Is Appleton the Man?

Yesterday we spoke about the possibility of some major attention being focussed on our academy after a slump in form had seen them lose ten successive games, including a 5-1 mauling at the hands of Chelsea, in the FA Youth Cup, last Friday evening.

Well it seems matters continue to nose-dive with the U18 side losing to Manchester City making it eleventh successive defeats.

This morning, one name being put forward is that of Michael Appleton.

Appleton is currently in the managerial hot-seat at Oxford United, but the 40-year-old has ties with Old Trafford.

Appleton came through the Manchester United youth system and played for United on two occasions during the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson before leaving to enjoy a playing career at Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion.

Could Appleton be the man to turn around the flagging fortunes of our U18 academy and produce, somewhere down the line, a new version of the hugely successful Class of 92?