Ralf Rangnick sends message to Manchester United's academy after FA Youth Cup success

Ralf Rangnick is hopeful that the success of Anthony Elanga and Hannibal will light a path to Manchester United's first team.

United's U18s reached the final of the FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. United beat Wolves 3-0 in that semi-final fixture thanks to two goals from the prolific Charlie McNeill and a brilliant strike from Alejandro Garnacho.

United have won the FA Youth Cup 10 times, more than any other side in the competition's history and they continue to lead in the way in youth football. Their famed academy has been one of few positives in an otherwise miserable season for the club and Rangnick, speaking to United's in-house media, revealed he hopes the path to the first team has been highlighted by Elanga and Hannibal.

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"Yes, I hope it does," Rangnick said when asked if Elanga and Hannibal have set an example to the academy.

"[I hope] that they have realised that it's possible but it's always been possible at a club like United, that young players, if their attitude is right, if they had enough talent and enough mentality, there is a pathway to become a regular player for this club.

"I've seen them play, not in the semi-final, but in the quarter-final against Leicester and I also watched the game against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Youth League. There are quite a few technical players, really good players in possession of the ball.

"If they can combine that with physicality, with speed that is also necessary for this league, the Premier League, I would be very happy to see a couple of those players in the first team in the next years."

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