COVERITLIVE.COM

12:55

TBRock - I'm starting this one a bit early because I may have to duck out before we're finished. Anyway, as I said yesterday, I would like to begin this live chat by focusing on the youth currently employed by Manchester United.

12:56

TBRock - With the recent news regarding our potential acquisitions, I keep finding myself wondering what the overall plan is for United. Our academy is certainly stocked with talented young players, and Solskjaer had definitely taken a shine to his coaching role.

12:57

TBRock - But what should we make of the new trend of signing increasingly younger footballers? Is it good for the game, as it shines a light on these youngsters and (to some extent) brings money to South Ameria/African/wherever clubs.

12:57

TBRock - Or is it merely the exploitation of naive youngsters for corporate gain?

12:59

[Comment From William]
Didn't United sign a 9 year old? That's a bit ridiculous right?

12:59

TBRock - They didn't actually sign him, as that would be illegal. They offered him a trial with the academy, and his family opted to move all the way from Australia to make it happen.

1:00	TBRock - And that's a bit different, because the boy's family sent United a DVD highlight reel. Thus, they actively pursued the situation.

1:01	TBRock - With the likes of Dodo and Pogba, United are pursuing the youngsters and offering them fame and fortune. Some would argue that when those dreams don't materialize, a free transfer to a League 2 side isn't quite as appealing.

1:02	TBRock - Couple that with claims that big European clubs are capitalizing on the weakness of other leagues, and you get a sense of the problem.

1:03	TBRock - But, from all accounts, Rhain Davis (now 10) is performing quite well for the academy. They keep all youth training very hush-hush, but he's been kept on for another year... at the very least.

1:04	[Comment From Dave424] united cheat the system. other clubs dont get a chance.

1:04	TBRock - That would be another offered claim, but it's not exactly fair. They don't cheat the system, they just operate within the looseness of it (as Wayne pointed out yesterday).

1:05

TBRock - There are regs in Britain that prevent hardcore recruitment of players from other English areas, which partially explains why you don't hear any major names coming through the pipelines. Either player's families can pack up and move to within the required city limits, or they can train at another club's academy.

1:07

TBRock - For arguments sake, we'll stay with South America... they don't have those same laws or restrictions, so United are free to pursue youth players over there. And, to be honest, they'd be foolish not to. Better to sign a talented 16 year old now than to have to pay someone else $20 million later...

1:07	TBRock - Of course, some would say that that's the only way the system works out fairly... my only counter is that I don't know if the system is necessarily meant to work out evenly... it's sad, but it's true...

1:08	[Comment From William] Who is Pogba?

1:09	TBRock - Touched on this in Wayne's article... he's the captain of the U-16 French national team... he plays for an academy... Le Havre, I believe... and, as is the case with all French youngsters, he's supposed to be the next Zidane

1:09	TBRock - Of course, he's black... so that makes a bit of a difference between Zizou and the boy

1:10	[Comment From Colin] Howdy all

1:11	TBRock - Howdy Colin... appreciate the Southern greeting...

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