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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

If ever you needed a reminder of just how strong a shape Manchester United’s academy is in, then look no further than this incredible stat: all nine of their goals on their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia were either scored or assisted by an academy product.

Amongst all the millions that the club have spent in recent years, it is their young players who have been there from the very beginning who have taken charge of things this summer. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are in the midst of a difficult transfer window as they seemingly stall in their pursuits of top targets like Harry Maguire and Sean Longstaff. But what their pre-season tour has shown is that they can certainly rely on their academy stars to lift the doom and gloom around Old Trafford.

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As many clubs in the Premier League know, there is perhaps nothing quite as special as “one of your own” coming through to star for the first-team. Manchester City have Phil Foden, Liverpool have Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tottenham have Harry Kane. More than anything, they help to foster a connection between the players and the fans. Modern football has become corrupted with it’s money-driven feel, and it is no longer relatable to many. How can it be when an 18-year-old could be earning in excess of £100k-a-week?

But having players emerge from the academy from an early age, or seeing talents who grew up in the same areas and community that fans themselves were living in, engenders inspiration and unwavering support. How do you boo someone who is quite literally just like you?

United’s academy success in pre-season has come at the most perfect time for them. The summer transfer window and the continued disenchantment with the Glazer family and the ‘Glazers Out’ protests threatens to engulf the club even before the Premier League campaign gets under way.

So ultimately this stat is simply more than just some random fact or the answer to a trivia question. It is something entirely tangible, and United are the biggest beneficiaries of it.

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