There's no place like home.
When you think of Manchester United, you think of a lot of things.
The Busby Babes, The Class Of '92, 1999, success and lots of it.
However, throughout their years of success and even in the last few years where they have encountered some rocky times in the Premier League, one thing has remained.
Exactly 80 years ago today (30 October), Manchester United included a homegrown player in their squad and have continued to do so right up to their game on Saturday at Old Trafford where they bet Tottenham Hotspurs 1-0.
The last time United did not include a homegrown player was against Sheffield Wednesday on 23 October 1937 where they ran out 1-0 winners.
Manchester United announced the news on its
website and stated that "with talented goalkeeper Joel Pereira, young defender Axel Tuanzebe and injured midfielder Paul Pogba also in the first team, it looks like the record of consecutive matches will not halt anytime soon."
The club is notorious for developing young players and turning them into world superstars. Duncan Edwards' legacy as one of the most gifted footballers ever to grace a pitch will forever live on despite the fact that Edwards sadly did not get to fulfil his full potential.
Another homegrown talent, Bobby Charlton, is Manchester United through and through and has been a stable part of the club since 1953, first as a player then as a director and ambassador.
The list could literally go on and on...
"The iconic Busby Babes are perhaps the most distinguished examples, as well as the world-famous Class of ’92 crop that included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and the two Neville brothers, Gary and Phil."
On Tuesday night, when Benfica visit Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League, the club can move to 3,883 consecutive matches with a youth player in the squad.
That is some achievement.
