Rasmus Hojlund only spoke of his hope he and his fellow rookies "can set an era for the club and be here many years together" on Thursday night. Here three of them were, sat together, posing in celebration.
Alejandro Garnacho mimicked West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus's celebration by sitting on the advertising hoarding and facing the pitch. He was joined by Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo. Reds fans will hope to be watching and talking about their generation for several years.
United-bred duo Garnacho and Mainoo are still in their teens but Hojlund turned 21 today. His goal on Boxing Day feels like a coming of age and he now has four in his past four Premier League starts.
Mainoo, substituted for the first time since December, earned a standing ovation and compliments from Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford on his way to the touchline. Erik ten Hag offered a congratulatory pat on the head.
Garnacho gained a chant days after his United debut as a 17-year-old on the night of the FA Youth Cup triumph in 2022. As the frontman, Hojlund deserves a backing band and the Stockport-born Mainoo can expect to enter United's tome of a songbook soon.
The youth were underpinned by the veterans. Casemiro's urgent press made Hojlund's goal possible and, bar one major lapse, Harry Maguire was commanding on his return to the starting XI for the first time in nearly eight weeks.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Bruno sees red, Onana's latest howler and United are in freefall
WOLVES fans howled 'Who the f**k are Man United?' and 'You're not famous any more.'
Ruben's successor is axed by Sporting
SPORTING Lisbon have sacked Ruben Amorim's successor Joao Pereira after only eight games.
Amorim on two pivotal decisions that swung game away from United
UNITED head coach Ruben Amorim stopped short of claiming Andre Onana was fouled for Wolves playmaker Matheus Cunha's goal.
Pep can't hide his alarm as Haaland and City fluff their lines-again
BOXING Day comes once a year but City cannot escape Groundhog Day this season.
Ex-City coach joins Red Ruud at Foxes
FORMER City coach Brian Barry Murphy has been appointed the new assistant manager at Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester City. Barry-Murphy, 48, left City this summer after three years at the club.
PEP: WE MUST ADD NEW PLAYERS
CITY manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that he wants to add new players to his squad in the January transfer window - and has revealed even his players are asking about the club's plans amid their current struggling form.
Fresh wave of injuries adds to pain as boss looks to long game
PEP Guardiola will only target January signings for City who can contribute to the club for the long-term, despite seeing his side's injury crisis deepen over the festive period.
Family tree of festive favourites
For The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside
Spending wrangles in 2025 for Reeves
RACHEL Reeves will enter 2025 with the economy flatlining, inflation rising and a looming Whitehall spending review which experts warn will be 'difficult.
Mild weather for Boxing Day swims
BOXING Day swimmers and walkers saw a grey and mild day with some drizzle in places, the Met Office said.
