COMMENT: There's no shouting from the rooftops. Indeed, there's barely an acknowledgment coming out of the club. But they know it. Manchester United know they have a special group of players coming through their academy.
A match for the Class of 92? Perhaps, but the make-up is different. This is a group. A generation of talent between the ages of 15 and 18 with so many who stand-out individually. The '92 team, were just that - a team. The Nevilles, Beckham, Thornley, Savage, Butt, Gillespie... you could name an XI. Today's lot are a squad, but for this column, brimming with the same amount of potential.
Scoring nine goals at any level is worth taking note of. But doing so as a Manchester United team AWAY to Liverpool, well that's something else altogether. And the surprising thing is, it was an U18 team missing several players that those who know academy football inside-out say we should be keeping an eye on.
Shea Lacey, the will-o'-wisp left-sided winger, so reminiscent of a young Ryan Giggs, wasn't there. Nor was Harry Amass, the quick-footed attacking left-back, nicked away from Watford last summer. Amir Ibragimov, the 16 year-old goalscoring No10 was another absent, while son of a gun Jack Fletcher was only a late second-half substitute. Again, ask any expert on academy football about who to watch at United and those four will invariably be nominated.
But that's just it, this U18 team - beaten only once in the league and the leading scorers in the country - are a genuine group. Adam Lawrence, United's U18 manager, will rotate players at 15 and and 16 years of age through the XI. Seniors, such as the two Ethans - Wheatley and Williams - will be do the same between Lawrence's team and the U21s. Wheatley hit a hat at Liverpool academy on Saturday, Williams was also on the scoresheet.
For his part, Wheatley looks a real prospect. Perhaps arguably the best we've seen in terms of a centre-forward come through United's academy in a decade. Regulars of this column will know how we've complained about the lack of centre-forward recruiting and development inside the United system. But - potentially - they have one here. Strong, athletic, very good and clean on the ball - Wheatley is clearly a cut above at U18 level - and he's also scoring goals with the U21s. As we say, the young man has a chance.
But as do so many of his teammates. United are getting this right. Just consider the midfielder Jim Thwaites, he made his U18 debut this season at 15 years of age and a couple games later he was playing alongside Tom Huddlestone in the U21s at 16 - and looking the part. There's been a major shift in policy over the past two seasons at United. If a player shows form in one team at one level, he'll be quickly promoted to the next. He may not remain there, but there'll be no stagnating if a player is showing progress - he will be fast-tracked.
It's a policy which was sold to Amass last summer as he and his family considered his options - and offers - at Watford. Just 16, Amass has already spent time with Erik ten Hag's senior squad. He also made his U21 debut last month - playing a full 90 on the left-side of midfield. Old-time United fans would recognise a bit of Arthur Albiston in the youngster.
So United's staff have been good to their word. And others have taken note. It's a key reason why the Fletcher twins returned to United after initially leaving as junior players for Manchester City. Despite father Darren's background - and job no less - the family saw it more advantageous for Jack and Tyler to pursue their football at the Etihad Campus. And who could blame them? For this column, City's academy and their youth system remains the best anywhere in the world.
But United are catching up. There's no about that. In recruitment. In coaching. In approach. Things have dramatically shifted. Again, there's a buzz about the Fletcher brothers, particularly Jack, who plays uncannily like his father.
Like Amass, Jack Fletcher is now training regularly with Ten Hag's senior squad at 16. Indeed, the manager has spoken openly about how his approach chimes with the club's traditional commitment to local young talent.
"I think it is in the DNA of Manchester United that young players come through," the manager says. "I think about the Busby Babes, the Class of '92, and also we've worked hard to get this generation built in an environment that they are really competitive every day, to bring them through and when they get an opportunity to take them.
"Kobbie Mainoo is one of them. We, as Manchester United coaches, are very happy that a player of his skills is coming through.
"We have many good, young players and we have to develop their skillset, being in the team feeling a stronger connection with Manchester United, a real winning attitude. That is a base to winning trophies."
Ten Hag isn't just paying lip service here. Obviously Kobbie Mainoo's emergence is proof in point. And no-one complains now about his management of Alejandro Garnacho. But the Dutchman, as he highlights, knows there's more on their way. He sees it in training every day.
They won't shout about it. They won't make any rash predictions. But United's coaching staff know what they have. These United U18s are more than a special team. They're a special group. For United fans, there's more than the traditional one or two to keep your eye on over the coming years.
