'United is back' - Why Erik ten Hag is encouraged about Manchester United's future

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes the level of quality within the club's academy is 'going up' after the Under-18s were recently crowned Premier League North champions.

The young Reds scooped the title on Tuesday afternoon with a 2-1 away win over Wolves. Young striker Gabriele Biancheri netted a first half brace to secure the crown, scoring either side of a goal from Wolves' Conor McLoud.

The victory chalked up a 19th win in 22 matches for Adam Lawrence's side, who still have two league games left to play this season. Next up for United, though, is the final of the Under-18 Premier League Cup against Manchester City at Leigh Sports Village on Tuesday evening.

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Amid the possibility of scooping another trophy, Ten Hag is encouraged by the progress being made within the academy and the development of countless players within it.

"What's very hopeful is that United is back to winning leagues with young teams, academy teams, but also producing players like Alejandro Garnacho, like Kobbie Mainoo," Ten Hag told United's club website. "And it's all about this, to produce players for the first-team.

"And there was, I think, a little gap in the last decades, but it looks like now United is back. The quality in the academy looks like it's going up.

"And as a result of this, they are winning leagues and they're going for cups. So they won also the FA (Youth) Cup in 2022 and producing players. And at the end of the day, that is why we have the academy."

Ten Hag congratulated members of the squad and club staff at Carrington on Wednesday. He visited the squad while they were having a