Name: Nicky Ajose
Date of Birth: 7th October 1991
Position: Striker
Club: Manchester United
International record: England U16 8(6)
England U17 3(1)
Pacey forward thinking player who was the shining light when the Red Devils U18 visited Stoke, and won 4-0, last season.
He can play up front or out wide, and most importantly likes to beat defenders and score, or create, goals.
Ajose is now in his second year with the United Academy and signed professional forms with the Reds in summer 2009.
U18s coach Paul McGuinness rates him highly and has the following to say "He is a very exciting player and has the ability to beat defenders with his pace or skill."
"He is very quick whether he is running with or without the ball," adds Paul. "Nicky can make things happen in and around the goal. He’s creative and is capable of making or scoring goals."
Ajose has already made his mark this season, scoring for both academy and reserve sides at Old Trafford and netted the opener in the 2-0 Youth Cup win over Birmingham just a couple of weeks ago. Although he started more as a striker the pacey star has become more of a wideman this campaign as he looks to develop into a first team star.
Also able to represent Nigeria, Bury born Ajose, played for England schoolboys, in only the second ever game at Wembley, before a crowd of 28,000. Ajose went close to scoring but the U16's still defeated Scotland and Ajose puts this as his greatest ever game in his career, stating that this experience made him want more.