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Manchester United’s academy has forged a reputation for developing first team stars, most recently with Kobbie Mainoo.
Now for the first time since 2017/18, Manchester United’s under-18s are celebrating winning the Premier League North title, clinching the trophy with a 2-1 win over Wolves this week.
Coach Adam Lawrence’s side have played 22 games, won 19, drawn two, and lost only one, with a staggering goal difference of +50. There are two league games remaining for the team to add to this record.
Some of these players are already mixing in with the first team squad. Here is a look at the players who have contributed to the team’s success, and aim to follow Kobbie Mainoo.
Tom Myles has an impressive record of eight clean sheets in 18 matches, conceding only 18 goals.
Elyh Harrison was a 2022 signing from Stevenage. He has largely played for Manchester United’s under-21 side this season, pushed up a level, but has still been able to contribute.
A breakthrough campaign for the young defender, who turned 17 in December. He scored one goal.
Jack Kingdon made his under-18s debut when he was just 15. Now 18, the Scotland youth international is a force to be reckoned with at this level, and has a bright future. He trained with Manchester United’s first team last week.
Another part of Manchester United’s strong defence, FA Youth Cup winner Louis Jackson adds another medal to his impressive CV. He has also made six appearances for the under-21s, and has also been training with Erik ten Hag‘s first team.
Habeeb Ogunneye has played more frequently for the under-21s, with his last under-18s appearances back in early January. In the seven games he played, he kept five clean sheets. In recent weeks he has been a regular on the first team bench.
It has been a sensational breakthrough campaign for Harry Amass since his summer move from Watford, impressing fans with his composed performances. Amass recently stepped up to the 21s, and has also made the first team bench.
England youth international Jaydan Kamason stepped up after Ogunneye moved up. He has provided three assists in his last five games, showing he is finding his confidence.
James Nolan has played at centre-back and left-back for the under-18s this season in addition to left-back. He has played more often for the 21s this season but filled in when needed in the lower age group.
Finley McAllister made his under-18s debut at just 14, which shows how highly regarded he is in the academy. Now 17, he is a regular for the side and is one of the players who has featured most frequently. He has scored twice and leads the team for assists with five.
A promising season for Jack Moorhouse was cut short by injury. He provided one assist and scored one goal in the team’s opening two games, and has not been part of any squads since.
One half of the summer signings made from Manchester City, Jack Fletcher has been a contributor to the team’s success, with one goal and four assists from his eight games played.
Tyler Fletcher has been less involved than his brother. The pair only turned 17 in March and will have more prominent roles next season when many of this group step up a level.
One of the stars of the season, Jacob Devaney plays a defensive midfield role and has been integral to the success of the season, also providing four assists. He is the team’s most used player, missing only one match. Still only 16, he has recently been training with the first team.
Another exciting midfield talent, Baumann has been a regular for the side and provided an assist in the team’s win over Wolves. He recently scored on his under-21s debut and has also trained with the first team.
This was an important season for Curley who lost the entire 2022/23 campaign with a torn ACL. He has made a successful return, scoring twice, and also playing six times for the under-21s.
Jayce Fitzgerald was a regular in the team before picking up an injury in January and has been out since. The 16-year-old scored three times and provided two assists.
James Scanlon has had a special season, scoring eight goals and providing three assists. He is ending it with a flourish, with four goals and three assists in his last three matches. He recently made his senior international debut for Gibraltar at just 17.
One or the future, Ibragimov only turned 16 earlier this month. He made his under-18s debut at 14, and has also featured for the 21s. In his two games for the 18s, he still managed to contribute one assist.
A very special player, Ethan Williams has been a key part of the team’s success. He has scored seven goals and provided four assists in league competition, a goal contribution every game. Also on target in cup competitions and for the 21s, he has 16 goals at academy level this season.
One of the breakthrough players this season, Ashton Missin is a direct winger who has scored four times, providing two assists. He recently stepped up and scored for the under-21s.
Bendito Mantato has played six games, scored five, and provided two assists. Four of these goals came in one sensational performance. He played half his games at full-back, before getting his chance on the wing, and taking it. Still only 16, the best is yet to come.
A promising season for Malachi Sharpe saw him score three goals in six games, before suffering an injury. He made his comeback in the team’s win over Stoke this past weekend.
Shea Lacey also saw his breakthrough season interrupted by injury, making his comeback in the same game as Sharpe. In seven games he has two goals and three assists. Having just turned 17, he signed a professional contract this week.
A regular in the team, Victor Musa has been a little overshadowed by others this season. He has still managed to score six times, the highlight being a hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Blackburn last November, and he netted recently against the same opponents.
One for the future, Jim Thwaites has stepped up occasionally from the under-16s. His tally of seven games is a little misleading, combined they have tallied just 102 minutes. Despite this, he has one goal, netting a dramatic long range last minute equaliser to preserve the team’s unbeaten record at the time.
Keep an eye on Sekou Kaba next season. He has played only 43 minutes this season, and provided one assist.
After signing from Cardiff City just over a year ago, Gabriele Biancheri is establishing himself at Manchester United. He has 10 goals in 18 league games, including a brace to seal the title, and 15 goals in all competitions. The Wales youth international has also trained with the first team.
Ethan Wheatley has a quite impressive record of eight goals and two assists in seven league games for the under-18s. That’s only half the story of his season. Wheatley has netted more goals in cup competitions, and contributed for the under-21s, and made the first team bench at the weekend.
| Goals under-18s | Assists under-18s | Goals under-21s | Assists under-21s | Total Goals | Total Assists | Total Goal contributions | |
| Ethan Wheatley 2023/24 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 5 | 23 |
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