Inside United's Academy

It came as a bit of a surprise that he left but it seemed like he was looking for a quicker route into senior football and he'd also changed agent but how big a part that played in his decision I'm not sure.

Can’t knock someone for wanting to leave to get a clearer path to senior football.

No you can only admire the decision which can't have been an easy one at the time.

He scored against us in a trial game for Forest before signing them.

Still part of the problem with academy football I suppose. It’s a shame more isn’t done to provide the EFL with the finances needed to make it viable for youngsters to drop down the leagues to play senior games. Haha yeah I had seen he scored against us.

Watched a few U18 games, in particular the thrashing of Liverpool. Wheatley looks a talent. Tall, mobile and very potent in front of goal. I will be following this group with interest, hoping a few end up having a good, successful career at Utd, most won't.

Part 2 of Andy Mitten's report has dropped:

https://theathletic.com/5436418/2024/04/23/man-utd-academy-part-two-mainoo/

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 8 minutes ago
Part 2 of Andy Mitten's report has dropped:

https://theathletic.com/5436418/2024/04/23/man-utd-academy-part-two-mainoo/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheers RR! Will give it a read now.

“Yeah, we’re gonna win the league tomorrow,” replies the player. “We’re Man United.”

Love this!

Some nice details about the club's emphasis on developing youngsters as rounded individuals and not neglecting their broader education. Included the following:

'Jonny Evans’ status as the most intelligent former United student is under serious threat when you hear that Willy Kambwala gained the equivalent of three As at A-level, plus English as a second language.' (I read somewhere else recently about what a strong, grounded personality Kambwala is: encouraging to hear, as we all know that talent is less than 50% of what it takes to go a long way in the sport.)

Also one of the coaches is quoted as saying [Mainoo] "was integrated with the first-team squad last season but we still had to find time for him to finish his qualifications, which he did. That could have been missed, but Kobbie, who is bright, wanted to do it. He’s quiet, unassuming, with that steely determination to do the right thing, get better and he’s been like that since I’ve known him.”

The Alumni Programme that the club have launched is a grate initiative.