tremendous talents like 16-year-old Shea Lacey at the club, there is enough to be thrilled about. If not allowed to fester, the youth system will continue to thrive and generate first-team talent, as it has since 1937.