Where are they now? Man Utd's first 10 academy graduates under Fergie

Although the class of 1992 enjoyed illustrious careers at Manchester United, they were not the first academy graduates under Sir Alex Ferguson.

After replacing Ron Atkinson at United in 1986, Ferguson put his faith in young players, a tradition he carried on throughout his reign at Old Trafford.

We've taken a look at the first 10 players who made their senior debuts by coach, and how they've fared since.

Gary Walch

Walsh made his first-team debut early in Ferguson's reign, starting with a 3-3 draw against Aston Villa in December 1986.

The goalkeeper made 63 appearances for the club, but fell down the pecking order after the arrival of Peter Schmeichel, joining Middlesbrough for £600,000 in 1995.

After spells at Bradford City and Wigan, he announced his retirement in 2006 and became goalkeeping coach. He recently worked alongside former teammate Steve Bruce at West Bromwich Albion.

Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel shouts instructions during the UEFA Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou, Barcelona, ​​May 1999.

READ: Ranking Man Utd's 22 Premier League goalkeepers from worst to best

Tony Gill

Gill played in United's youth teams and made his senior debut against Southampton in January 1987, replacing the injured Bryan Robson.

"At the end of Ron's time at the club, one or two of the coaches had talked about my move to the first team, so someone had identified that I was ready," Gill said in the " Fergie's Fledglings" book in 2019.

"But as soon as Alex Ferguson arrived, there was an instant difference in that you felt you were being watched."

However, the midfielder was forced to retire at the age of 22 after breaking his leg and ankle in 1989.

He coached the Bristol Rovers youth team for six years before retiring from the game altogether in 1997. He now works as a sales manager.

Lee Martin

Martin helped Ferguson win the first trophy of his United career, scoring the only goal in the replay of the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace in 1990.

"It was just a good moment for all of us, it was like the start of something, Sir Alex's first trophy," Martin told The Sun in 2020. "I always get asked what my goal is , I'll never get tired of that. For a local boy who had grown up as a United fan, it was fantastic."

He was eventually usurped by Denis Irwin and had spells with Celtic and Bristol Rovers to see his playing career outside the league.

The 54-year-old now helps young people in Cheshire find jobs or apprenticeships and also works as a pundit on MUTV.

Deiniol Graham

Despite being a prolific goalscorer for United's youth teams, Graham only made four first-team appearances before joining Barnsley in 1991.

Short spells at Preston, Carlisle United, Stockport County, Scunthorpe and Halifax Town followed before moving on to non-league football.

Since retiring he has twice been in charge of Llandudno and now works as Head of Football Development in Wales. He recently made local headlines in North Wales for a minor driving offence.

Russell Beardsmore

Beardsmore was set for a bright future at United after securing a goal and two assists against Liverpool in his second league start for the club.

The winger failed to establish himself as a first-team regular, however, and spent five years at Bournemouth before a back injury forced him to retire aged 28.

After hanging up his boots he became an inclusion officer at Bournemouth and is currently employed...

Where are they now? Man Utd's first 10 academy graduates under Fergie

Although the class of 1992 enjoyed illustrious careers at Manchester United, they were not the first academy graduates under Sir Alex Ferguson.

After replacing Ron Atkinson at United in 1986, Ferguson put his faith in young players, a tradition he carried on throughout his reign at Old Trafford.

We've taken a look at the first 10 players who made their senior debuts by coach, and how they've fared since.

Gary Walch

Walsh made his first-team debut early in Ferguson's reign, starting with a 3-3 draw against Aston Villa in December 1986.

The goalkeeper made 63 appearances for the club, but fell down the pecking order after the arrival of Peter Schmeichel, joining Middlesbrough for £600,000 in 1995.

After spells at Bradford City and Wigan, he announced his retirement in 2006 and became goalkeeping coach. He recently worked alongside former teammate Steve Bruce at West Bromwich Albion.

Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel shouts instructions during the UEFA Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou, Barcelona, ​​May 1999.

READ: Ranking Man Utd's 22 Premier League goalkeepers from worst to best

Tony Gill

Gill played in United's youth teams and made his senior debut against Southampton in January 1987, replacing the injured Bryan Robson.

"At the end of Ron's time at the club, one or two of the coaches had talked about my move to the first team, so someone had identified that I was ready," Gill said in the " Fergie's Fledglings" book in 2019.

"But as soon as Alex Ferguson arrived, there was an instant difference in that you felt you were being watched."

However, the midfielder was forced to retire at the age of 22 after breaking his leg and ankle in 1989.

He coached the Bristol Rovers youth team for six years before retiring from the game altogether in 1997. He now works as a sales manager.

Lee Martin

Martin helped Ferguson win the first trophy of his United career, scoring the only goal in the replay of the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace in 1990.

"It was just a good moment for all of us, it was like the start of something, Sir Alex's first trophy," Martin told The Sun in 2020. "I always get asked what my goal is , I'll never get tired of that. For a local boy who had grown up as a United fan, it was fantastic."

He was eventually usurped by Denis Irwin and had spells with Celtic and Bristol Rovers to see his playing career outside the league.

The 54-year-old now helps young people in Cheshire find jobs or apprenticeships and also works as a pundit on MUTV.

Deiniol Graham

Despite being a prolific goalscorer for United's youth teams, Graham only made four first-team appearances before joining Barnsley in 1991.

Short spells at Preston, Carlisle United, Stockport County, Scunthorpe and Halifax Town followed before moving on to non-league football.

Since retiring he has twice been in charge of Llandudno and now works as Head of Football Development in Wales. He recently made local headlines in North Wales for a minor driving offence.

Russell Beardsmore

Beardsmore was set for a bright future at United after securing a goal and two assists against Liverpool in his second league start for the club.

The winger failed to establish himself as a first-team regular, however, and spent five years at Bournemouth before a back injury forced him to retire aged 28.

After hanging up his boots he became an inclusion officer at Bournemouth and is currently employed...

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow