Following the appointment of Nicky Butt as Manchester United’s head of academy in February, Ed Woodward pointed out the club’s track record of success in player development. He identified 15 academy graduates promoted to the first-team over the last four years, a figure that has only increased in the weeks since.Marcus Rashford, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and James Weir have each stepped up, leading Martin Tyler to label them Louis Lads after Uniteds win over Man City on Sunday. Butt appointed Nicky Butt appointed Manchester Uniteds head of academy With the help of Sky Sports News HQs James Cooper, we take a look at Uniteds recent academy graduates…At United...Marcus RashfordRashford capped a remarkable rise with the winner in the Manchester derby on Sunday, his fifth goal in his eighth appearance for the senior team. The teenage forward was thrust into the spotlight against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League and responded with two goals. He followed that up with another double against Arsenal before leaving Martin Demichelis for dead to notch the decisive goal at the Etihad. prompting Louis van Gaal to play down hopes of an England place at Euro 2016.. Marcus Rashford celebrates after putting United ahead in the Manchester derby Timothy Fosu-MensahThe Dutch-born defender came on for his Premier League debut as a substitute against Arsenal, replacing Marcos Rojo before keeping the lively Gunners winger Alex Iwobi under control. Hes since made another three appearances, and won praise from Louis van Gaal for saving United in their 1-0 win over Watford. Fosu-Mensah came on against Arsenal and kept Alex Iwobi under wraps James WeirLike Fosu-Mensah, Weir came on as a substitute in the win over Arsenal, but hes made little impact on the first-team other than that stoppage time cameo. James Weir (left) has been on the fringes of the first-team squad Joe RileyThe teenage midfielder filled in at left-back in the FA Cup win over Shrewsbury before featuring again against FC Midtjylland. But hes more of an forward-thinking player, with opportunities difficult to come by in Van Gaals attack. Joe Riley has made a handful of appearances in cup competitions since February Adnan JanuzajUndoubtedly the most successful in terms of appearances, Januzaj burst onto the scene under David Moyes, announcing his arrival with two goals in a victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Hes not quite kicked on as hoped since then, and is now back at United after a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund was cut short. Adnan Januzaj has returned to United after a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund James Wilson (on loan at Brighton)The future looked bright when Wilson marked his senior debut with two goals against Hull City under interim boss Ryan Giggs, but he has found opportunities difficult to come by with Louis van Gaal in charge. Now on loan at Brighton until the end of the season, Wilson has four goals in 18 league appearances as Chris Hughtons side aim for promotion to the Premier League.Paddy McNairWith Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all missing and fellow graduate Tyler Blackett suspended, Van Gaal handed Paddy McNair his debut against West Ham in September 2014. After winning international recognition last year, he hopes to go to Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland but has played just 133 minutes of football in 2016. Paddy McNair was handed his chance after a defensive injury crisis Jesse LingardThe Warrington-born winger stayed patient at United, completing loan spells at Leicester, Birmingham City, Brighton and Derby County, and he has been rewarded this season with an extended run in the team. He has made the most of it too, keeping out big-money signing Memphis Depay. Jesse Lingard found the net in Uniteds 1-1 draw with Chelsea Cameron Borthwick-JacksonIts been a meteoric rise for Borthwick-Jackson, who started the season by stepping up to the U21s. But with Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo sidelined, the teenager emerged as Uniteds first-choice left-back, earning praise from a proud Van Gaal after his assist for Lingard against Chelsea.Tyler Blackett (on loan at Celtic)After impressing on the clubs 2014 pre-season tour, Blackett started five of the opening six games of the 2014/15 season, but the defender, who has been with United since he was eight, lost his place after a red card against Leicester and is currently on loan at Celtic. Tyler Blackett joined Celtic on a season-long loan Donald LoveButts predecessor Brian McClair praised Loves positive debut in the defeat by Sunderland earlier this year, but the right-back has since been edged out by Guillermo Varela.Andreas PereiraSigned from PSV Eindhoven in 2012, the Brazilian attacker is already on his second professional contract at United, and has been a fixture on the first-team bench this campaign. The 20-year-old capped a breakthrough 2015 with the clubs U21 player of the year award, and scored a free-kick on his first competitive start for the senior team against Ipswich Town in September. One to watch. Andreas Pereira has agreed a new contract with Manchester United Will KeaneThe talented young striker has trekked around the lower leagues, spending time on loan at Wigan, QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and most recently Preston North End. Hes back with United now and came off the bench for four minutes against Sunderland after catching the eye with a five-goal haul in a reserve match against Norwich.No longer at United...Reece