Sign in Subscribe
Youth

Manchester United's 2011 FA Youth Cup Squad: A Decade On

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Manchester United's FA Youth Cup success in 2011 has been a benchmark for the club, with many of the squad members going on to forge impressive careers in the Premier League and beyond. As the current group of youth prospects prepares to compete for the trophy, we take a look at where the 2011 squad members are now, 11 years on.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2011 FA Youth Cup squad consisted of players such as Sam Johnstone, Michael Keane, Sean McGinty, Tom Thorpe, Michele Fornasier, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Ravel Morrison, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Will Keane, and Gyliano van Velzen, among others.
  • Many of the players from the 2011 squad have gone on to have successful careers in the Premier League, with players like Paul Pogba playing in Champions League finals and winning the World Cup.
  • Some players, like Michele Fornasier and Tom Thorpe, have not lived up to expectations and have struggled to find regular first-team football.
  • The experiences of the 2011 FA Youth Cup squad have been varied, with some players going on to prove themselves as Premier League players, while others have struggled to make a lasting impact.
  • Players like Ryan Tunnicliffe and Will Keane have had to move clubs to continue their careers, showing that opportunities may not always be available at Manchester United.

Statistics:

  • Over 63,000 fans are due to attend Old Trafford to cheer on Manchester United's youth team against Nottingham Forest in the FA Youth Cup final.
  • Paul Pogba has played in two Champions League finals and won the 2018 World Cup with France.
  • Michele Fornasier now plays in Serie C for Monopoli, a level down from the Serie B league circuit.
  • Sam Johnstone has continued to be selected by England manager Gareth Southgate despite West Brom's relegation to the Championship.
  • Ravel Morrison has played for several clubs, including West Ham and Derby County, under the guidance of Wayne Rooney.

Sources:

  • [GETTY: Image of Ryan Tunnicliffe, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, and Ravel Morrison from Manchester United's 2011 FA Youth Cup-winning squad]
  • [PA: Image of Manchester United's youth squad celebrating their 2011 FA Youth Cup victory]
  • [Manchester United FC press releases and articles on their official website, including an article on the 2011 FA Youth Cup-winning squad]
  • [Articles in national and local newspapers, such as The Guardian and The Telegraph, regarding the progress of individual players from the 2011 FA Youth Cup squad]

Read more