rondwisan
18-09-2014, 08:09 PM
http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/5D452180B2B549D5A6A833A2AD61CC03.ashx?w=480&h=179&rgn=0,115,1280,593
18/09/2014 - ManUtd.com, Adam Marshall
Reds midfielder Harrop sets 10-goal target
Manchester United midfielder*Josh Harrop*has told*Inside United*he's determined to build on his excellent start to the Under-21 campaign.[/b]
The Stockport-born 18 year-old featured throughout Monday's 4-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford, after being selected in the same starting line-up as first-team stars Anderson, Adnan Januzaj and Luke Shaw.
Harrop had previously been away with England's Under-20s, just reward for his seamless transition into Warren Joyce's United squad in the early part of the season when he helped the Reds to win the Manchester Senior Cup. And having scored on his first start in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League, against Norwich City, Harrop*is targeting a double-figures goal tally this term...
How have you found the beginning of the campaign?
It was*good to start the season off with a trophy. It’s my first one since I’ve been at the club so it’s a nice achievement for me and the team.
You’re still pretty new to the Under-21s aren’t you? The Norwich game was actually your first start at that level…
I was getting more involved at the end of last season and coming off the bench. So it’s good experience to perform at some of the stadiums we have played at. There was Anfield in the semi-final last year and Old Trafford too.
The final pre-season friendly at Barnsley certainly showed what you can do…
Definitely. It gave me confidence going into the season. The two goals were nice, for the first one I just got the ball and drove forward. It was good to show I can do it against a first team.
Academy coach Paul McGuinness said he was confident you could step up to the Under-21s. Are you surprised at how quickly you’ve settled in?
Well, you always believe in yourself to be able to play at a higher level. But I have adapted to it quite well, at the minute, so I’m getting used to playing for the Under-21s. You do come up against more physical players but you have to adjust to that when it happens and I am feeling good at the moment.
The Senior Cup final showed you can handle mixing it in midfield. Is this another facet of your game?
Yes, it’s just all about how you play the game and read your opposition. Obviously, if they’re big lads, you don’t want to be too physical with them but, instead, play around them by passing and doing one-twos. I won the ball in midfield for one of James Wilson’s goals. I got it to Andreas Pereira to play the through ball to Willo and he scored it.
What are your memories of when you first came to everybody’s attention – in the FA Youth Cup win over Swansea City in 2012?
It was a while ago now! I was only 15 or 16 then. That was a good experience for a young lad, my first involvement with older players. I came on and thought I played quite well. I had one good run.
What are your aims at United?
Just to keep impressing and see how far I can go. Hopefully, I can play in the Manchester United first team one day. I have been here since I was seven so I’ve been at the club a long time. I want to keep progressing, grow physically and try to make the first team. I’m a local lad, from Stockport, so it’s great to be playing for United. Ever since I was born, I’ve been a fan as all my family are United supporters. I’m aware the club has had a Harrop in the team before [in the 1950s], Bobby, but he is not related to me.
Is central midfield your preferred position?
I played wide left in the UEFA Youth League last season and had to adjust because it was not a position I was used to playing. I had got used to it by the end of the season with the Under-21s though. I can adjust to quite a few positions. I’ve played right-back, centre-midfield, off the striker and a no.10. It all helps to improve your game.
How did you find the European exertions with Nicky Butt’s team?
It’s good experience when you are young and travelling abroad to play against different teams as they’re not your normal opponents. It’s important to become used to the travelling like the first team will be doing.
Have any of the older players had an influence on you?
I speak with Tom Thorpe – he’s one of the older ones in our squad and is captain of the team. I speak with him as he’s a big help and always gives you little pointers in terms of what to do, in order to help you out. He is a good captain and a good player, having won a lot of trophies already at this level.
How would you like the season to pan out for you?
I just want to keep doing what I’m doing at the minute, playing well and maintaining a solid position in the team. I want to impress the gaffer and see what happens from there.
Have you set yourself a goals target?
