Introducing.... Angel Gomes

United manager Jose Mourinho will hand several youth and reserve team players a senior debut in the Crystal Palace match on Sunday.

Among those mentioned who could feature in the Premier League finale is the newly-crowned Jimmy Murphy Player of the Year, 16-year-old Angel Gomes - who trained with the first team squad on Friday. 

Gomes became the youngest ever winner of the award and is in Jose's plans to feature against the Eagles.
If he does get on the field for the first team, a number of record are set to tumble. 

Should he play against Sam Allardyce's side, he would be United's youngest Premier League debutant, and third-youngest ever at 16 years 263 days, behind David Gaskell (16 years 19 days) and Duncan Edwards (16 years 185 days). 

Here, we take a look at the emerging prodigy and his rise to what could be a sensational senior bow.

A precocious talent, widely regarded as one of the best in the Academy, Gomes has been a shining light for Kieran McKenna's Under-18 team this term.

Playing at a level that belies his tender years, Gomes is an attacking midfielder who can also operate in the no.10 role.
Described as comfortable, intelligent and assured in possession with a wide passing range, his 12 goals in 19 Academy starts this season have showcased his finishing ability.

He also became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for United at Academy level in 15 years, with a treble in a 5-1 win at Everton three days before he turned 16 in August. 

As well as being a talented and versatile forward, Gomes has also demonstrated his leadership qualities, having captained England at both U16 and U17 level.
He looked set for a first taste of major tournament football with Steve Cooper's side at this month's European Championship, only to be cruelly denied with injury. 

Signed as a 13 year old, Gomes has always played above his level at United, making his much-anticipated youth team debut for the club when just 14, against Middlesbrough at the end of the 2014-15 season. 

Born in London, he comes from a footballing family with his father Gil a much-travelled journeyman player who played for Porto and Braga in his homeland (he also had a spell with Salford City in the 1990s). 
His brother was also once on United's books and he's the cousin of Valencia, Portugal and former United winger Nani. 

This week is perhaps the biggest of Gomes' fledgling career as he prepares to potentially be catapulted into the public spotlight. 

United sign Mkhitaryan for an undisclosed fee

United have signed Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on a three year deal.

The 27 year old national captain becomes Jose Mourinho's third signing as Reds boss and joins the Old Trafford club for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £20 million.

Voted last season's Player of the Year in the German top flight, Mkhitaryan (Mik-a-tar-ian) can play anywhere in a front three and scored 23 goals- with 31 assists- in an outstanding campaign last term. 

He is very much in the United mould: all-action, box to box, strong in the tackle and exceptionally quick.
He's not afraid to shirk defensive responsibility either, a key blueprint for a Mourinho side and the fact that his impressive stats came from the wide positions was not lost on his new manager. 

"Henrikh is a superbly creative player with great skill, vision and a good eye for goal, I am delighted he has chosen to sign for United and we are all looking forward to working with him"
"He is a fantastic player and I like even more the fact that he scores and assists a lot of goals despite not being a striker" said Mourinho. 

Mkhitaryan began his career in his homeland with FC Pyunik after rising through the ranks before a move to Ukrainian side Metalurh Donetsk followed in 2010.

Capped by his national side at 18 years of age- he has 60 Albania appearance in total- Mkhitaryan quickly attracted the attentions of Ukraine's biggest club Shakhtar, who signed him for $7.5 million a year later.

A league champion during his time at the Donbass Arena, it was at Dortmund that Mkhitaryan really forged his reputation, however.
Despite a number of high profile departures and a solitary German Cup on the honours board, his explosive link-up play with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang caught the eye last season

Having been signed by Jurgen Klopp in 2013 for £23.5 million, Mkhitaryan was in the last year of his contract and made 140 appearances for Dortmund, scoring 40 goals. 

It looks likely that he will operate from the right of a front three for United. 

Mourinho's insistence that Wayne Rooney's future does not lie any deeper than a No.10 indicates he'll be in behind Zlatan, with Martial on the left and new man Mkhitaryan on the right. 

