As a football data analyst raised in Chelsea’s shadow and trained at Loughborough, I’ve spent years decoding the invisible metrics behind Manchester United’s golden age. In 1945, Busby didn’t just appoint a manager—he ignited a tactical revolution. With xG-driven youth development, he built the first modern academy: no brute force, no short-term fixes—just pure structure, spatial movement, and coordinated pressing. By 1956, his average squad age was 22. This wasn’t luck. It was data made visible.