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SPIRIT OF '99

Manchester United advertise job openings for two scouts as they aim to seek out wonderkids as young as NINE

Old Trafford chiefs are overhauling their academy after falling behind rivals in the hunt for the country's top young talent

MANCHESTER UNITED want two new youth scouts as they attempt to find wonderkids as young as NINE.

Old Trafford chiefs are continuing their academy overhaul after falling behind their rivals.

 Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard rose through the United academy to play for England together
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Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard rose through the United academy to play for England togetherCredit: Getty Images

Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard both rose through the ranks to play a significant role in Jose Mourinho's squad.


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But the famous United production line has almost ground to a halt in recent years, with the Class of '92 a distant memory.

And the club's website is advertising two assistant academy scouting roles in an attempt to reverse the decline.

One will focus on players aged nine to 11 while the other will search for talents between 12 and 14 years old.

United have already brought in David Harrison as head of academy recruitment and Lyndon Tomlinson joining as his No2.

Both had previously worked for rivals Manchester City - as had new academy scout Ronnie Cusick.

United are also hunting a new Under-23s coach.

 United's success in the 1990s was built around a team of academy stars
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United's success in the 1990s was built around a team of academy starsCredit: Getty Images
 Jose Mourinho is splashing the cash on proven stars instead of relying on home-grown youngsters like predecessor Louis van Gaal
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Jose Mourinho is splashing the cash on proven stars instead of relying on home-grown youngsters like predecessor Louis van GaalCredit: Getty Images

Academy chief Nicky Butt has been in charge of the reserves since Joyce joined Wigan in November.

Last summer United chose recruitment company Nolan Partners to identify a host of new scouts to rebuild their network.

Dutchman Marcel Bout leads a team over over 100 talent finders all over the globe.

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