He described the move to Old Trafford as a "dream come true", and said:

"I am very proud and excited to play for a club with such an illustrious history and hope to be part of that history for a long time.
"It is a dream come true and I thank the trust shown in me by Jose Mourinho."

Manchester United: Keep or Sell (3)

Ashley Young

Had his best season in a United shirt last term but has not kicked on this year. He brings pace to our team but his his crossing is poor and too often doesn't beat a man. Has had an injury disrupted campaign and has filled in at full-back. There's an argument he possibly deserves a further season but he doesn't offer us a great deal and we can do better. SELL. 

Wayne Rooney

Admittedly not the player he once was but is still our captain and a great influence on the younger members of the squad.
Lacks pace and has more influence on a match from a deeper role but still has match winning moments in him and a lot to offer this team. KEEP. 

Marcus Rashford

The young Mancunian has burst on to the season to take the Premier League by storm, despite only making his debut in February. Pace, skill and a menace in front of goal are just three assets in his armoury. Difficult to tell if he'll keep this form going but one for the future for sure. KEEP

Anthony Martial

Has potential to be world class in a few years. Already well on his way. One of the best young players United have had in many a year. Possibly still a little overpriced, but has stood out as the shining light in a poor season for this side. Martial has been our best outfield player this term and, along with De Gea, must surely be in the running for the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award. A no brainer. KEEP

James Wilson

Currently on loan at Brighton but he doesn't look fit and isn't doing his long term prospects at Old Trafford much good. Raw pace to burn but not much else and don't think he's good enough. Should cash in. SELL. 

Louis van Gaal

Very difficult for our manager to be given a third year as - even if we win the FA Cup - there's been a lack of progress from last year and, if anything, we've gone backwards. As we see, the squad isn't up to much but you do feel that another manager would have got more out of them. Sorry Louis, but it's goodbye. 

Manchester United: Keep or Sell? (2)

Michael Carrick

A fantastic servant who enjoyed the best season of his career for United last year. However every player has a best by date and we're seeing that with 35-year-old Carrick. Regrettably, should be one of those axed in the summer. SELL.

Morgan Schneiderlin

A mixed bag in his first year at the club. Not sure he's up to it but probably deserves another season to show his true potential. I think we can do better but hard to judge at this stage. KEEP (for now)

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Injury prone, unfit and struggling with the pace and physicality of the English top flight. Seemed like a good idea at the time but past his best and easy to see why Bayern got rid. We should do the same. SELL.

Marouane Fellaini

Has shown glimpses of the player he was at Everton but has generally failed to convince and his style of play is ill suited to what United fans want. Far from popular. SELL

Ander Herrera

Two years into his Old Trafford career and I'm still not sure what he brings to us. Lightweight, often out of position and not enough influence and authority when it matters. Loves the club with a passion. Flashes of quality but has failed to convince the fans or Van Gaal. SELL

Juan Mata

Not had his best season but he cannot be held accountable. The mercurial Spaniard lacks pace but is one of this side's few match winners and has moments of magic in his locker. Class. KEEP

Jesse Lingard

A breakthrough campaign for the  Warrington youngster. Still learning his trade and games sometimes can pass him by but has generally been impressive.  Credit to  LVG for giving him his chance. KEEP

Adnan Januzaj

So much early promise and potential but has fallen out of favour under Van Gaal amid reports about his attitude. Difficult to say whether he would flourish under another  manager but we can do better. Should cash in. SELL

Memphis

A difficult first season for the £25 million purchase from PSV. Again, flashes of brilliance but has struggled for consistency and his attitude has been poor. That said, he is young and clearly has bags of talent so probably deserves another season before we can judge. KEEP.

Andreas Pereira

Who? The out of favour Brazilian is not even in the Under 21 side and has fallen down the pecking order since making his debut last season. Clearly talented. May benefit from going on loan. KEEP (loan deal elsewhere) 

Manchester United: Keep or Sell? (1)

Here at United Faithful we run the rule over those Reds who will be here next season, those fighting for their futures and those whom should be moved on.

