Drop Rashford on the Bench and play this 18yr on the left wing today so He can give assists to Hujlund’: Man United icon Wayne Rooney told Erik Ten Hag to drop Rashford today if He really wants to compete for this Top4 race
Drop Rashford on the Bench and play this 18yr on the left wing today so He can give assists to Hujlund’: Man United icon Wayne Rooney told Erik Ten Hag to drop Rashford today if He really wants to compete for this Top4 race
Manchester United’s academy is absolutely filled to the brim with talent right now and it could have the perfect Marcus Rashford successor.
This season, Manchester United have had an incredibly successful under-18 side who’ve won every game in the U18 PL barring one which was a draw.
There are a few real standout players in this academy group, with Harry Amass probably the standout right now, but it’s close competition with left-wing talent Ethan Williams who’s been incredible this season.
With Williams involved in first-team training lately, he’s clearly caught the eye of Erik ten Hag, and therefore he absolutely should get his chance this season.
Here’s why he deserves his chance to prove himself the perfect Marcus Rashford understudy and eventual successor.
Ethan Williams could be the perfect Marcus Rashford successor
Williams’ season to date has been absolutely phenomenal and he’s been proving himself at every level he’s got the chance to do so at.
He has dominated the U18 level this campaign with four goals and four assists in six games which makes it clear that he’s above this level now.
He has also bagged three in seven at U21 level, which is a poorer team. Most impressively, he’s scored twice and assisted once in four UEFA Youth League appearances.
Williams has scored a wide range of goals and his finishing has become a really impressive quality in his game which could stand him in good stead to impress at an even higher level.
While there’s no guarantee he gets first-team minutes this season, he should get some. Rashford right now is alone on the left, as Alejandro Garnacho looks far more impressive on the right wing.
His dribbling, technique and physical qualities make him a very exciting prospect, and one which could see him ready to soon make the jump into the first team.
How should Manchester United handle Ethan Williams?
As an 18-year-old, Williams can’t be wasted in the academy for too long as we’ve seen players stagnate before leaving the club for greener pastures, such as Angel Gomes.
So, with the prospect of a vast amount of game time next season beyond the cameo opportunity we are arguing for, a loan could be best.
A loan to League One or the Championship, a club where Williams will be valued and play in a solid system which will bode him well for his future could be key.
We’d love to see him involved toward the back end of this campaign though, just to see if he really is the real deal.
