Manchester United fans have another youngster to be excited about after international goal

“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough”. Even to this day, Sir Matt Busby's mantra still rings true at Manchester United.

United have always been famed for their illustrious youth academy, yet this season feels a little different from those in recent years. The academy graduates are not only excelling in the first-team, they are the standout performers in it as well.

Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho could both bring in club record fees for player sales if they were to be placed on the market, but there is absolutely no way that will be allowed during Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first summer at the club.

United sit midtable in the U21s Premier League 2, partly because their best players are in the first-team, and an exciting U18 side is on course to win their Premier League title in spectacular style as well. What is most exciting is that amid the Mainoo-mania and Garnacho-fever, it only feels like a matter of time before another generational talent completes the pathway from academy hopeful to first-team star.

Gabriele Biancheri might not be the first name who springs to mind when candidates to do so are listed, but this week he once again showcased why he should be in the running. The 17-year-old, who signed a professional deal last September, has already trained with the first-team squad on a handful of occasions, but he has a lot of work to do before he can dream of playing with them properly.

Biancheri has been a regular in the U18s this season, but has had to share the limelight with a talent forward line who have all chipped in with goals of their own. Victor Musa leads the way with six goals in the league this season, while Biancheri, Ethan Williams, Bendito Mantato and Ethan Wheatley all have five. Given so many senior stars will be at the European Championship this summer, it seems inevitable a host of academy prospects will be involved in the pre-season schedule, with some of the U18s likely to earn their first proper taste of senior exposure.

The striker, who joined United from Cardiff in January 2023, has been away on international duty again this month and grabbed headlines with the winner for Wales U19s away against Belgium on Monday afternoon. He is highly-rated by his nation, who will have to fight off both England and Italy if they are to secure him at senior international level. Being a Cardiff lad, Wales will feel confident of being able to secure his services and it probably works to their advantage that he is not the first name who comes to mind when you think of future United debutants within their youth ranks.

That doesn't mean it won't happen though. Biancheri, who grew up idolising Cristiano Ronaldo, does not lack self confidence and will be well aware that it only takes a couple of injuries for him to be in contention for further training opportunities with the first-team. From there, a matchday role is always a possibility and if he ever makes it into the bench, then why not dream of being the next youngster to make it at United.