Whilst not telling us anything we didn't already know, it's.nice to hear the academy is now given enough resources,.and that its paying off.

Great read. It's the kind of article that Andy Mitten excels at: telling the human stories and relationships at the heart of the game.

Cheers Diafol

If you're interested in keeping track of the progress of the youth teams I'd recommend this account on twitter:

https://x.com/FinleyKing_

I think the guy who runs it is a kid himself and you can tell he sometimes gets carried away with his opinions (though he seems to have some contacts within the academy), but i have found it useful for keeping an eye on what's going on.

comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 8 minutes ago
Cheers Diafol

If you're interested in keeping track of the progress of the youth teams I'd recommend this account on twitter:

https://x.com/FinleyKing_

I think the guy who runs it is a kid himself and you can tell he sometimes gets carried away with his opinions (though he seems to have some contacts within the academy), but i have found it useful for keeping an eye on what's going on.
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Thanks Bloodred. Have given him a follow now too.

Excellent Diafol, I have the Athletic but hadn't got round to reading it.

The coming years might just see one of the largest influxes of academy players to the first team that we've seen at the club which will be a fantastic reward for all the good work done at that level on and off the field.

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 9 minutes ago
The coming years might just see one of the largest influxes of academy players to the first team that we've seen at the club which will be a fantastic reward for all the good work done at that level on and off the field.
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It feels like an opportune time to have another golden generation...

It does RR.

TRS

Anyone in the U21s that you are excited about? I don't see any myself. The U18's have quite a few though, like Lacey (just back from a long injury) Amass, Biancheri and Scanlon.

Not been impressed by the Fletch twins yet.

That’s a grate read. Really exciting times for the academy. I read somewhere the u16s are rated ridiculously highly as well.

just back from a long injury

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Promote him to the seniors ASAP, he'll fit right in

Most of the players I'd be more excited about are in the U18s or are just beginning to transition from U18 to U21 football or skipping it altogether to train with the first team.

The players you've mentioned plus Ibragimov, Fitzgerald, Jack Fletcher, Mantato, Harrison and Kamason.

TRS, what was the story with Adam Berry? He was meant to be a promising player. Did he just get overtaken by others in the academy, or was he just not quite as good as some thought?

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/
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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.