The sight of Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba, once teenage teammates, facing off at Wembley in a high-profile international friendly between England and France, served as a powerful reminder of their shared origins. Both were integral parts of the famed Manchester United side that clinched the 2011 FA Youth Cup with a thrilling 6-3 aggregate victory over Sheffield United. That team was brimming with potential, touted as the next generation of stars destined for the Theatre of Dreams. But the path from youth academy glory to senior football is rarely straightforward. Babu88 takes a deep dive into the squad, tracing the remarkable, and sometimes surprising, journeys of the players who promised so much over a decade ago.
From youth cup teammates to international rivals: Jesse Lingard of England and Paul Pogba of France reunited on the pitch at Wembley.
The Starting XI: A Spectrum of Success
The starting lineup from that final represents a fascinating case study in football development, with careers spanning from the pinnacle of the European game to the lower leagues of English football.
Between the Posts: Sam Johnstone
Sam Johnstone remains one of the few from that team still connected to the club, though his journey has been one of patience and perseverance. After a series of loan spells across the Football League at clubs like Scunthorpe, Walsall, and Preston, Johnstone’s moment nearly arrived during the David de Gea transfer saga. He featured prominently in pre-season and was a constant on the bench, providing reliable cover. His career since has seen him become a established Premier League goalkeeper, showcasing the value of a well-managed development path.
The Defensive Unit: Varied Fortunes
The defensive line from that victorious youth team has experienced wildly different trajectories.
Sean McGinty‘s story is a cautionary tale about discipline. He holds the unfortunate distinction of being the last player to have his contract terminated by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson following issues during a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers. Without making a single first-team appearance for United, his career has since taken him to the non-league scene, where he currently plies his trade.
Tom Thorpe, the captain who lifted the trophy, had a brief taste of first-team action with a late substitute appearance in a Premier League match. After his release, he found a home in the Championship with Rotherham United, demonstrating his versatility by featuring in both defence and midfield before moving on to other challenges.
Michael Keane successfully navigated the loan system before making a permanent move to Burnley. He developed into a solid Premier League-calibre centre-back, earning international recognition with England and becoming a mainstay for top-flight clubs, fulfilling the potential he showed as a youngster.
Italian defender Michele Fornasier returned to his homeland, joining Sampdoria after his release. He managed to break into their Serie A side before later moving to other clubs in the Italian league system, building a respectable career abroad.
The Midfield Maestros: From World Beaters to What Might Have Been
This is where the stories become most compelling.
Ryan Tunnicliffe embodied the classic loan journey, gaining experience at several clubs before his permanent departure to Fulham. While he has carved out a decent career as a hard-working Championship midfielder, his path diverged significantly from that of his more illustrious peers.
Jesse Lingard’s story is one of resilience. After a debut hampered by injury and multiple loans, he forced his way into Louis van Gaal’s plans and never looked back. His hard work was rewarded with a Premier League debut goal and, most notably, a call-up to the English national team, a proud moment for a player who persevered through the United academy system. As one Babu88 pundit noted, “Lingard is the prime example of not giving up on academy talent; his development wasn’t linear, but his persistence paid off in the end.”
Then there is Paul Pogba. The one that famously got away. A falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson over playing time led to his departure for Juventus, where he exploded into one of the world’s most complete midfielders. A World Cup winner and a player commanding astronomical transfer fees, Pogba’s career has reached the absolute zenith of the sport, though his later years were marred by injuries.
Ravel Morrison perhaps represents the greatest “what if.” Tipped by Ferguson himself as arguably the most naturally gifted player he had ever seen, Morrison’s career has been tragically undermined by off-field issues. After leaving United, he showed flashes of genius at West Ham but failed to find consistency. His move to Lazio did not yield the revival many hoped for, leaving many to wonder about the unfulfilled destiny of a truly extraordinary talent.
The Attack: Searching for Goals
Striker Will Keane, twin brother of Michael, has remained on the fringes at United whilst embarking on numerous loan spells across the Championship and League One. Despite showing promise in his youth, breaking into the star-studded United attack proved an insurmountable challenge.
Dutch forward Gyliano van Velzen returned to the Netherlands after his release, finding a level more suited to his development in the Eredivisie and later the Dutch second division, a common path for many young imports.
Life from the Bench: The Substitutes’ Stories
The players who featured from the bench have also had diverse careers.
John Cofie was released without making a senior appearance and has since navigated the lower leagues, even having trials in the Conference, a long way from the bright lights of Old Trafford.
Larnell Cole, a prolific scorer at youth level, managed just one senior cup appearance before following Tunnicliffe to Fulham. He has spent recent seasons on loan in League One, striving to reignite the spark he showed as a youngster.
Larnell Cole (right) and Tyler Blackett celebrating their 2011 FA Youth Cup triumph, a moment of pure joy that launched countless professional dreams.
Tyler Blackett actually broke into the United first team under Louis van Gaal during an injury crisis, playing 12 times. However, after a difficult outing against Arsenal, he found opportunities limited and sought regular football elsewhere, including a loan spell at Scottish giants Celtic.
Manchester United’s 2011 FA Youth Cup Winners: Where Are They Now?
The story of the 2011 FA Youth Cup winning team is a microcosm of professional football itself. It’s a tale of unparalleled success, heartbreaking unfulfilled potential, and everything in between. For every Paul Pogba who becomes a global superstar, there is a Ravel Morrison who struggles with expectation, and for every Jesse Lingard who fights his way to the top, there are several others who find their level and build solid careers away from the intense glare of the Premier League. This Babu88 analysis shows that winning a youth trophy is just the beginning of the story, not the ending.
What are your memories of this talented group of youngsters? Which player’s journey surprised you the most? Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below.
