Manchester United Monitoring League Two Talent

Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly sent scouts to watch 17-year-old Swindon Town striker Botan Ameen. 

The Iraq youth international has been called up by his country to represent the Under-20 side in their Asia Cup qualifiers this month.

He linked up with the League Two side’s academy following his release from Championship side QPR. Ameen is described by the Swindon Town website as possessing “very skilful ability and creative footwork to allow him to carry the ball forward well into dangerous positions.”

He notably contributed two goals in Swindon Town’s victory over Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup as well as a goal in the following fixture against Sunderland. 

The youth has attracted both Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers to check out the player, with both sides reportedly according to the Daily Mail watching him recently. 

Ameen is the second Swindon Town youth to be linked to a Premier League club today after Harley Hunt has reportedly attracted Aston Villa and Southampton as potential suitors. 

Manchester United Academy Hoovering Up Talent

The Manchester United academy, along with many of the Premier League giants have been known to hoover up the top talent from the EFL at an early age. After scoring twice in the FA Youth Cup against the Red Devils, he was bound to have alerted their scouts. 

Whilst the academy systems can be a blessing for promising youngsters, who push through the academy to make first-team appearances in the top flight it can also be a curse.

If a player doesn’t develop in a way that the Premier League side finds value, they can often find themselves cast aside at 23 with little to no first-team experience putting them on the back foot compared to their EFL counterparts despite their notable talent. 

Can this benefit Swindon Town?

With an academy, you want a balance between making money for the benefit of strengthening the first team and a clear pathway for youngsters to make it into the senior squad.

With Hunt and Ameen, two of the stars of the FA Youth Cup victory over Manchester United drawing interest it could seriously benefit the long-term future of the club.

If Swindon get a reputation for developing youngsters it could mean that Premier League sides sit and take note and perhaps view their academy as a hunting ground for new talent. 

The additional funds brought in could also boost the coffers of the transfer budget, allowing Mark Kennedy to secure targets that he may well have missed out on previously. 

It also looks good to potential youngsters looking for a club. If they see two players move to Premier League clubs they may be persuaded to sign for the Robins as they can see a clear pathway.