Man Utd academy chief Cox: FA Youth Cup winners have long way to go | OneFootball

Manchester United head of academy Nick Cox says their FA Youth Cup winners still have a long way to go to secure a pro career.

A crowd of 67,492, including club icons Sir Alex Ferguson, Bryan Robson and Ryan Giggs, saw the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Rhys Bennett and Kobbie Mainoo make names for themselves.

Cox, who joined the club in 2016 and replaced Nicky Butt as academy head in 2019, has helped restart United's production line of young talent.

He said: "This football club is built on success and youth and tonight I genuinely feel the fans turned up to show those embers still burn bright. It doesn't matter in the short term what goes on, in the long term those things don't leave this football club.

"The fans turned up and reminded us this place is built on youth. They're really proud and we're really proud. I have never witnessed anything like it and I doubt we ever will again."

Even amid the celebrations, Cox supplied important context for Old Trafford's new generation.

"My mandate is not to win trophies. Trophies are a nice by-product of helping kids be as good as they can be," he said.

"For these kids, this is a landmark in their journey but they have a long and winding road to go.

"They have so many more landmarks to tick off before they can say it's my job or my career. Can I get to 10 games, 50 games, 100 games? Tonight is wonderful and we will celebrate and encourage them to celebrate but there is work left to do for them.

"If you play for Manchester United at any age group, you're good. They are good footballers. I think everyone will have picked their favourites and you will have seen something in all of these boys.

"But the journey is never linear - someone who impressed tonight might fall short, someone who was sitting on the bench might make their debut. That's the enjoyment of the role.

"I always straight bat these answers but I am willing to concede they are a talented bunch of kids and some of them are going to go on and play in the Premier League and beyond."