Darren Raekwon McIntosh-Buffonge, better known as DJ Buffonge, signed for Manchester United's academy from Fulham in late 2015. Since then, he has become an integral part of one of the most exciting things currently happening at the club.The first team might be struggling, the under-23s might be underwhelming, but United's under-18 team is packed with talent, full of "remember the name" candidates.Of course, no one who has heard Darren Raekwon McIntosh-Buffonge's name will ever forget itat least not anyone with more than a passing interest in the Wu-Tang Clanbut Buffonge's performance levels are such that it might not just be the name that people become familiar with.Last season he made 13 starts for United's under-18s, scoring once and providing a notable seven assists. This season, in 10 starts and two substitute appearances, he has four goals and four assists.He has been given his inaugural under-23 appearance, too, coming on as a substitute in the "mini-derby" against Manchester City's reserves in September.In his early days at United, then-under-18s coach Paul McGuinness told Stuart Mathieson of Manchester Evening News: "He's a talented young player. He is a left sided midfield player who can beat people and plays some good through balls as well. In old-fashioned terms I would say he was an inside-forward but in modern day speak he is an attacking midfielder. But he is versatile as well."Jack Wilkinson of Sky Sports wrote of Buffonge's background:Nurtured through his early footballing years at Arsenal's academy, it was at Fulham where Buffonge started to make a name for himself.Having moved to Motspur Park in 2010, Fulham's run to the FA Youth Cup final in 2013/14 presented Buffonge, then part of the clubs U16 set-up, with the chance to break into the U18 squad for league fixtures.Bleacher Report spoke with Doron Salomon, a follower of United's youth setup. He was full of praise for the youngster and echoed McGuinness' comments about versatility."I am not too sure what his best position is just yet. Last season we generally saw him in a wide attacking role, while at the start of this season he was very much in a deeper central role, pretty much as a centre midfielder. I suspect an attacking role will be where he eventually ends up, but his qualities do mean he can do a number of jobs for now."He has wonderful balance, a great burst of acceleration and just seems such a smart player. There are a few examples of how he's made something out of nothing this season, including setting up a goal for [Angel] Gomes against Middlesbrough I think that went viral."A word on that goal. It was a magic piece of play from Buffonge that made it possible. United were 3-1 up and full of confidence, playing with zip and purpose.Buffonge had already been involved in Idris Kanu's goal, United's second, when he found Gomes with a very intelligent round-the-corner through ball that opened up space for Gomes to find Kanuevidence of what a "smart player," Buffonge is.His role in that goal was as an effective and important member of the supporting cast, enabling Gomes' brilliance to scythe Boro apart.For United's fourth, though, Buffonge took top billing.Gomes found him with a simple pass, which he had to stretch to control. By the time he had the ball on his feet, he was surrounded by defenders. He used his left instep to drag the ball past the first, the toes of his left foot to nutmeg the second and the outside of his left to tap the ball infield to Gomes. By now he was on the right flank, goalside of the defence, and Gomes, who could have cut inside and taken the ball on himself, instead returned it to Buffonge.Wearing the No. 7 shirt that carries such heavy symbolism at United, he corrected his run to meet the ball, controlled it and hit a first-time, right-foot cross into Gomes, who scored. It was exhilarating football, and both youngsters could have a very bright future.Salomon continued:"He was initially on trial and got three assists in three games before a bad injury, but the club had already decided to sign him by then, and he was influential again when he came back and ended up with more assists than any of his team-mates despite only playing in 13 out of 31 games."That he was picked up after a trial, of course, suggests that the coaching team saw significant potential in him after a good look."This season we've already seen him appear as a sub for the U23 side, which I think is a sign that he's highly regarded in the club. Along with the other exciting talents you've already covered in your pieces [Gomes, Callum Gribbin, Indy Boonen and Tahith Chong] he's technically very competent and capable of playing the quick, clever, attacking football that has led to so many good results."As Salomon says, Buffonge's skill set make him an excellent match for the current under-18s. Their attacking unit shares a comfort on the ball. They have plenty of confidence to try tricks and flicks, which makes them exciting to watch and is what you would hope for in young United footballers.But there is a team ethic and a shared understanding, too. At least as often as a change of feet beats a defender, a change of pace in passing and movement does the trick. Buffonge more than keeps up with players like Gomesabout as good a youth prospect as you could hope to see.His versatility in terms of positioning is further evidence of that footballing intelligence he so obviously displays on the ball. It is what has enabled him to be almost as effective as a defensive force as an attacking one.And while there are disadvantages to versatility in terms of not learning the ins-and-outs of a particular position, it does open doors for the journey up the ranks. That under-23 debut will surely not be his last this season, and from next season on, given that he has just turned 18, it will be his permanent home.The route to the first team is long and treacherous, of course.Given his age and the fact that young, creative, attacking midfielders are in abundant supply on United's booksthink Adnan Januzaj and Andreas Pereira, who are both on loan at the moment but still have a lot to offerit hardly seems likely that a senior debut is imminent.But the potential is clearly there. Indeed, in the group of players currently plying their trade at this level, it is not hard to imagine a Class of '92 style influx of academy graduates in the coming years. A long shot, perhaps, but if it happens, Buffonge looks set to be a part of it. Remember the name' Sure. But make sure you also remember the player. Goals, assists and appearance data per Youthhawk.co.uk.Quotations obtained firsthand where not otherwise stated.
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