It has been another memorable week for Manchester United at youth level.
On Wednesday night, academy graduate Anthony Elanga grabbed the headlines with a memorable goal to salvage a draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. On Thursday night, the U18s came from behind to defeat Leicester at Old Trafford and reach the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
And, on Friday night, the U23s side showed just what they can do by beating Derby 5-2 at Leigh Sports Village to rise to fourth in the Premier League 2.
Most of the players who started the match had been at Old Trafford for the Youth Cup triumph 24 hours earlier. One of them, Hannibal had even been in Madrid on Wednesday night, an unused substitute as close friend Elanga took his moment in the spotlight.
Madrid appears to be the buzzword this week. On Thursday night, former Atletico starlet Alejandro Garnacho was the headline grabber with his brace, and on Friday, it was former Real Madrid hopeful Alvaro Fernandez who stepped up to the plate with a stellar display of his own.
Attacking players always tend to grab the headlines at youth level, but it is the unsung one with the most famous surname, Charlie Savage, who also played an integral role.
The Welshman was watched on by his father and impressed from the offset with a methodical approach in the heart of the midfield, acting as the conductor to the attacking orchestra in front of him.
Time and time again, he tore apart the Derby defence with expertly weighted passes from deep, perfectly judging the backspin and trajectory so it landed favourably for his teammates.
An early example came just five minutes in when Savage split open the defence with a delicious diagonal ball. Zidane Iqbal's effort wasn't so sweet as he eventually ended the move by curling an effort wide of the goal.
United continued to dominate proceedings and, midway through the first half, they got their reward when bombarding full-back Fernandez embarked on a dangerous drive down the left.
His initial effort in the box was saved by Harry Seadon but the Derby keeper could do nothing to keep out the rebound as Neil Wood's side finally got their goal.
The 18-year-old left-back has been one of United's brightest talents at youth level this season and once again showcased his talents as an attacking option from defence.
Ten minutes later, Fernandez almost got an assist when he picked out Shola Shoretire on the edge of the box, but the young forward saw his effort saved after he expertly turned his marker.
United would pay the price for their wastefulness in front of the goal after the break when the lively Osazee Aghatise skipped past three players and coolly levelled the score against the run of play.
Less than 10 minutes later, they would be given a chance to make up for it. The lively Noam Emeran was fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded.
Hannibal stepped up and coolly dispatched into the bottom right corner. It was to be The Silence of the Rams.
United sensed blood, and soon they would get a decisive third goal. Once again, the excellent Fernandez was at the heart of it, racing down the left wing and cutting the ball back for Emeran to fire into the back of the net.
The lively left-back held the key to the fourth goal as well. He stormed down the wing before he chipped a delightful ball to Charlie Savage at the back-post to seal the game in style.
It reached the point where it was a surprise the Spanish starlet wasn't involved when United added the fifth goal in the closing minutes of the game. This time, Shola Shoretire broke beyond the Derby defence before emphatically finishing in the bottom corner of the net.
Fernandez has enjoyed a steady start to life in Manchester since he signed his four-year contract back in 2020 and received loan offers in the January window as he prepares to take his next step.
He is starting to look comfortable at U23s level and with Luke Shaw and Alex Telles ahead of him at first-team level, it could be a temporary switch that holds the key to him taking the next important step in his development.
Having relied on the brilliance of teenager Elanga to rescue a draw on Wednesday night, there is also plenty of argument to suggest that it will soon be Fernandez's turn to get his chance in the senior side.
If you are good enough, you are old enough. The former Real Madrid starlet is certainly proving that.
