Six Manchester United academy talents who could make senior breakthrough in 2024/25
Unlike many other top Premier League clubs, Manchester United’s success since Sir Alex Ferguson’s glory days has often relied on the homegrown stars coming through the youth academy.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are the latest academy products to impress the football world well beyond the Premier League’s borders.
Garnacho won the 2024 Copa America with Argentina, while Mainoo went from a late traveller to a headline performer for England at the fateful 2024 UEFA European Championship.
Despite England’s second consecutive loss in the grand final, Man Utd’s rising star delivered dazzling performances in Germany to establish himself as a household midfielder at just 19.
With the 2024/25 season on the horizon, Erik ten Hag could pluck another gem from the club’s esteemed academy to bolster the first team, and there’s an array of young talents waiting in the wings.
Let’s look at the six most exciting academy prospects at Old Trafford.
Harry Amass
Man Utd struggled at left back last season due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia and Diogo Dalot’s inconsistent performances.
Trusting a 17-year-old to handle such a significant burden could be counterproductive, yet Amass could be an unlikely solution for Ten Hag.
Although still a teenager, Amass boasts impressive technical qualities and crossing ability. And unlike Aaron Wan-Bissaka, he’s not afraid to venture forward.
Finley McAllister
McAllister lives and breathes Man Utd. He’s a die-hard club supporter and a testified on-field leader, as he has shown on multiple occasions during his academy career.
While he’s not a creative midfielder like Christian Eriksen, he’s a hard-working player, unafraid to get his hands dirty to provide an extra layer of cover to his backline.
He captained Man Utd’s U18 team to a treble last term and deserves a chance to showcase his potential in the senior squad.
Jack Fletcher
Could he be Ten Hag’s Darren Fletcher?
Jack is about the same age his father Darren was when Ferguson promoted him to the first team in 2002 before he became a stalwart in the club’s most prosperous era in the 21st century.
Like father like son – Jack grasps the burden coming with the Red Devils shirt, and he possesses the skills and composure on the ball to be United’s deep-lying playmaker for the next decade.
Ethan Williams
Now’s the time to address the issue called Jadon Sancho.
If Ten Hag decides against breaking the bank to replace the outgoing winger, Williams could be an exciting option after impressing at youth level.
He’s not a classic type of winger. Unlike Marcus Rashford, he’s not crazy fast, yet he’s ambidextrous and boasts an admirable tactical intelligence.
On top of that, Williams is a tireless presser, which bodes well for Ten Hag’s system.
Ethan Wheatley
While Williams is still knocking on the first-team door, his namesake, Wheatley, registered a few appearances for the senior squad last season.
Rasmus Hojlund failed to meet expectations in his first season at Old Trafford. Widely expected to improve next term, he’s still young and could be the frontline leader in the future.
However, Ten Hag needs a fallback option, and Wheatley could fill the void, even though Joshua Zirkzee is now in the house.
An excellent finisher with great first touch, the 18-year-old is a prototype of a modern-day centre-forward.
Toby Collyer
Fresh off penning a new contract at the Theatre of Dreams, Collyer is ready to take a quantum leap and join the first team.
Another up-and-coming midfielder with standout combative skills, the 20-year-old is an enforcer, albeit he’s also a composed passer.
With Casemiro setting one foot outside Manchester, Collyer could be his heir in a defensive-midfielder position.