When England’s plane flies over Holland today en route to Warsaw for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Poland, Roy Hodgson should look out of the window and give thanks to a certain Dutchman.

For it was the enlightened coaching of Rene Meulensteen that helped enhance the technique of Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck. Now assisting Sir Alex Ferguson, Meulensteen was skills development coach at Manchester United’s academy from 2001 to 2005.
A disciple of the skill-enriching Coerver Method, Meulensteen encouraged youngsters like Cleverley and Welbeck to express themselves, treating the ball as a friend, enjoying its company and potential. With Les Kershaw, the then academy director, committed to four v four matches, United led the way in player development.

Back in 2005, having worked with prospects like Welbeck and Cleverley, Meulensteen observed that if their generation “carries on maturing, they’ll have skills coming out of their ears”. He had a mantra for the youngsters, wise counsel when he gathered them in the centre-circle of the indoor pitch at Carrington. “You all have the ability,” Meulensteen told them. “But do you have the confidence to play in front of 10,000 people, 20,000, 30,000? Use all your time training.

“Don’t waste it. Learn. Train hard, work hard. Take responsibility.” 

Cleverley and Welbeck increasingly take responsibility. “Rene did a lot of on-the-ball things, as many touches on the ball as you can, very technical work and that’s paying off now because we’re both comfortable on the ball,’’ reflected Cleverley on Sunday. “I’ve also been lucky to work with people at United like Paul McGuinness and Eric Harrison who’ve improved me.”
United’s new breed are pushing through into positions of prominence, as much with country as club. Cleverley, 23, has started all four games for Hodgson this season. Welbeck, 21, scored twice against San Marino on Friday.
Even if both are left out against Poland as Hodgson considers a more experienced line-up, their long-term importance is clear.

This is exactly the style of coaching we encourage here at We Make Footballers Academy!