David De Gea

An absolute no brainer. United's only world class player will be integral to the rebuild and absolutely must stay at all costs. KEEP

Sergio Romero

Playing second fiddle to DDG but has impressed when called upon and the Argentinian is useful back-up. KEEP

Matteo Darmian

A tough one. Has impressed in fits and starts but looks a little lightweight and his positioning isn't always good. Having said that, he probably deserves another season to prove his worth. KEEP

Antonio Valencia

Pacy but his distribution is poor, he's toothless and offers little when called upon. Has been a good servant for United but should be moved on. Not good enough. SELL

Guillermo Varela 

Raw, rash and learning his trade. Inconsistent but this can be excused because of his young age. Deserves further chances to impress. KEEP.

Chris Smalling 

United's most improved player and standout defender. Has come on in leaps and bounds and arguably the only man to have improved under Louis van Gaal. Defensive lynchpin. KEEP

Daley Blind

Has had a good season but often gets exposed for pace and I can't help but think that we can do better. He is not the answer to our defensive problems. SELL.

Paddy McNair

Another difficult decision on the Northern Ireland international. Integral to the Under 21s and still a young man making his way at Old Trafford. Needs more time in the senior side to judge. KEEP (for now). 

Phil Jones

Should be moved on. Injury prone and fails to impress with his reckless tackling on the rare occasion he does play. Failed to fulfill potential. SELL

Marcos Rojo

Injury prone, poor on the ball and not strong enough off it. Underwhelming and not up to it. The £16 million Argentinian should go in the summer. SELL.

Luke Shaw 

Had two injury-disrupted years at Old Trafford so hard to judge. Deserves another season to prove his worth after his leg break. KEEP (for now). 

Also KEEP: Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Tim Fosu-Mensah. Two fantastic young talents with excellent first team futures. 

Blind's quietly excellent season for in-flux United

So many of United's recent purchases have put in sub-par performances but Daley Blind can very reasonably claim to have justified his price tag.

If anything, he probably does not get quite enough credit for what has been a solid, consistent and dependable second season at Old Trafford.

Consider the circumstances of his signing.

Blind was bought from Ajax, where he had been the captain of several title triumphs, a few days before the end of the transfer window.

Having enjoyed a fine World Cup for Louis van Gaal's Netherlands- whom finished third- it had been known for several weeks that he was available.

If someone had said back then that Blind would make a much better adjustment to the Premier League than Memphis, his far more heralded compatriot, many would have laughed.

It was said Blind was too slow for the league, he lacked the physical fortitude and the grit needed for the defensive toil.

Blind has frequently been likened to Phil Neville, another player whom was often asked to fill in across several positions, but he is a more versatile and more gifted player.
He starred for the Dutch in Brazil as a left wing-back but has more often than not been deployed by Van Gaal in the centre of defence or defensive midfield.

Blind's underrated playmaking abilities has been key to some of United's most impressive victory under Van Gaal, most recently in wins over Arsenal and last time out against Manchester City not to mention a string of strong showings during the purple patch of last spring.

Blind's unassuming style, both on and off the pitch, has not gone unnoticed but he is no stranger to significant burdens, being the son of a Dutch great (his father Danny is the current Netherlands coach).
Then there's the level of success at his former club, having captained Ajax to the last of four consecutive league titles just before his departure for United. 

His passing out from the back is as prompt, precise and ambitious as most centre-backs in the league, his positioning and use of space is excellent and quite often sets the tone for counter-attacking performances. 

His price tag, just under £14 million, made him a smart acquisition at the time and he has been far from one of the squad's weaker links.
Instead, he has provided the type of solid foundation for the midfield and attack that makes you think that- with slightly smarter investment- United could have mounted a sustained challenge instead of limping towards the summer with thoughts of further rebuilding.

Player profile: Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Louis van Gaal's United reign can be criticised on many fronts but giving youth a chance certainly isn't one of them. 

