In 2001, Sir Alex Ferguson backed 7 Man Utd youngsters to become stars - what happened to them?

Manchester United have had so many talented youngsters come through their academy in the Premier League era.

Many young footballers looking to make a name for themselves were handed their first-team debuts by Sir Alex Ferguson and went on to have successful careers.

David Beckham, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes were just three members of United’s famous ‘Class of ’95’, a group of youngsters which graduated through the academy and all cemented themselves in United’s history.

In 2001, Ferguson thought another group of youngsters were set to break through and establish themselves in the first-team.

He named seven players that he thought had the capabilities to step up to top level football.

The legendary Scotsman said, per the Sun: “Darren Fletcher, who we hope will get over his broken leg, is good. Michael Stewart and Luke Chadwick are doing very well, and John O’Shea’s doing well too.

“There’s a young left-back called Paul Tierney who’s doing well, as is Danny Pugh.

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“But there’s a young boy who has started now, he’s 16, called Kieran Richardson. He’s going to be a fantastic player.”

So, what happened to the seven youngsters backed by Fergie? Find out below…

Darren Fletcher

Ferguson was hoping that Fletcher would overcome a broken leg and he managed to do so.

Fletcher was just 17 years old at the time and, two years later, he made his debut for United.

He went on to play 342 times for the club, scoring 24 times, and helped the Red Devils to five Premier League trophies.

Unfortunately, he was hindered in the back end of his United career due to a prolonged battle with ulcerative colitis.

Fletcher overcame the illness and departed United in 2015.