Louie Barry (on loan to Sheffield United)

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

I've never heard of Hazelden our youngest ever scorer.  He scored 5 in 17 before being shipped off to Wigan (who were then non league).

I wonder why he never made it with us, or another League club?

[dave.woodhall]

I've never heard of Hazelden our youngest ever scorer.  He scored 5 in 17 before being shipped off to Wigan (who were then non league).

I wonder why he never made it with us, or another League club?

He played too many games as a kid and got injured.

[ChicagoLion]

I've never heard of Hazelden our youngest ever scorer.  He scored 5 in 17 before being shipped off to Wigan (who were then non league).

I wonder why he never made it with us, or another League club?

He played too many games as a kid and got injured.

this is a common problem, overplaying kids when their body is still developing.

[john e]

I've never heard of Hazelden our youngest ever scorer.  He scored 5 in 17 before being shipped off to Wigan (who were then non league).

I wonder why he never made it with us, or another League club?

He played too many games as a kid and got injured.

this is a common problem, overplaying kids when their body is still developing.

Don't they play all the time at their own level though

I don't think they just sit around or train waiting for their bodies to develop they probably put the same amount of actual playing time in as anyone else just with lads the same age and size I suppose

[Risso]

Depends on the player I suppose. Didn't seem to hold Rooney back much, or any of the Nevilles/Beckham era of kids.

[Sexual Ealing]

Michael Owen was banjaxed at an early age though.

[Brend'Watkins]

Rooney had the physique and strength of a man aged 15 or 16.  This, along with his ability clearly stood out in the Youth cup final.  What helped the Man U kids is they all played together throughout their development and came through together. It’s a big ask for Barry to slot in this season. However, I might change that opinion if he starts performing consistently in the U23s from here on in.

[Risso]

Michael Owen was banjaxed at an early age though.

He was quoted as saying it was a genetic family weakness with him though. Opposite to the Rooney family I guess.

[Sexual Ealing]

Michael Owen was banjaxed at an early age though.

He was quoted as saying it was a genetic family weakness with him though. Opposite to the Rooney family I guess.

You only have to look at the Rooneys to spot a couple of flaws!

[john2710]

He's got potential, but there's a long way to go. Watched the Youth Cup game at Reading & didn't know the names until after the game. But he shot at every opportunity, even when someone else was far better placed. He's got ability, loads of confidence and a chance to make it.

Let's give him the time to develop for a year or two.

[Toronto Villa]

Unlike many of our previous young talents Louie Barry may be in the best position to develop out of all of them. That Jack has flourished despite the chaos he will have experienced is a testament to how incredible he is. But in terms of fertile ground and an environment for progressing successfully, Barry has all he needs at a club very much in a positive trajectory.

[Toronto Villa]

Awesome

https://twitter.com/villaandproud/status/1347957372984160258?s=21

[tomd2103]

Michael Owen was banjaxed at an early age though.

He was quoted as saying it was a genetic family weakness with him though. Opposite to the Rooney family I guess.

Something to do with his hamstrings wasn't it?

[DrGonzo]

Rooney had the physique and strength of a man aged 15 or 16.

And still has the mind of one now.

[Smithy]

Depends on the player I suppose. Didn't seem to hold Rooney back much, or any of the Nevilles/Beckham era of kids.

I think the more recent arrival of 'kids' into top-flight teams has led to a bit of revisionism with the 'class of 92' and how old they actually were.  When people like Milner, Rooney, Wilshere, Walcott, Sterling, and even Jack, have all established themselves as first-team players while teenagers, we end up thinking of that Man Utd team in the same way. 

The reality is the day of the famous "you don't win anything with kids" remark, Beckham, Butt and Neville were 20, Scholes was a couple of weeks from 21.  That's not to say they weren't "kids" in football term - they were - but they'd had a couple of extra years of developing physically before making it into the first team on regular basis.

I really like the look of Louie, but I'd have no issue with him being kept with the U23s for the next year or so while he develops of bit more, physically speaking.  At 17, we've no idea what size he'll be at 21.  He might remain an Owen-sized forward, but he might develop into something else altogether.