Manchester United's academy teams have learned their fixtures for the new season. Despite not winning a trophy last term, the Under-21s and Under-18s had relatively successful seasons, although they will be looking to build on that and clinch silverware in the new campaign.
Gabriel to step up
JJ Gabriel has continued to train with the first team since he was included in a senior matchday squad for the first time against Rosenborg in Norway, which was the second pre-season game of the summer. Michael Carrick handed Gabriel his first-team 'debut' in Stockholm against Atletico Madrid, and it felt significant that he was included in the travelling squad for training camp just outside Dublin this week.
The youngster is spending more time with the first team, although the bench will be full of senior players on the opening day of the Premier League season against Hull on August 22, meaning Gabriel will be with the U21s. Gabriel has played for the U21s in behind-closed-doors friendlies this summer, but he is yet to make his debut for that age group in a competitive fixture, so that is another small milestone to hit.
The U21s will begin their season against Ipswich two days after United's first-team play Hull in the Premier League. There should be more fans than usual at Leigh Sports Village this season just to get the chance to watch him in action.
It will be fascinating to see how Gabriel fares at U21 level. He didn't step up to that age group last season because he was 14 when the campaign began, which meant the club were unable to play him. It was agreed that Gabriel would spend the season with the U18s, but there are no longer any restrictions on where he can play, which also applies to senior level, so a proper senior debut in the first half of the season is possible.
Early title decider
Manchester City won the U18 league title by four points last season, and they were champions the season before by just two points, with United finishing as runners-up on both occasions. The two Manchester clubs dominate the U18 Northern League, which means the games between the two sides often decide the title, and that is why it was interesting to see the fixture confirmed for the opening day.
United's U18s will welcome City to Carrington on August 22 for their opening league fixture. Fans won't be able to attend the clash because of the venue, but MUTV will broadcast the early title decider. It's not ideal for such an important game to be played on the opening weekend, given that players are not at peak match fitness, and the sub-plot is that the fixture is a repeat of the FA Youth Cup final in May. Darren Fletcher hit out at City's celebrations after that game, which adds to the build-up.
The next generation
Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick will feature heavily for the U18s in the new campaign, which should make most fans feel old. Rooney made his debut at Old Trafford last season, coming on from the bench in an FA Youth Cup game against Derby. Carrick did not make his Youth Cup debut, but he will get a chance to play in the competition this term.
Both players are well regarded within the academy, and they earned their scholarship deals on merit, not on their names. Rooney has transitioned from playing as a striker, where his father played, to operating on the wing because he likes to cut inside with his left foot, so keep an eye on him next season.
Interest in Leicester talent
United are interested in signing Louis Page from Leicester City. The club are working on a deal to sign the 18-year-old midfielder, who would be seen as a similar signing to Ayden Heaven and, more recently, Tynan Thompson. Page has already made 21 senior appearances for Leicester across all competitions, so he would be welcomed into United's first-team group if the Reds win the race for his signature before the transfer deadline.
United can make a compelling pitch to players like Page and Thompson by pointing to Heaven as an example. He is now a permanent member of the first team, so the club can pitch the same pathway to potential new signings.
Academy sales
United have been aware they needed to improve their record of selling academy players. The club wants to receive more when they sell their young players, but if that isn't possible, inserting favourable clauses is the next best thing. It was in the summer of 2024 that United's strategy began to become noticeable, with favourable clauses (buy-backs and sell-ons) included in the sales of academy players such as Mason Greenwood, Alvaro Fernandez and Willy Kambwala.
United have continued to insist on such clauses, catching up with other Premier League clubs who were already doing so. There was another example when Ethan Williams completed a move to Peterborough on Thursday. United received a “sizeable fee” from a League One club, with add-ons included, and the club inserted a 50 per cent sell-on clause, buyback and matching rights clauses, representing savvy business. The penny dropped with United's recruitment last summer, and they are making gradual inroads to becoming a better-selling club.
