Man United has better days ahead


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Manchester United has floundered this season.

While the English soccer giant has shown flashes of brilliance, the team has lacked the identity and intimidation factor it possessed in past years.

Man United is currently sitting at fifth in the Premier League, 17 points back from leader Leicester City. While Leicester and Tottenham have grabbed headlines for mightily overachieving, United has faded into the background as a team simply trying to qualify for the Champions League next season.

In many ways, the Red Devils’ mediocrity at the moment should surprise no one, as they are still rebuilding after a mass exodus of franchise-defining players. For countless seasons, Rio Ferdinand anchored the back line and Paul Scholes ran the show in central midfield. Ryan Giggs showcased remarkable stamina along with Scholes and was also complemented by a youthful talent by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mediocrity is typically not the operative word for a team anywhere in the vicinity of the top of the table in such a competitive league, but this is one of the most prominent clubs in the world. At the moment, United lacks the flare and command it had not so long ago.

But United’s return to the summit could be expedited by a dangerously effective tool at its disposal: youth.

Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Timothy Fosu-Mensah have a combined age of 56. Martial and Rashford are leading the next wave of great United attackers, while Fosu-Mensah has displayed stout defense as well as impressive tactical versatility since making his senior squad debut in late February.

After moving to United from AS Monaco, Martial seemed like a project — a supremely talented kid who would need some time to develop as he learned from the likes of Wayne Rooney. Instead, Martial has emerged as a reliable option for Louis van Gaal. He has bagged 13 goals in all competitions this season and has even drawn comparisons to his compatriot Thierry Henry, a legend for both Arsenal and the French national team.

Martial was not the only United infant to dazzle with a deft touch, searing pace and composure in front of goal.

Rashford came out of the woodwork — otherwise known as the United Youth Academy — and scored two goals in his first game. In the next game, he scored two against Arsenal at Old Trafford. He had sent the faithful into a frenzy not only because he had helped his team to victory over the Gunners but also because United fans knew this coaching staff had unearthed an absolute gem.

While Martial and Rashford have made a real impact and have scored some meaningful goals thus far — like Rashford’s rip against West Ham last week in the FA Cup — Fosu-Mensah has the ability to play virtually anywhere on the pitch.

Against Tottenham in a Premier League clash earlier this month, Fosu-Mensah was forced to exit the match early due to injury. For 68 minutes, he had contained Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen by balancing discipline with strong tackling. However, two minutes after he exited the match, his flank went under siege. The area he had previously occupied looked eerily vulnerable.

Just after Fosu-Mensah departed, Tottenham scored 3 goals in six minutes.

Martial, Rashford and Fosu-Mensah have the ability to influence games. So while United as a whole continues to look like a shell of its former self, the young pieces are giving fans serious reason to be optimistic. United could win the FA Cup this season. It could also cap off the campaign with the good news of Champions League qualification for the 2016-17 campaign.

But the future is too bright to ignore. The beast is young, fearless and rapidly maturing. A handful of kids have made Manchester United a must-watch team once again.

Josh Cohen is a sophomore majoring in broadcast and digital journalism. His column, “Cohen’s Corner,” runs Tuesdays.