Louis Van Gaal might regret that he has waited so long to blood young Marcus Rashford, who not only has four goals in two games for the Red Devils but also gave an assist in that extraordinary 3-2 victory of Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Dutchman has always believed in giving youth a chance and I think he would have done much earlier this season, had it not been for the amount of money he had spent on the so-called superstars of the club who in the end have failed to deliver.
Now then what have we got in reserve? Well, there is no way we can compare ourselves with the wealth of talent available to the richest club in the world but that does not mean we should not give youth its chance and this is where Mick McCarthy disappoints.
Our under 21 side defeated Bristol City 6-1 on Monday afternoon at Playford Road and although we faced a very youthful opposition, we scored all our goals in a scintillating first half when Shane McLoughlin and Luke Varney both bagged a brace!
Town included on-trial 19-year-old right-back Kane Smith, who plays for Evo-Stik Southern Premier League side Hitchin Town and he performed very well by all accounts and has spent some time on trial with both West Brom and Crystal Palace earlier this season so even the Premier scouts are beginning to take note.
The two players who I feel could make the grade sooner rather than later are young Irishman Adam McDonnell and local lad Andre Dozzell and if you think that names seems familiar then you are right because he is the son of Jason Dozzell, who was a firm Town favourite all those years since.
Jason was signed by Sir Bobby Robson in 1983 and went on to make a very memorable 340 appearances for the Tractor Boys.
He is probably best remembered though for his debut at just 16 years and 57 days in February 1984 and becoming the youngest player to score in the top flight of English football in his very first game!
It was Bobby Ferguson that decided to give youth a chance that day so there is real pedigree here and he is already in the England youth set-up so why not give the kid his chance?
The one time in McCarthy’s three year term of office that he did give youth the opportunity to impress was when he selected Teddy Bishop. He was excellent last season for the blues in his first season in the team and only injuries have prevented him from continuing where he left off.
In fact, Andre Dozzell travelled with the squad to Huddersfield but did not make the subs bench. He has however been awarded with the squad number of 41, which sadly is way down he pecking order but at least he is going in the right direction it seems.
Adam McDonnell can go all the way too I feel but he may have to beef up a bit before he is able to fully cope with the physical requirements of the Sky Bet Championship.
Other players that I would like to see pushing through are defenders Josh Emmanuel and Myles Kenlock because they impressed me in pre-season and could still have a future at Ipswich Town.
Frank Weston – editor of Ipswich Town
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