‘A Star In The Making’ – Man United’s Ryan Tunnicliffe

Manchester United may have to increasingly rely on products of their youth system in the next few years as the purse-strings are tightened. It is a good thing therefore, that there is such promising talent coming through the ranks. There is already a batch of youngsters in the first-team squad with the likes of Welbeck, Rafael, Fabio and Obertan set to have bright futures in the game. There is more good news in the under-18 and reserve sides and as well as the exciting Ravel Morrison, a young midfielder by the name of Ryan Tunnicliffe has been creating a stir.

Tunnicliffe is a 17-year-old midfielder who was handed a three-year contract last week. He has already drawn comparisons with the likes of Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard for his all-action midfield performances for the under-18 side last season. He is attempting to make an impact in the reserve side now and the United management staff have high hopes that he will feature for the first-team at some point during his new contract.

The player only has to look at Darron Gibson to see that if he works hard in training and impresses for the reserves, he will be given an opportunity in the first-team if he deserves it. He has great energy on the pitch and his fully committed displays for the reserves have gained him many fans. He has also shown some versatility recently as he has been utilised as a right-back in some games and performed admirably in an unfamiliar position. He is good with the ball at his feet and has good technique for one so young; powerful for his age and expected to get stronger, he could be real midfield powerhouse in the future.

There is still a long road ahead for Tunnicliffe but he is certainly one to watch out for. He has impressed for England at youth level and is growing in stature for the United reserves. It is too soon to compare him to Roy Keane, but he is definitely a talent worth looking out for.