Few phrases in football history have aged as poorly as Alan Hansen's infamous 1995 declaration that 'You can't win anything with kids'. The Match of the Day pundit's assessment of Manchester United's youthful squad would become one of the most mocked predictions in sports broadcasting history.
The Infamous Prediction
After Manchester United's 3-1 opening day defeat to Aston Villa in August 1995, Hansen delivered his now-legendary verdict on the team featuring young talents like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers. The average age of United's starting XI that day was just 24.
How United Proved Hansen Wrong
Far from struggling, Sir Alex Ferguson's young squad went on to win the Premier League and FA Cup double that very season. The so-called 'Class of '92' would become the backbone of United's dominance through the 1990s and early 2000s, winning multiple trophies including the historic 1999 treble.
The Legacy of United's Youth Revolution
Hansen's comment has since become football folklore, often cited as a cautionary tale about writing off young talent. The success of United's academy graduates revolutionised approaches to youth development in English football and remains the gold standard for club academies today.
While Hansen later admitted his mistake, the quote continues to be referenced whenever a young team exceeds expectations, proving that in football - as in life - experience isn't everything.