Marcus Rashford's incredible rise into the first team set-up will have inspired many across the country and none more so than the latest Academy star to be given a senior debut- Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

The Dutch youngster became the 31st player to be used by Van Gaal this season in the 3-2 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford. 

Replacing Marcos Rojo in the 55th minute, the 18 year-old midfielder turned-defender impressed with a neat and tidy performance at left-back.

So who is the new boy and could he be the next Academy graduate with a glittering Old Trafford future?

Beginning his career as a centre-back at Ajax, he quickly attracted the attention of a number of Europe's leading clubs.

Signed by United in 2014, the defender has since progressed into an imposing and tenacious midfielder and is regarded as one of United's most highly rated Academy prospects.

An overseas addition who plays in central midfield and dons the no.8 shirt, 18-year-old Fosu-Mensah has inevitably- and unfairly- drawn comparisons with Paul Pogba. 

His versatility will be of most interest to the club's powers that be, having demonstrated he can play central defence, both full-back positions, midfield and even as a no.10.

Fosu-Mensah looked far from overawed in his 40 minutes against the Gunners as his physical strength and intelligence on the ball is something that has seen become one of the stars of Warren Joyce's Under 21 side.

Football at that level can be detrimental to a player's development and, at United, Joyce has such a paucity of options that he has often had to settle for square pegs in round holes.

That either stymies a youngster's progress or adds a further string to their bow and, in Fosu-Mensah's case, it has worked wonders with a string of superb showings for the second string which ultimately led to his first team bow. 

He scored his first goal for the United Reserves in a 7-0 win over Norwich and put in a man of the match in the 6-1 thrashing of Leicester.

"Tim has made a real impact, he's a lad whom was very good in the FA Youth Cup and has shown excellent qualities in his time with us." said Joyce.

"You've got to look at his strengths and what he can offer our team, he played in midfield and at the back, settling into a new club takes time but he has shown some outstanding work" the coach added. 

Timothy Fosu-Mensah
Birthplace: Amsterdam
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Date of birth: 2.1.1998
Joined United: September 2 2014 (from Ajax)

Dream debut for Rashford caps rapid Reds rise

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, James Wilson and Anthony Martial.

Added to that list now is the name of 18-year-old Marcus Rashford.

All of the above strikers scored on their United debuts and, if Rashford goes on to have anything like the impact of RvP, RvN and WR at Old Trafford, then his debut yesterday will be remembered as a "where were you" moment. 

Initially named on the bench for Thursday's second leg against Midtjylland, the 18-year-old Academy rookie was thrown in at the deep end after Anthony Martial picked up a hamstring injury in the warm-up.

The lack of preparation did not bother the young striker, though, as he showed all the hallmarks of a star in the making with an impressive all round performance capped by two excellent debut goals and becoming United's youngest European goalscorer in the process. 

Memphis might have been the pick of the bunch on a good night for United - and our young players in particular - but from the moment that Rashford pick-pocketed a defender and sped away to the touchline, it was clear why he's been fast-tracked to the first team squad.

Named on the bench by Louis van Gaal at Watford and Leicester earlier in the season, Rashford became the latest in an ever-lengthening list of Academy graduates to go on and make a senior bow for the Reds. 

Top scorer for the Under-18 side last season with 13, he initially started out as an attacking midfielder only to be put up front as a result of Demetri Mitchell's injury - he impressed enough to stay there and has never looked back.

It's been a swift and rapid rise for the Wythenshawe-born boyhood United fan.

Having plied his trade for the Under-18 and Under-21 sides this season, he has long been touted as one of the most burgeoning talents in United's youth setup.

Yet, he might have found himself in the sky blue of City (shudder!) had Rene Meulensteen not persuaded to choose the red half of Manchester -  he trained with both clubs before he made the big decision to join United.

Rashford is one of a number of players to have played for local side Fletcher Moss Rangers whom has gone on to become a professional with former Reds Wes Brown, Danny Welbeck and Ravel Morrison among the youth club's previous alumni. 

