COOPER: SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR YOUNG UNITED

COOPER: SKY\'S THE LIMIT FOR YOUNG UNITED

Captain heading into the summer with a positive mindset...

Captain Liam Cooper is taking a positive mindset into the summer, saying "the sky is the limit" for United’s talented group of young players providing they hit the ground running in pre-season.

Cooper, who arrived from Chesterfield last August, was handed the armband by Neil Redfearn at the start of 2015 and helped United comfortably secure their Championship status with a dramatic upturn in form.

The 23-year-old went on to make 31 appearances during his debut campaign at Elland Road, forming part of a youthful-looking side which he has high hopes for despite the 15th-place finish this term.

"I’ve got a positive outlook on everything; I don’t like to think negatively," said Cooper.

"We’ll come back, have a good pre-season and the sky is the limit next year.

"If we get off to a good start, which we’re more than capable of, we can have a good season."

Cooper also pointed towards United doing the double over eventual champions Bournemouth and promotion-chasing Middlesbrough as big indicators that the side are “not far off” where they want to be.

"We’ve beaten two of the best teams in the league and done the double over them this year," he said.

"We’re not far off at all; it’s just the consistency we need to get in our performances. If we can’t win games, then we can’t lose them.

"That’s what we need to get drilled into our heads and I’m sure that will be going on in pre-season and next season as well."

On the club’s homegrown youngsters, Cooper added: "The lads don’t play like they’re 21 or 22-year-old players, they’ve been in this league for a couple of years and that’s great credit to the Academy, bringing them through.

"They’ve shown trust in them as well because you need that as a young lad. I’ve been there myself and to not be trusted is not nice at time.

"But they haven’t looked out of place at all, they’re great lads with great heads on their shoulders. They’re a pleasure to play with."

Cooper started the season in League One having won promotion with Chesterfield, featuring once in the third tier before making the step up to Championship football following United’s pursuit of his services.

He needed to be patience for his chance at Elland Road, but the centre-back grasped it when he returned to the side in November under Redfearn. Such was his impact, Cooper was made captain within just two months.

"It’s hard to explain and I don’t think words can describe it," he said of his own season.

"I came in from League One and didn’t really know anybody. From my first week here, the lads were unbelievable with me and it really took off.

"The manager came in and made me captain and I was truly honoured. It was an unbelievable experience captaining the side for so many games.

"I hope it can continue because I think it can bring the best out of me when I know I can be a leader and I know I’ve got to set an example. I like to think I do that."

On Redfearn, Cooper added: "I’ve got a lot of respect for the manager. He made me captain and I speak to him and he tells me I’ve got a long future at the club.

"I’d like to think that I have. It’s a great club to be at and the fans are unbelievable, they scream their hearts out every week at home and away.

"It’s great respect to the manager, he’s been great to the lads and he gets us up for games.

"If we’ve ever got a problem, he’s the most honest man you can speak to.

"Hopefully, we’ll come back in pre-season and have a really successful season next season.

"We’re not far off from getting out of this league and that’s what this club deserves."

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