Academy Weekly: Youth Cup campaign begins

As 11-time winners of the competition, no club has lifted the FA Youth Cup more often than United, who won the first five editions from 1952 until 1957.

Our most recent victory came in 2022, when a record-breaking 67,000 supporters filled Old Trafford to watch United defeat Nottingham Forest 3-1 in an exciting final.

Four graduates from that side have since made first-team debuts. Alejandro Garnacho has made 59 appearances, Kobbie Mainoo eight, and Dan Gore and Charlie McNeill one apiece.

Tickets are available for the Old Trafford match against the Rams (tonight, 19:00 GMT).

Priced at £3 for adults and £1.50 for children, get your tickets and come along to support for the young Reds in the historic competition.

Following the fourth-round draw last Thursday, it was decided that United will play Swindon Town or Luton Town away, should we progress past Derby.

Mascot experience

The mascots for Manchester United v Bayern Munich in last week's UEFA Champions League match were Under-8s players from the Academy. It was an incredible experience for the young boys involved.

Under-18s' league winning run continues

Our Under-18s warmed up for Youth Cup action by winning 2-0 at Everton's Finch Farm training ground on Saturday morning, the first-half goals coming from James Scanlon and Gabriele Biancheri. You can watch highlights here.

Players excited for ‘dream’ Old Trafford occasion

“We’re buzzing really,” forward Ethan Wheatley said of the Youth Cup.

“We’re confident. We’ve been doing well in the league so far, so hopefully we can take that form into the Youth Cup, with everyone expressing themselves. It’s a big privilege to play at Old Trafford and it’s always been a dream. I can’t wait.”

Two other local lads, midfielders Finley McAllister and Jayce Fitzgerald, also called it a dream.

“You can watch United week in, week out,” McAllister said.

“Not just me, all the other United fans as well. You just want the team to do well and those moments where United are succeeding, those last-minute goals against City or Liverpool or whoever it may be. You don’t forget those moments. You’ve got to enjoy them as a fan.

“And then being out there [as a player]… you know what it means to be on the pitch, you know what the fans expect and what it requires to satisfy them. So that’s what I’ll be looking to do as an individual and as a team as well.”

The majority of the squad were in the Under-16s, when United last lifted the trophy.

“We were there as an Under-16s group,” remembered McAllister.

“We were training with them in the week beforehand and then watched them in front of 67,000. It felt like ‘anything’s possible’.

“It’s a massive picture for us. We can look and say, ‘there’s Dan Gore doing it’ or ‘there’s Kobbie Mainoo doing it.’”

Louis Jackson played in the 2022 FA Youth Cup final aged only 15, called up as a late replacement for the ill Tyler Fredricson.

“You know, growing up through the club, that we’ve got the record amount of wins [in the tournament],” he said.

“We want to carry on that tradition of youth and bringing players through and we’re hoping we can be next. Hopefully, through this competition, we can get an opportunity.

“Old Trafford is just iconic. There’s always a big buzz leading up to playing there. You’re looking forward to it all week. And then you just want to go out and express yourself.”

You can watch full interviews with McAllister, Fitzgerald, Wheatley, Jackson and goalkeeper Elyh Harrison in MUTV’s build-up to Tuesday’s fixture, with the game being shown live in the UK and Ireland.

First-team involvement

Eight Academy graduates were in United’s matchday squad at Anfield, with Scott McTominay captaining the side for the first time in the Premier League. Congratulations, Scott!

UEFA Youth League

The Under-19s’ UEFA Youth League campaign concluded last Tuesday with a 2-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich.

Under-21s defeat Newcastle

Goals from James Nolan, Joe Hugill and Shola Shoretire helped our Under-21s to an exciting 3-2 home win over Newcastle United on Saturday. You can watch highlights below.

Learn more about the alumni scheme

The latest edition of Inside United – the club’s monthly magazine for supporters – features an in-depth feature on the burgeoning Academy alumni scheme. It includes interviews with coaches Colin Little and Neil Harris, as well as Nick Cox, Director of Academy. You can order your copy here.

ETP graduate signs pro deal

Emerging Talent Programme (ETP) graduate, Jaydan Kamason, has become the first player from the scheme to sign a professional contract with Manchester United.

Jaydan joined the ETP at the age of 10, whilst playing for local grassroots team Stockport Vikings. After spending a period of time developing in the ETP, working with bespoke coaching and delivery staff, Jaydan transitioned to the main Academy group, where he has spent the last six years.

While the Academy does not normally announce a player’s first professional contract, an exception has been made in this case to celebrate the success of the ETP in creating opportunities for children across Greater Manchester to develop their talent.

You can read more about the success of the ETP below.