United youngsters look towards 2017

A festive break in fixtures for Manchester United's Reserves and Academy squads gives us a natural opportunity to review the season so far - and a chance to predict which players are likely to have a big impact in the latter part of the campaign.
Doing the latter is always difficult, as individuals in younger age groups will mature at different rates and progress can sometimes seem startlingly quick when we only get to watch youngsters in matches every week or so and not in their day-to-day training sessions. But here's our guide to some of the names we could look out for as 2017 unfolds...
RESERVES
Like his predecessor Warren Joyce, interim coach Nicky Butt has had to work with a small squad lacking any real balance, with no genuine strikers in the pool, and life has consequently been difficult in Premier League 2, even if the team has grafted and become hard to beat. However, there has been some success in the Premier League International Cup with qualification for the next round safely secured in the last two games before Christmas - a victory over Sparta Prague (2-0) and a draw with Middlesbrough (2-2).
Axel Tuanzebe started the term in imperious form and, as captain, has remained a key figure at the back. The way he shackles and dispossesses opponents can look effortless at times and he has bags of potential. Joe Riley was making good progress as an attacking left-back until sustaining a hamstring injury, while Demi Mitchell is recapturing the sort of swagger that saw him excel for England Schoolboys in an unfamiliar role, filling in for Riley and scoring a beauty in the aforementioned game against Boro.
There must also be a mention for Josh Harrop, the leading scorer, who has had to handle much of the creative responsibility in the team and has done so with relish and perseverance, always bidding to stamp his influence on proceedings.
It is hoped some Under-18s can make the step up to the Reserves in 2017 to bolster the team and join Ro-Shaun Williams, who has been a regular despite being eligible for the youth team. Callum Gribbin has also shown signs he can adapt to life in the older age group. The midfielder clearly has quality and must strive to be firing on all cylinders in order to enjoy a big year, while Ethan Hamilton is another who has looked the part when elevated by Joyce earlier in the campaign.
UNDER-18S
Despite the disappointing exit to Southampton in the FA Youth Cup, there remains a real buzz around Kieran McKenna's Academy side. It would be easy to reel off a long list of the promising teenagers as so many have made impressive contributions to the cause but Angel Gomes remains the most exciting of prodigies and is a no.10 with huge ability on the ball.
Fans will be eager to see more of Tahith Chong after his stunning goalscoring cameo at Old Trafford against the Saints. A wiry winger with pace to burn and plenty of tricks in his locker, he is settling in nicely and always catches the eye. Like that pair, Irish defender Lee O'Connor is another first-year professional who should be a stalwart of the team that competes in the Youth Cup again 12 months from now. Hopes are high for the dedicated defender with versatility and a whole-hearted approach.
The Under-18s will hope to cement a top-four place in the Northern division to qualify for the leading group in the play-offs and, subsequently, challenge for the overall nationwide title. Manchester City, the only side above the young Reds in the table, may be favourites for that trophy but the absorbing 2-2 draw earlier this month proves McKenna's boys can at least match the unbeaten Blues.
With all to play for in the remaining months of the season, and an interesting wait to see what happens in terms of the second team's stewardship with Butt only currently in interim charge, the developments in the Academy and Reserves will be fascinating to follow on ManUtd.com and MUTV.