James - now at WiganJames seemingly came out of nowhere with two goals against LA Galaxy on the clubs 2014 pre-season tour, and after Luke Shaws fitness was criticised upon his arrival, there was a chance for the academy prospect to step up. But he ultimately failed to secure a regular place in the squad and was sent on loan to Rotherham and Huddersfield before leaving permanently for Wigan last year.Tom Lawrence - now at Cardiff City on loan from LeicesterThe highly-rated Wales international made his debut alongside Wilson in May 2014, but was sold to Leicester four months later. After a successful spell at Blackburn ended last month, he joined Cardiff on loan until the end of the season and is battling for a Euro 2016 spot. Tom Lawrence is hoping to make a case for Euro 2016 inclusion Michael Keane - now at BurnleyThe centre-back made just one Premier League appearance for United before Burnley made his loan move permanent last year, and hes been a key player under Sean Dyche as they push for promotion.Tom Thorpe - now at RotherhamThorpe played a single minute of league football for United, replacing Angel Di Maria in stoppage time against West Ham in September 2014. That was as good as it got, though, and hes now at Rotherham under Neil Warnock, but has not played in the Championship since November. Tom Thorpe (left) celebrates with then team-mates Paul Pogba (middle) and Jesse Lingard (right) in 2011 Scott Wootton - now at LeedsThe versatile defender made three senior appearances for United, conceding an injury-time penalty against Chelsea in his final outing as they lost 5-4 after extra time in the Capital One Cup. Now at Leeds United under Steve Evans, hes a regular at right-back.Ryan Tunnicliffe - now at FulhamYou may remember Tunnicliffes father made £10,000 on a 100-1 bet after his son made his United debut as a substitute against Newcastle, but three loan spells later he was allowed to leave for Fulham along with fellow academy talent Larnell Cole. Hes still at Craven Cottage but has struggled with injury and has been limited to just 13 league appearances. Ryan Tunnicliffe has struggled with injury at Fulham Also See: Butt appointed Rooney: Players deserve blame Mata targets Europa success Who is the fittest team? Bobby Hebert Jersey . - The Seattle Seahawks have signed nine players to 2014 future contracts, including quarterback B. New Orleans Saints Jerseys . Louis Blues and back into top spot of the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings. The Sharks had been ranked No. http://www.shoptheofficialsaints.com/Elite-Rickey-Jackson-Saints-Jersey/ . That was OK with him. He was just happy his team came away with two points. Letestu redirected Jack Johnsons shot from the point with 2:38 left, lifting the Blue Jackets past the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Monday night. Willie Roaf Jersey . Obasi chested the ball past one defender, prodded it past another and then rounded the keeper before scoring from a tight angle in the 16th minute. Seconds after the restart, Obasi set up Klaas Jan Huntelaar for the Dutchmans 11th goal from 13 games this season. Custom New Orleans Saints Jerseys . The Tinkoff-Saxo rider was still dealing with the right shin he broke in a crash which ended his Tour de France on Stage 10. He hoped to defy his doctors and race in the home Grand Tour he won in 2008 and 2012, but he says there have been complications in his recovery.TORONTO - 12 months ago DeMar DeRozan carried the weight of an expiring contract into training camp as he prepped for his fourth NBA season with the Raptors. In many ways he was a different person with different responsibilities, different motivations. He had a lot to prove but he wasnt fully ready to prove it, not like he is now. He was still a young man. A year later, DeRozan finds himself in a similar setting - looking to end the Raptors playoff drought and reach the postseason for the first time in his professional career - but as training camp winds down and the regular season approaches, he appears to be a noticeably changed man. Now, hes a young adult. Fresh off the most eventful year of his life, the 24-year-old says he feels a lot older than his age suggests. The day after opening night will mark the one-year anniversary since DeRozan signed a $38 million extension keeping him in Toronto through the 2016-17 season. Since inking his new contact he put up career numbers playing in all 82 games last year, he participated in Team USAs minicamp this summer and more personally, he became a father. As he notes, he has grown up off the court just as much as he has on it. "I see a lot of film and a lot of pictures from my rookie year, my second year, my third year," DeRozan said in an interview with TSN.ca after a weekend practice in the Raptors gym. "You [can] just see how much Ive grown personality-wise [and] as a basketball player, especially now as a father, having a daughter and having [those] responsibilities to take care of. So its definitely [been] a major growth year." On May 12, DeRozan and his fiancee, Kiara, became first-time parents to daughter Diar; a day that forever changed his life, a day thats largely responsible for his transformation. "I cant even tell you in words, to explain it," he said, struggling to articulate how he felt in that moment. "It just put life all together for me and helped me understand the important things in life. Its definitely big, it means the world to me and theres not a word I can find to sum up the feeling." "It changes you most definitely for the better, it helps you become more of a man." Entering his fifth season, DeRozans