'The achievable dream' - Inside the special Manchester United team of the future

There might not be too much to smile about with the Manchester United first team just now but scratch beneath the surface and the stars of tomorrow suggest the future is bright.

Not only have Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo slotted seamlessly into the first team, the talented teenagers on the Old Trafford production line suggest more will follow in their footsteps.

United’s Under-18 side booked their place in the FA Youth Cup fourth round on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win over Derby County. In isolation, that’s not particularly noteworthy but combined with an astonishing 10-game winning streak to start their Under-18 Premier League campaign it hints at something special.

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Adam Lawrence's side are free-scoring in attack and miserly in defence. They've shipped only six goals in those 10 games while plundering 34 at the other end. It’s a combination that has plenty purring.

The Reds were Youth Cup winners in 2022 with Garnacho, Mainoo and Dan Gore to the fore and you wouldn’t bet against this group repeating the feat, which Lawrence says is being helped by the environment at Carrington and the backing of Erik ten Hag and his staff. The Dutchman is happy to give youngsters opportunities in training, on merit rather than for show, and has a career track record of blooding them into the first team. It's helping the latest generation of talent at a club renowned for academy success stories

"The senior staff are fantastic," said Lawrence, speaking to the Manchester Evening News. "For a club of our size we are joined up with staff communicating daily. We have technical