It has been a memorable week for the respective academies of Manchester United and Manchester City, and for the Blues it got even better with an emphatic 6-1 derby day win as Carlos Borges stole the show.
When these two sides last met at Leigh Sports Village in August of last year, Alejandro Garnacho was an unused sub for United and Rico Lewis wasn't involved at all for City. This week they both started and scored for their respective first teams in European wins against La Liga sides.
Six of the City side that won 4-2 that day have now been moved on to new clubs; three are out on loan, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand earned a first-team promotion. It's similar for United too, with four of those who started now out on loan, while Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage both earned playing time in the pre-season tour under Erik ten Hag.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: United 1-6 City
A week ago, United made it 85 years in a row that an academy product had featured in every first-team squad. City can't boast such a record yet, but they have certainly made a start and have aspirations of becoming synonymous with youth development.
It was fitting then that the opening goal was headed in by United defender Rhys Bennett after just four minutes. It was he who captained his side to the FA Youth Cup victory back in May.
Mark Dempsey's side had only won once at Premier League 2 level this season, drawing seven of their opening 11 matches, and it showed as they struggled to keep their lead.
10 minutes into the game, Will Dickson saw a City equaliser ruled out for offside, but the tone was set as the visitors pushed for an immediate way back into the game. They wouldn't have to wait long as Portuguese forward Borges latched onto a well-weighted pass from Oscar Bobb and finished coolly beyond the helpless Radek Vitek.
Charlie McNeill is another of those with first-team experience having made his debut against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, and he showed why when he rifled a vicious effort into the side-netting soon after the restart.
It was a second half that was closely fought as both sides defended well and had to be patient for their chances to come, but soon the heavens would open, in more ways than one.
Omari Forson worked well on the left and cut the ball back to McNeill who saw his fierce shot block, while down the other end Vitek produced a superb one-handed save to deny Kian Breckin from the edge of the box.
Borges was training with the City first team earlier in the week and he might find himself back there again soon. He grabbed a brace when he tapped in at the back-post following a fantastic counter-attack that was set up by the lively Dire Mebude on the right wing.
10 minutes later it was a case of role reversal. United pushed high for an equaliser and were caught out on the break again, this time Borges raced down the left and played the ball inside to Mebude who clinically fired into the roof of the net.
United were shell-shocked having largely dominated the second half and things quickly went from bad to worse. They conceded possession once again in midfield and were carved wide open on the counter-attack, Borges completing his hat-trick with a drilled finish at the near-post.
As the heavens opened it was still raining goals. United looked crestfallen and would soon pick the ball out of their net twice more as Dickson dummied past Vitek to grab a fifth and Borges grabbed his fourth to seal the win in style.
This time the Portuguese emulated compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo with the same iconic celebration both he and Garnacho have produced at first-team level in recent weeks.
A year ago few would have predicted Garnacho and Lewis to be the two breakthrough stars for their respective sides, it just goes to show that those who regularly grab the headlines at youth level are not always those destined for the top.
Having the talent is one thing but it must be married with hard work and the right mentality, something that Garnacho was reminded of when both Ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes raised concerns about his 'attitude'.
Both he and Lewis have managed to combine their incredible talents with the correct application, and the two teenagers now operate as perfect relatable role models for the next generation looking to make their names.
Borges has all the talent, now he has to apply it properly.
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