One of the world’s best football academies that has produced the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham have released their provisional under-19 squad for the inaugural NexLions Cup, to be held on 14 & 16 December.
Mr Abdur Raheem, Executive Director of Kirkwall Sports Pte Ltd, commented: “Manchester United has always been a well supported club in Singapore and their academy has produced some of the world’s best footballers over the years. I’m sure Singapore football fans will be treated to two nights of spectacular football and will enjoy seeing some of the world’s brightest young talents in this tournament.”
One such talent that football fans in the Lion City could be lucky enough to watch is Angelo Jose Henriquez (picture above). The Chilean, who is the youngest member of Manchester United’s first team squad, may be part of United U19 squad’s charge against Sporting Lisbon U19 during the competition’s opener on 14 December at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Other names to look out for include 18-year-old Jack Barmby (Forward), son of former Tottenham, Everton, Liverpool and England midfielder Nick Barmby, as well as England youth internationals Luke Hendrie (Midfielder), James Wilson (Forward) and goalkeeper Jonny Sutherland. But it is the young forward Henriquez who, barring any last-minute injury, is likely to grab the headlines when the final squad arrives in town for the two-day tournament.
Angelo Henriquez was signed by Manchester United from Universidad de Chile in the summer of 2012 and made his debut for The Red Devils’ under-21 side and scored the final goal in a 4–2 win over Newcastle United.
The Santiago-born striker is renowned for lethal finishing in front of goal and was hailed by FourFourTwomagazine as one of the five best young players in the world following his performances at the 2011 South American U-17 championship.
According to the Manchester United’s website, he first went to Manchester for a trial as a 15-year-old, with the club keeping a close eye on him in the intervening years.
His progress in Chile was rapid and at just 17 he broke into the Universidad first-team, netting 11 times in 18 games during his maiden campaign. At international level, too, he boasts an astounding record: at the time of signing he’d netted 18 in 21 games for Chile’s U15, U17, U20 and U23 teams.
Fans of United would be glad to hear that the youngster comes with the ringing endorsement of none other than Sir Alex Ferguson himself.
"He’s very quick and a good finisher,” said Sir Alex. “He’s strong and with great shoulders on him for a boy of 18. Angelo has made a tremendous impact on the game in his short career so far. His pace is a great asset and he reads the game really well for someone of such a young age.”
The Manchester club will be led by former United striker Brian McClair, who is now the Academy Manager at their Carrington facility. Red Devils fans will remember the Scot as the striker partner of Mark Hughes, the former Manchester City, Fulham and Blackburn manager who was recently sacked by QPR.
Said Warren Joyce, coach of the U19 side competing in the NexLions Cup: “We are looking forward to the NexLions Cup, I think it will be a good test for the boys and a great experience. There will be some strong competition with Liverpool and Sporting Lisbon fielding teams but I know our lads will want to return with the trophy.”
The NexLions Cup is a joint initiative between the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and Kirkwall, who are exclusive partners of Manchester United Soccer Schools and Sporting Lisbon Academy in South East Asia.
Tickets starting at just $12 are available at Ticketbooth outlets and online (www.ticketbooth.com.sg). Early bird discounts are available from 1st Nov – 7th Dec. Concessions are also available for students and senior citizens.
More information at NexLions Cup Facebook.
Manchester United Team Officials: Brian McClair (Academy Manager), David Bushell (Youth Development and Education Officer), Warren Joyce (Team Manager), Richard Merron (Physiotherapist), Ian Buckingham (Kit man) & John Robinson (Goalkeeper Coach)
Manchester United Provisional Squad: Goalkeeper – Pierluigi Gollini (17), Jonathan Sutherland (18), DF – Liam David Grimshaw (17), Nicholas Ioannou (17), Luke McCullough (18), Tyler Nathan Blackett (18), Midfielder – Charni Ekangamene (18), Luke John Hendrie, Mats Moller Daehli (17), Jack James Rudge (18), Andreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira (16), Benjamin David Pearson (17), James Michael Weir (17), Forward – Jack Barmby (18), James Antony Wilson (16), Thomas Morris Lawrence (18) & Angelo Jose Henriquez Iturra (18)
Photo: Manchester Utd FC
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