ImagesGetty Imagesou can’t win anything with kids!” Alan Hansen’s damning verdict on
Manchester United’s chances with a young side has passed into
folklore as a terrible prediction. But in fact Alex Ferguson agreed with
the sentiment in general terms. What he knew, and Hansen did not, is
that ‘his’ kids were an exception to the rule – a once-in-a-lifetime
exception. The most talented group of youngsters since the Busby
Babes, Ferguson’s Fledglings were all set to take the Premiership by storm and
at the end of the 1995–96 season (at the start of which Hansen had made his
faux pas) United had won a league and cup double.
Amid all the numerous comings and goings of players and coaches during
Ron Atkinson’s time in charge, one name that was overlooked at the time was
Eric Harrison. Lured from Everton to be youth-team coach, Harrison was the
driving force behind the youth policy at the club, a policy that had the firm
backing of Alex Ferguson.The United ‘method’ was based around getting youth-team players ready
for first-team football. To this end, they ensured that they had the same
system in place throughout the club, whatever the age group. They also
abandoned the traditional eight-a-side matches in favour of four-a-side
games th at allowed young players to work on their technique and not worry
about results.
The players who became known as the Class of ’92 won the FA Youth Cup
that year, beating Crystal Palace 3-1 in the first leg and 3-2 in the second with
a team that included Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville.
Several of the players who did not become household names – including Chris
Casper and Ben Thornley – were held back by serious injuries, while Robbie
Savage and Colin McKee found success elsewhere. Paul Scholes and Phil
Neville didn’t feature until the following year, but nevertheless became
associated with the now legendary Class of ’92.Y
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OF ’92FourFourTwo.com The Story of Man Utd 43