Academy Weekly: Landmarks and internationals

Tuesday 16 November 2021 07:00

Although club football has paused for the international break, it's been a busy week for the Academy, with several achievements to celebrate, an important education programme and an award for Di'Shon Bernard.

Here's your chance to catch up on everything that's been going on at the Academy over the last week...

Lead image: Centre-back Rhys Bennett, who last week spent time at AFC Wimbledon as part of our Pro Experience Programme. See more details below.

A NOTE ON ACADEMY COVERAGE

In recent weeks you may have noticed a change in the website’s coverage of Academy fixtures and results.

Going forward, we will bring you a weekly round-up website piece that provides updates on everything going on in United’s world-leading youth development system.

A range of innovative features will enable fans to get closer to the Academy than previously, providing insight into the inner workings, showcasing our talented players and giving greater visibility to the younger age groups.

While football is all about results, for the Academy players their overall development is just as important, so that will be the focus over in-depth match reports.

New features will include loan information, career updates from former Academy players, regular staff profiles and interviews, tournament news, results and much more.

Premier League guidelines mean that Under-23s fixtures cannot be shown when they clash with any first-team League games. However, Under-23s and Under-18s games will continue to be shown live and in-full on MUTV wherever possible with unique analysis and insight provided by former Academy graduates.

The Academy remains the lifeblood of the club and ensuring that fans are able to engage with all aspects of Manchester United is a key aim of our media outlets.

We look forward to bringing you exciting news of how you can stay even more up to date with everything going on within the Academy in the coming weeks.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Pro Experience Programme continues

Launched recently was the Academy's innovative new programme in which young United players spend time training with EFL clubs. Distinct from a formal loan move, several players in the U17-U23 age groups will train in a senior football environment.

Six players have now benefitted from the scheme, with the latest pair, goalkeeper Dermot Mee and defender Rhys Bennett, enjoying a week at AFC Wimbledon. Head of Player Development and Coaching Justin Cochrane spent some time down in London with them, explaining after that the boys have had a "memorable time" and "experienced what a first-team environment is all about." Upon their return, they will make a presentation about their experience to coaches in order to cement the learning process.

“They get the full ‘open door’ in terms of seeing what it’s like in training, meetings, doing a warm-up for a game – all they don’t do is play in a game," Cochrane explained to Wimbledon's website.

Academy graduate makes senior international debut

Congratulations to 28-year-old striker Will Keane, the 133rd Academy graduate to make his senior international debut. Keane spent more than a decade at Manchester United, coming through the Academy from the age of 11.

Born in Stockport, Will represented England at several youth levels but switched allegiances to the Republic of Ireland, the country of his father's birth. Before making his debut as a substitute in Ireland's 0-0 draw with Portugal, Keane explained his pride at representing the Boys in Green.

"My father was born in Sligo," Will said, "he was raised there and then was actually an orphan. He went to boarding school in Dublin and then he was adopted and moved to England when he was 10.

"For me to able to represent Ireland, for him growing up he lost touch with it so to reconnect with that is a massive thing and for me to give him that obviously gives me a lot of pleasure."

It's a fantastic achievement for Will, who has been in fine form for Wigan Athletic this season, scoring seven goals and making three assists in 16 league appearances.

 
Keane in action for United Under-21s, up against Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Truce Tournament experience and Remembrance tribute

United's Under-12s played in the Christmas Truce Tournament at St. George's Park at the weekend, coming up against Burnley, Liverpool, Sunderland, Stoke and Middlesbrough.

Earlier in the week, on the evening of Thursday 11 November, the Under-12s and Under-13s took part in Remembrance Day ceremonies. Both teams played Manchester City as the two clubs came together for a touching tribute, but also an important educational experience. See more details here.

United and City remember together

 Article

How the Manchester clubs' Academies took part in special games and ceremonies for Remembrance.

International action

Sam Mather scored a wonderful right-footed shot from the edge of the area as England Under-18s were beaten 3-2 by the Netherlands. Daniel Gore also started the game and made one assist.

Anthony Elanga netted twice for Sweden Under-21s in a 4-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Several other Academy players represented their countries, with Isak Hansen playing the full game for Norway Under-19s in a draw against Slovakia and Teden Mengi doing the same for England Under-20s against Portugal. For more information on those with their countries during the international break, see here.

Bernard picks up Hull City gong

Centre-back Di'Shon Bernard, on loan at Hull City, has been named the Tigers' Player of the Month for October after showing excellent form for the Championship side. Nominated alongside goalkeeper Matt Ingram, left-back Callum Elder and captain Richie Smallwood, Bernard swept up the vast majority of the fans' vote, being chosen by 73.28 per cent of supporters. The recently-turned 21-year-old played six full games in October, the pick of the bunch being his Man of the Match display against Middlesbrough at the start of the month.

United learn FA Youth Cup opponents

 Article

The young Reds have been handed a home tie in the third round.

Chong heads back to Birmingham

Tahith Chong surprised his old Birmingham City team-mates by heading back to the Blues' training ground as the team posed for their 2021/22 squad photo. Chong was recently ruled out for 4-5 months after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured thigh tendon. The gesture was appreciated by everyone at the St. Andrew's club, who were delighted with Chong's attitude and approach to his loan spell there, as well as his excellent performances. Manager Lee Bowyer recently admitted he hopes Chong could return for his team after his recovery.

COMING UP THIS WEEK

League action resumes

The Under-23s travel to Derby County on Friday night, with a 19:00 GMT kick-off at the Loughborough University Stadium. The Under-18s are also away from home this weekend, heading to Burnley where they'll kick off at 11:00 GMT at the Barnfield Training Centre.

Both matches will be shown live on MUTV. Highlights will be available after on ManUtd.com and our Official App.

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