Academy Weekly: United lead way for graduates

UNITED LEAD THE WAY FOR GRADUATES

The Press Association revealed this week that Academy graduates at United have received more playing time than at any other Premier League club this season.

With all of Jonny Evans, Willy Kambwala, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay, Dan Gore, Hannibal, Omari Forson, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Ethan Wheatley playing for the Reds in the competition in 2023/24, graduates played a total of 11,835 minutes for the club. This is 40 per cent more than the second-placed team in the chart, Chelsea, and the PA news agency’s research also found United’s Academy to have produced the most playing time in the Premier League overall, when including individuals at other clubs.

KOBBIE RECEIVES ENGLAND CALL-UP

After making his senior England debut in March, Kobbie Mainoo – graduate number 246 – has received another Three Lions call-up ahead of this summer’s European Championship in Germany.

The squad for the finals has still be to be finalised as there are warm-up friendlies first, against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iceland.

Congratulations, Kobbie!

EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENTS CELEBRATED AT CARRINGTON

Kobbie returned to the Academy building on Tuesday afternoon to join up with his former-U21s team-mates as they received certificates for educational excellence. Players from across the Professional Development Phase (U17-U21) saw their work recognised by colleaegues and staff in a meaningful final meeting of the season before the summer break began.

It was also an opportunity to bid farewell to players and staff moving on to new challenges in their careers.

YOUTH INTERNATIONALS

Congratulations to Harry Amass and Jack Fletcher, who are representing England at the Under-17 Euros in Cyprus this month. The young Lions face France, Portugal and Spain in the group stages.

Elyh Harrison and Ethan Wheatley, who were named Under-21s and Under-18s Player of the Year respectively last week, are with the England Under-18 squad for friendlies against Northern Ireland and Morocco as the age group prepares to enter the UEFA Under-19 Euros competition next season.

Many other young Reds across the age groups will proudly represent their nations over the next few weeks and rest of the summer.

BOMB SURVIVOR DELIVERS INSPIRATIONAL TALK

Ahead of the seventh anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing, Academy staff witnessed a stirring talk from survivor and lifelong Red Martin Hibbert. Delivering an inspirational recount of his life story on Tuesday evening, Hibbert had been invited to the Academy’s final all-staff meeting of the 2023/24 campaign. These meetings, held every six weeks throughout the season, regularly feature motivational or educational workshops and speeches from experts of all varieties.

Hibbert was just six metres away from the bomb on 22 May 2017 and told staff how he was hit by 22 pieces of shrapnel, one of which severed an artery in his neck and another which severed his spinal cord, rendering him paralysed. His daughter, Eve, was struck in the temple by another piece of shrapnel. Both have made remarkable recoveries.

Martin’s story of determination and positivity since suffering such life-changing injuries is, as he stated, reflective of the attitude of the football club he supports, and provided valuable life lessons to all in attendance.

SUMMER BREAK BEGINS

While some younger sides still have commitments left, the summer break begins for many at the Academy now. Academy Weekly will resume in July, but key news will continue to be communicated on the United App and ManUtd.com.

Meanwhile, those seeking their Academy fix can check out our new documentary series, Lifeblood, which began this month with a 30-minute film on the history of youth development at the club, including an exclusive interview with graduate number 244, Alejandro Garnacho.