Manchester United have always had some of the best young talents in English football on their books. Of course, a lot of that has come from their academy, dating back to the Busby Babes and the Class of ‘92, and, more recently, the likes of Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo.

Yet, that does not mean United’s teen talents are always homegrown. Gerard Pique, for example, was a teenager when he first moved to Old Trafford.

However, the most famous examples of highly-rated teen stars at United who weren’t graduates of their esteemed academy are certainly Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Rooney and Ronaldo’s stats as teenagers at United

Rooney and Ronaldo joined United a year apart, with the former signing after Euro 2004, and the latter joining one summer prior, in August 2003.

They instantly struck up a deadly partnership at Old Trafford.

Those early days, when the pair were still teenagers, were extraordinary. Despite their age and relative lack of experience, both youngsters took to playing for United like a duck to water.

Despite linking up for 27 goals in the 205 they played together, it might come as a surprise to learn that they only combined once when they were both teenagers, as per Transfermarkt.

That particular strike was Rooney’s iconic effort against Liverpool, teed up by Ronaldo, which saw United win the game.

Individually, they racked up strong numbers for United before turning 20. The Red Devils’ all-time leading goalscorer found the back of the net 21 times as a teenager for the club.

As for Ronaldo, the Portuguese legend fired home 11 goals for United before his 20th birthday.

There is certainly a strong case to be made that United have not had a teen talent as exciting as either Rooney or Ronaldo since the pair turned 20.

However, one of their current players could certainly fit the bill.

The United teen as exciting as Rooney and Ronaldo

The former United duo showed in the early 2000s exactly what it takes to shine for United as a teenager. The bravery and intensity with which you must play, and the pressure you must cope with, can make things tough.

Well, one member of the current United squad who seems to manage those demands well is 19-year-old Frenchman Leny Yoro. The centre-back has shone during his time at the club so far, with Statman Dave going as far as calling him a “generational” player.

After recovering from an ankle injury he picked up last preseason, the former Lille youngster has cemented his place in Ruben Amorim’s starting lineup at Old Trafford.

He’s now played 40 games for the club, with his first goal coming last season in the Europa League against Lyon.

The assured defender has tended to operate on the right-hand side of Amorim’s back three. Analyst H, who works for The Overlap, said he is a perfect fit to play that role due to how “athletic” he is, praising his defensive work in the channels.

But, it is not just the 19-year-old’s off-the-ball work that makes him such an exciting talent. His progressive numbers are a huge standout, particularly when carrying the ball.

Over the last year, he ranks in the top 6% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for progressive carries, averaging 1.74 actions per 90 minutes.

Pass accuracy

91.3%

86th

Progressive passes

3.67

58th

Progressive carries

1.74

94th

Tackles

1.91

80th

Interceptions

1.32

75th

There is no doubting that Yoro is an exciting talent. At just 19 years of age, he’s cemented himself as a key player in United’s starting lineup, showcasing excellent progressive attributes and intelligent and athletic defending.

It is certainly exciting when a club strikes gold on a talented teenager from outside of the academy.

The last two players to really fit into the bracket are surely Rooney and Ronaldo, but in Yoro, it feels as though they have someone else who can be put into that conversation.