Ryan Tunnicliffe has already achieved more than most starry-eyed youngsters, simply by signing for boyhood favourites Manchester United.

But the midfielder, who is on loan at Town until at least January, is desperate to go one stage further and become an established first-teamer at Old Trafford.

Tunnicliffe would like nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and others in completing the journey from United’s youth team to first team.

Beckham, Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary and Phil Neville all graduated in 1992 after helping United to win the FA Youth Cup, just as Tunnicliffe did two years ago.

He said: “There were about eight or nine English players in the team and I think we’re all still at the club. Players are just waiting to be given a chance but it’s difficult to get into the United first team and there are a lot of young players all in the same boat.

“You just have to bide your time and it would be great if a group of us managed to do it, just like the ’92 generation. It’s a tradition at United to bring youngsters through — they would rather produce players in their academy than go out and spend fortunes on them.

“But the players need to be there and Adnan Januzaj is a good recent example. He has been given his chance and he has grabbed it. He’s a very, very good player and he deserves his chance after working hard in the past year or so when I was with him.”

One-time supporter Tunnicliffe is focused on making the grade at United and added: “It doesn’t matter who David Moyes brings into the club in January because I’ve got to look after myself. If I’m going to force my way into his plans I will need to play well here.”

If Moyes doesn't want him back at Old Trafford, then he has said he would be keen to extend his stay at Portman Road until the end of the campaign.

Photo: Action Images

shoopdelang added 08:23 - Oct 23 F*c? me he looks like Wayne Rooney in that picture
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StuartBrett8 added 08:28 - Oct 23 There is too much quality ahead of him in the Man Utd pecking order.... hopefully Moyse we'll bin him and we can snap him up for a nominal fee :)
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StuartBrett8 added 08:29 - Oct 23 *will
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Fellingham added 12:03 - Oct 23 yeh, to many good players and (younger some of them) powell, fellani, the guy with like 6 nationalities etc.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 13:22 - Oct 23 Like this guy. He has clear ambitions and is not teasing us about possibly staying permanently. Just gets on with his job and does his best for the club. If he does make it to the top, he will always be a friend of our club.
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AlexGreen added 21:14 - Oct 23 Great to have him, could see him ending as player of the season, like Jack Colback was when on loan
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