Following the appointment of Nicky Butt as Manchester United’s head of academy in February, Ed Woodward pointed out the club’s track record of success in player development. He identified 15 academy graduates promoted to the first-team over the last four years, a figure that has only increased in the weeks since.Marcus Rashford, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and James Weir have each stepped up, leading Martin Tyler to label them Louis Lads after Uniteds win over Man City on Sunday. Butt appointed Nicky Butt appointed Manchester Uniteds head of academy With the help of Sky Sports News HQs James Cooper, we take a look at Uniteds recent academy graduates…At United...Marcus RashfordRashford capped a remarkable rise with the winner in the Manchester derby on Sunday, his fifth goal in his eighth appearance for the senior team. The teenage forward was thrust into the spotlight against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League and responded with two goals. He followed that up with another double against Arsenal before leaving Martin Demichelis for dead to notch the decisive goal at the Etihad. prompting Louis van Gaal to play down hopes of an England place at Euro 2016.. Marcus Rashford celebrates after putting United ahead in the Manchester derby Timothy Fosu-MensahThe Dutch-born defender came on for his Premier League debut as a substitute against Arsenal, replacing Marcos Rojo before keeping the lively Gunners winger Alex Iwobi under control. Hes since made another three appearances, and won praise from Louis van Gaal for saving United in their 1-0 win over Watford. Fosu-Mensah came on against Arsenal and kept Alex Iwobi under wraps James WeirLike Fosu-Mensah, Weir came on as a substitute in the win over Arsenal, but hes made little impact on the first-team other than that stoppage time cameo. James Weir (left) has been on the fringes of the first-team squad Joe RileyThe teenage midfielder filled in at left-back in the FA Cup win over Shrewsbury before featuring again against FC Midtjylland. But hes more of an forward-thinking player, with opportunities difficult to come by in Van Gaals attack. Joe Riley has made a handful of appearances in cup competitions since February Adnan JanuzajUndoubtedly the most successful in terms of appearances, Januzaj burst onto the scene under David Moyes, announcing his arrival with two goals in a victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Hes not quite kicked on as hoped since then, and is now back at United after a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund was cut short. Adnan Januzaj has returned to United after a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund James Wilson (on loan at Brighton)The future looked bright when Wilson marked his senior debut with two goals against Hull City under interim boss Ryan Giggs, but he has found opportunities difficult to come by with Louis van Gaal in charge. Now on loan at Brighton until the end of the season, Wilson has four goals in 18 league appearances as Chris Hughtons side aim for promotion to the Premier League.Paddy McNairWith Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all missing and fellow graduate Tyler Blackett suspended, Van Gaal handed Paddy McNair his debut against West Ham in September 2014. After winning international recognition last year, he hopes to go to Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland but has played just 133 minutes of football in 2016. Paddy McNair was handed his chance after a defensive injury crisis Jesse LingardThe Warrington-born winger stayed patient at United, completing loan spells at Leicester, Birmingham City, Brighton and Derby County, and he has been rewarded this season with an extended run in the team. He has made the most of it too, keeping out big-money signing Memphis Depay. Jesse Lingard found the net in Uniteds 1-1 draw with Chelsea Cameron Borthwick-JacksonIts been a meteoric rise for Borthwick-Jackson, who started the season by stepping up to the U21s. But with Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo sidelined, the teenager emerged as Uniteds first-choice left-back, earning praise from a proud Van Gaal after his assist for Lingard against Chelsea.Tyler Blackett (on loan at Celtic)After impressing on the clubs 2014 pre-season tour, Blackett started five of the opening six games of the 2014/15 season, but the defender, who has been with United since he was eight, lost his place after a red card against Leicester and is currently on loan at Celtic. Tyler Blackett joined Celtic on a season-long loan Donald LoveButts predecessor Brian McClair praised Loves positive debut in the defeat by Sunderland earlier this year, but the right-back has since been edged out by Guillermo Varela.Andreas PereiraSigned from PSV Eindhoven in 2012, the Brazilian attacker is already on his second professional contract at United, and has been a fixture on the first-team bench this campaign. The 20-year-old capped a breakthrough 2015 with the clubs U21 player of the year award, and scored a free-kick on his first competitive start for the senior team against Ipswich Town in September. One to watch. Andreas Pereira has agreed a new contract with Manchester United Will KeaneThe talented young striker has trekked around the lower leagues, spending time on loan at Wigan, QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and most recently Preston North End. Hes back with United now and came off the bench for four minutes against Sunderland after catching the eye with a five-goal haul in a reserve match against Norwich.No longer at United...Reece James - now at WiganJames seemingly came out of nowhere with two goals against LA Galaxy on the clubs 2014 pre-season tour, and after Luke Shaws fitness was criticised upon his arrival, there was a chance for the academy prospect to step up. But he ultimately failed to secure a regular place in the squad and was sent on loan to Rotherham and Huddersfield before leaving permanently for Wigan last year.Tom Lawrence - now at Cardiff City on loan from LeicesterThe highly-rated Wales international made his debut alongside Wilson in May 2014, but was sold to Leicester four months later. After a successful spell at Blackburn ended last month, he joined Cardiff on loan until the end of the season and is battling for a Euro 2016 spot. Tom Lawrence is hoping to make a case for Euro 2016 inclusion Michael Keane - now at BurnleyThe centre-back made just one Premier League appearance for United before Burnley made his loan move permanent last year, and hes been a key player under Sean Dyche as they push for promotion.Tom Thorpe - now at RotherhamThorpe played a single minute of league football for United, replacing Angel Di Maria in stoppage time against West Ham in September 2014. That was as good as it got, though, and hes now at Rotherham under Neil Warnock, but has not played in the Championship since November. Tom Thorpe (left) celebrates with then team-mates Paul Pogba (middle) and Jesse Lingard (right) in 2011 Scott Wootton - now at LeedsThe versatile defender made three senior appearances for United, conceding an injury-time penalty against Chelsea in his final outing as they lost 5-4 after extra time in the Capital One Cup. Now at Leeds United under Steve Evans, hes a regular at right-back.Ryan Tunnicliffe - now at FulhamYou may remember Tunnicliffes father made £10,000 on a 100-1 bet after his son made his United debut as a substitute against Newcastle, but three loan spells later he was allowed to leave for Fulham along with fellow academy talent Larnell Cole. Hes still at Craven Cottage but has struggled with injury and has been limited to just 13 league appearances. Ryan Tunnicliffe has struggled with injury at Fulham Also See: Butt appointed Rooney: Players deserve blame Mata targets Europa success Who is the fittest team? . The 49ers, 6-2 and riding a five-game winning streak following the bye week, also waived cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and activated cornerback Eric Wright from the reserve/non-football injury list. Manningham made 42 receptions for 449 yards and one touchdown in 12 games and 10 starts last season before injuring his left knee in a loss at Seattle Dec. . Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed on Sunday that his starting goalie has a head injury and the team will take it day by day.