Rashford impressed for Nicky Butt's Under 19 side in the UEFA Europa Youth League- captaining the side and scoring against PSV and scored his first Under 21 goal in a 6-1 win over Leicester shortly before Christmas. 

Marcus Rashford profile

Born: Wythenshawe, Manchester
Date of birth: 31.10.1997 (18) 
Joined United: 1 July 2014
Position: Striker

Profile: Morgan Schneiderlin

With the addition of Bastian  Schweinsteiger, the second of our midfield acquisitions has somewhat seemingly crept under the radar, but here we take a look at the career of our newest recruit, 25-year old French international Morgan Schneiderlin.

Schneiderlin moved to Southampton from Strasbourg in 2008 but it was far from an easy introduction to English football for the then 18 year old- Saints were in the midst of a rapid decline having just been relegated to League One.

Despite his obvious potential, Schneiderlin initially struggled with the physical, combative approach of the third tier's more "rough and ready" sides, but, having won promotion back to the Championship, he developed into one of the Saints most reliable and influential players.

Under the tutelage of first Nigel Adkins and- latterly- Mauricio Pochettino- Schneiderlin has blossomed into a genuine talent and, in 2014,  he gained senior international recognition for France having captained them at under-18 and under-19 level. 

It was Adkins who improved the defensive side of his game, when the then-Saints boss spotted his potential and encouraged the 23-year-old to adapt to the physical side of his game- to start harassing opponents and break up their attacks.  

He possesses a superb, Paul Scholes-esque range of passing, an insatiable work rate, is equally adept with either foot and, as well as his defensive capabilities, he has earned unanimous praise for starting his team's attacks from deep. 

When his signing was announced on Monday, Schneiderlin was quick to look to the future, but he also paid tribute to his former club following his departure:

""Once I learned that United wanted me, it was an easy decision to make, I have enjoyed seven happy years with Southampton and it's a club that will always be in my heart, but the chance to be part of this squad to help this great club be successful was too good to miss."

Memphis Depay: Player profile

United have agreed a deal in the region of £25 million with PSV for winger Memphis Depay and, subject to a medical, the deal will be completed once the transfer window opens in June.

Depay has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in Europe and it's easy to see why.
The attacker was the top scorer in the Eredivisie this season, scoring 21 goals to help his side to the title.

Born in Moordrecht in the Netherlands, Depay has spent his entire career in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven having been scouted and signed by the newly crowned Dutch champions aged 12 before he made his debut (a 3-2 win against Feyenoord) in 2011. 

Depay was handed a first Netherlands cap in October 2013 under the stewardship of a certain Louis van Gaal, and was then selected in their final 23 man squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
He scored twice and set up two more during the tournament to help the Dutch to a third placed finish.
He was named on the  shortlist for the World Cup's Best Young Player but narrowly missed out to former United startlet Paul Pogba. 

The wide player's goal haul- which includes numerous screamers from long range- has attracted plenty of suitors this term but he's a player that LVG knows well. 

A pacy, tricky winger who can also play as a striker, his direct running and fleet of foot makes him a difficult proposition for opposition defenders. Depay can play anywhere across the forward line, but I imagine that he will play from the left for us, surely ending any talk of a surprise swoop for Real's Gareth Bale. 

Ilkay Gundogan looks set to follow as Michael Carrick's long term replacement, and with Mats Hummels  and Nathaniel Clyne also possibly on the way, LVG is building an exciting young side in readiness for a title tilt next term. 

Welcome to United Memphis! 

We look forward to seeing you in the Red shirt in 2015/16....

Memphis Depay profile

Born: 13 February 1994 (Moordrecht, Netherlands)
Playing position: Winger/Forward
Current teams: PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands
Honours: KNVB Dutch Cup: 2011-12
Johan Cruijff Shield: 2012
Eredivisie: 2014/15 

Below: Depay on his senior PSV debut in 2011