I’d like 10 goals from midfield. Perhaps in all competitions but it’s a target isn’t it? Someone else has got to score the goals other than Willo and hopefully I can get a few this season.
18/09/2014 - ManUtd.com, Adam Marshall
Reds midfielder Harrop sets 10-goal target
Manchester United midfielder*Josh Harrop*has told*Inside United*he's determined to build on his excellent start to the Under-21 campaign.[/b]
The Stockport-born 18 year-old featured throughout Monday's 4-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford, after being selected in the same starting line-up as first-team stars Anderson, Adnan Januzaj and Luke Shaw.
Harrop had previously been away with England's Under-20s, just reward for his seamless transition into Warren Joyce's United squad in the early part of the season when he helped the Reds to win the Manchester Senior Cup. And having scored on his first start in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League, against Norwich City, Harrop*is targeting a double-figures goal tally this term...
How have you found the beginning of the campaign?
It was*good to start the season off with a trophy. It’s my first one since I’ve been at the club so it’s a nice achievement for me and the team.
You’re still pretty new to the Under-21s aren’t you? The Norwich game was actually your first start at that level…
I was getting more involved at the end of last season and coming off the bench. So it’s good experience to perform at some of the stadiums we have played at. There was Anfield in the semi-final last year and Old Trafford too.
The final pre-season friendly at Barnsley certainly showed what you can do…
Definitely. It gave me confidence going into the season. The two goals were nice, for the first one I just got the ball and drove forward. It was good to show I can do it against a first team.
Academy coach Paul McGuinness said he was confident you could step up to the Under-21s. Are you surprised at how quickly you’ve settled in?
Well, you always believe in yourself to be able to play at a higher level. But I have adapted to it quite well, at the minute, so I’m getting used to playing for the Under-21s. You do come up against more physical players but you have to adjust to that when it happens and I am feeling good at the moment.
The Senior Cup final showed you can handle mixing it in midfield. Is this another facet of your game?
Yes, it’s just all about how you play the game and read your opposition. Obviously, if they’re big lads, you don’t want to be too physical with them but, instead, play around them by passing and doing one-twos. I won the ball in midfield for one of James Wilson’s goals. I got it to Andreas Pereira to play the through ball to Willo and he scored it.
What are your memories of when you first came to everybody’s attention – in the FA Youth Cup win over Swansea City in 2012?
It was a while ago now! I was only 15 or 16 then. That was a good experience for a young lad, my first involvement with older players. I came on and thought I played quite well. I had one good run.
What are your aims at United?
Just to keep impressing and see how far I can go. Hopefully, I can play in the Manchester United first team one day. I have been here since I was seven so I’ve been at the club a long time. I want to keep progressing, grow physically and try to make the first team. I’m a local lad, from Stockport, so it’s great to be playing for United. Ever since I was born, I’ve been a fan as all my family are United supporters. I’m aware the club has had a Harrop in the team before [in the 1950s], Bobby, but he is not related to me.
Is central midfield your preferred position?
I played wide left in the UEFA Youth League last season and had to adjust because it was not a position I was used to playing. I had got used to it by the end of the season with the Under-21s though. I can adjust to quite a few positions. I’ve played right-back, centre-midfield, off the striker and a no.10. It all helps to improve your game.
How did you find the European exertions with Nicky Butt’s team?
It’s good experience when you are young and travelling abroad to play against different teams as they’re not your normal opponents. It’s important to become used to the travelling like the first team will be doing.
Have any of the older players had an influence on you?
I speak with Tom Thorpe – he’s one of the older ones in our squad and is captain of the team. I speak with him as he’s a big help and always gives you little pointers in terms of what to do, in order to help you out. He is a good captain and a good player, having won a lot of trophies already at this level.
How would you like the season to pan out for you?
I just want to keep doing what I’m doing at the minute, playing well and maintaining a solid position in the team. I want to impress the gaffer and see what happens from there.
Have you set yourself a goals target?
I’d like 10 goals from midfield. Perhaps in all competitions but it’s a target isn’t it? Someone else has got to score the goals other than Willo and hopefully I can get a few this season.