http://www.vanssalestore.com/vans-old-s ... cheap.html. Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel also accused Pistorius of tailoring his testimony to fit the evidence at the scene. Pistorius denied the accusations. Nel alleged that the Olympic runner changed his aim with his 9 mm pistol to ensure that he hit Steenkamp as she fell back against a magazine rack in a toilet cubicle. . The Giants chances of winning the division were dealt a serious blow by the three-game sweep at the hands of the lowly Padres. The Giants open a three-game series at Dodger Stadium on Monday night. San Francisco is still in good shape to clinch a wild-card berth, although it dropped into a tie with Pittsburgh in the race for the top spot. . The Raptors have been outscored 88-66 in the opening quarter over a three-game span to begin the month of February. Their most recent loss, 109-101 in Sacramento on Wednesday, was eerily similar to Saturdays defeat at the hands of the Trail Blazers.We need more athletes like Benjamin Watson.Not for anything hes done on the field, though his NFL career has stretched to more than a decade.This is about what Watson did after he had took off the helmet and pads, putting words to his jumbled emotions in the wake of a grand jury deciding not to indict a police officer for the shooting death of African-American teenager Michael Brown.The result was a thoughtful, poignant essay he posted to his official Facebook page. It should be mandatory reading for anyone who cares about an issue that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri and protests around the country.Watson, who is black, was clearly touched like many others by the senseless death of another young person of colour.But the New Orleans Saints tight end was much more nuanced and balanced than most of us, including plenty of athletes who took to social media to lash out in anger.Watson appealed to those from both sides of the political divide. He reminded us that few issues are as simple as black and white, that almost everything is tinged with a bit of grey. He again demonstrated the hefty sway held by those who play our professional sports, if theyre willing to take as much time studying up on the issues of the day as they do their playbooks.Watson wrote of being angry at the racial injustices in this country, fearful that he could be singled out because of the colour of his skin, sad that an 18-year-old needlessly lost his life. He also wrote of being embarrassed by the looting in Ferguson and how some will use that to justify the treatment of African-Americans, sympathetic toward white police officer Darren Wilson if he was only doing his job, confused by those who would disobey an officers legitimate commands but equally perplexed by abuses of police power.As of Friday, nearly 757,000 readers had clicked the Like button on Watsons posting. More than 422,000 had shared the essay with their own Facebook friends.Millions, to be sure, have been exposed to Watsons words.Very surprised, since I dont have a huge footprint on social media, he told The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. I do a little from time to time like everybody does, but I dont have near the following as some people do. I think it just struck a chord and I think it just went from there. Everyone could just really relate.Charles Barkley famously declared — as part of a marketing campaign, of course — that he wasnt a role model. Rightly, he knew that parents and teachers and other mentors wiill always be on the front lines of steering young people toward the right path in their lives.dddddddddddd.But, over the years, there have been plenty of athletes who had something valuable to say, even if it came at great personal and financial cost. Muhammad Ali standing up for his religious convictions during the Vietnam War. Billie Jean King pushing for equality of the sexes. Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fists on an Olympic podium, refusing to just quietly accept being second-class citizens in their own country.Now its Watson, putting at least a little salve on the nations wound.Maybe he was able to touch someone who had no doubt this was a proper use of deadly force by an officer who felt his life was threatened, who didnt feel a lick of sympathy toward Brown or his family.IM OFFENDED, Watson wrote, because of the insulting comments Ive seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.Maybe he was able to touch someone who felt angry enough to riot over an unarmed black teenager being gunned down in the middle of his own neighbourhood, who felt that violence was the only way to deal with another racially charged death.IM INTROSPECTIVE, Watson continued, because sometimes I want to take our side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like its us against them. Sometimes Im just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And thats not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? Thats not right.Watson and the Saints were playing Monday night against Baltimore when the grand jurys decision not to bring charges was announced. He told the Times-Picayune that he discussed it with his wife after the game and decided to write down his thoughts rather than just give a knee-jerk reaction. In between spurts of writing, he took a nap, attended a teammates charity event and ran some errands.Finally, it was done.I think it shows that a lot of people have a lot of different feelings and dont quite know how to express them, Watson told the newspaper. Its important that you are able to see the other side of things, even if you dont agree with them.Be sure to read it, if you havent already.Youll be the better for it.___Online:https://www.facebook.com/BenjaminWatsonOfficial___Paul Newberry in a national writer for The Associated Press. Write to him at
pnewberry@ap.org or on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 ' ' '
