'It's a hotbed of football with queues of scouts' - the Manchester talent factory that could deliver historic England glory

The banlieues of Paris, the street footballers in Sao Paulo, the academy talent factories in Lisbon - all of them production lines for a steady flow of talent - but to the list can be added a small triangle just south of Manchester that has inspired England's journey to the Euro 2024 Final in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday night.

After England's great escape against Slovakia in their first knockout contest, it is not too grand a statement that the key elements of England's vast improvement and success in the following two matches has been down to the impact of three players developed by grassroots clubs around Stockport. The trio of Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer have turned England's stuttering momentum into a full on acceleration to the Olympiastadion showpiece.

After Gareth Southgate's failed central midfield experiments with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher, it's United's Mainoo that has finally provided the answers and the positive go forward both the team and fans have been begging for. His performances lauded by the manager himself.

"I think all of his performances have been exceptional, especially when you consider his age. We haven't really had a player like him until now. It makes such a difference when your midfield players can receive [the ball] pressed and turn with the ball so easily and comfortably," said Southgate following the Dutch victory.

After a slow start, being played out of position, Foden's influence has grown as the knockout stages have progressed, to the point he ran the show in the semi-final first half. It forced a terrified Ronald Koeman in to a dramatic tactical change for this Netherlands outfit at the interval to neutralise him.

Meanwhile Palmer's famed ice cool