Former United favourite: City fail to develop local players
Manchester City have been accused of failure to provide opportunities for players from their own youth system.
City have sauntered to the Premier League title this season, but the only members of their current first-team squad who were developed in the club’s own youth system are Phil Foden, Tosin Adarabioyo and Brahim Diaz.
None of that trio have featured regularly under Pep Guardiola, whereas Jose Mourinho has given chances to Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay at Manchester United.
Former United defender Rafael believes that the club deserve praise for prioritising the development of their own players.
“Of course United buy players, but they also promoted lots of players from the youth system,” Rafael told ESPN.
“City don’t do this. It’s bad. You have to give opportunities to young players from your city, from your house. Imagine if you have children and you don’t make them go to college. You have to trust your children, to give them a chance, but City obviously think differently.
“Look at the United team now: Jesse [Lingard], Paul [Pogba], Marcus Rashford and others.”