Retiring Manchester United academy chief Jim Ryan admits they're excited by the development of midfield pair Jesse Lingard and Larnell Cole.

Both youngsters have been tipped to make it at United.

And Ryan told manutd.com: "Two good examples are in the Reserves now - Larnell Cole and Jesse Lingard. They were tiny, really tiny, and I've said this before - when I watched them Sunday after Sunday, they were getting knocked over and bowled over by lads who were bigger but in the same age group.

"Now they've grown into something of a reasonable size and are outplaying these same players in the Reserves league. It's been worth waiting for. We've always done that and they've been here since they were nine or 10."