growth has not gone unnoticed in training camp. As his coach and teammates have pointed out, that sense of responsibility and maturity has transcended his personal life and carried over on the basketball court where he seems poised to take his game to the next level. "Hes growing up," Rudy Gay has noticed of DeRozan. "Hes a father now, he has a family he has to provide for. Its the little things, not little things to him, but those little things on the outside make him seem more grown up, and he is. Hes spending more time in the gym, other than being with his kid. Hes really hungry and everybody around here sees it." "DeMar has grown," coach Dwane Casey echoed. "Hes grown as a person, as a young man, as an NBA player. Hes doing things now just instinctively where my first year, two years ago it was more teaching and talking to him about those situations where now theyre natural. So thats a sign of growth, thats a sign of maturity and he has really, really grown as a basketball player and most of all as a young man, which is great to see." Praised repeatedly throughout his time in Toronto for his unrelenting work ethic, DeRozan continued to refine his game this summer. When he wasnt changing diapers you could find him in the gym hoisting three-pointers - he would shoot until he made at least 300 per session - or perfecting an array of post moves he has displayed to perfection in the preseason. The fruits of his labour, for now, have resulted in a number of dominant moments during the exhibition season. Building off of last years improvement in the post, DeRozan has impressed with his footwork and creativity around the basket, getting to the rim and to the line with ease. He has handled the ball witth confidence, passed out of double teams and shown improvement on defence.dddddddddddd "Its beautiful because he is such a wonderful young man," Casey said of DeRozans evolution on the court. "Hes paid his dues, hes paid the price, hes put [in] his time in the gym. Hes done it himself. Every phase of the game hes worked on in the summer." To take the next step as an NBA player, DeRozan knows he has to put everything hes worked on together, staying consistent and efficient on both ends. While many professional athletes are motivated by money and the prospect of making more of it - something he already has covered, at least for the next four seasons - DeRozan is fuelled by his appetite to win and the fact that through four NBA seasons, he hasnt tasted much success. "[Making the playoffs] would completely mean everything," said DeRozan, now the longest tenured Raptors player (he and Amir Johnson are both entering their fifth year with the team). "Thats my biggest goal, just get us back there and get us back to winning and just get that joyful feeling again from the fans." Losing hasnt been easy on DeRozan, a born competitor, and hes done a lot of it since the Raptors selected him out of USC with the ninth pick in the 2009 draft. The team narrowly missed the postseason in DeRozans rookie season, going 40-42 before Chris Bosh bolted to Miami. Over the next three years Toronto had a combined record of 79-151. It hasnt been easy but its been a learning experience for DeRozan, an experience thats allowed him to play through mistakes and another contributing factor to the growth process. "When you go through rough times it helps you grow that much more and understand what you have to do to get better and help your team get better," he reflected. "Going through four tough years really helped me grow in every aspect. [Im] more of a leader, more of a man, more of an athlete." Leadership has been the biggest adjustment for DeRozan. A self-proclaimed recluse, he is reserved and mild mannered as a person but, with time, is becoming a more vocal player. "Hes still young," Gay pointed out. "I dont think people realize how young he is. You cant really expect him to know all the things there is. Hes played a lot of basketball but its a different kind of feel when youre playing winning basketball, and [its] not his fault at all, but now we have a team that can win and I think that everybody thats here that has won hes listening to and hes figuring out how to do it himself." "Everybody goes through it, Ive been through it so I can relate to him a lot," Gay continued, having also missed the playoffs in his first four seasons before reaching the postseason with Memphis in his fifth year. "Yeah, I can see hes hungry, hes talked about it a lot during the summer with me and I think we all are." DeRozan has experienced more in the last 12 months than most do in a single year. Hes come a long way since being drafted as a 19-year-old and playing his first game a couple months after his 20th birthday. Hes gone through things, both good and bad, that have forced him to mature faster than most people his age. Sometimes its easy to forget that hes only and just barely-turned 24. "Thats the thing about the NBA, you want players to dominate right now but when guys are young coming into the league its virtually [impossible]," Casey said. "I havent seen it happen yet and Ive been in [the league] now 21, 22 years. Any time a player comes in there is a growth process and you want it to happen yesterday but it takes time." "DeMar is right on schedule. Its time for him to do that, to grow and to be the player he was drafted to be. In some players the light doesnt come on and youll know that after the four-year period, or five-year period, but with him the light is on and theres someone in the house and hes ready to roll. Nows the time for him." 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