United to support released players
Manchester United's Academy has offered support and guidance to nine players who will be out of contract in the summer.
Aidan Barlow, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Alex Fojticek, Ethan Hamilton, Dion McGhee, Demi Mitchell, Kieran O'Hara, Largie Ramazani and George Tanner have the option to return to the Aon Training Complex whenever pre-season commences for the 2020/201 season before taking the next step in their careers.
Each of them have enjoyed unrivalled experiences with the Reds, including playing in European competition and, of course, in the case of Borthwick-Jackson, Mitchell and Ramazani, achieving the goal of every Reds youngster by appearing for the first team.
Some have had loan spells elsewhere, which will stand them in good stead for the future.
AIDAN BARLOW
The attacking midfielder came through the ranks with United and had a loan spell away from the club with Tromso, in Norway, at the start of this season. A creative force, he showed his qualities when returning to boost the Under-23s' bid for promotion in Premier League 2. The 20-year-old from Salford scored in his first game back for Neil Wood's side, at Norwich City, and looked to have benefited from experiencing the competitive nature of senior football in Scandinavia.
CAMERON BORTHWICK-JACKSON
The left-back broke into the first team during Louis van Gaal's tenure, making his debut against West Brom. Displaying an unflappable nature, he adapted well to the step up and made 14 appearances in total. Formerly an England international at a variety of levels up to Under-20s, he has had loan spells with Wolves, Leeds United, Scunthorpe United, Tranmere Rovers and, most recently, Oldham Athletic. He was our 2016 Denzil Haroun Reserves Player of the Year.
ALEX FOJTICEK
An imposing goalkeeper who joined from Tatran Presov in 2016 and racked up the appearances between the sticks for our Under-18s. The Slovakian helped the youngsters top the northern division in 2017/18 and formed a close friendship with fellow keeper Matej Kovar. A loan stint with Stalybridge Celtic was so successful it was extended in January as he learned to deal with the rigours of men's football and growing in stature.
ETHAN HAMILTON
The robust midfielder is a Scotland Under-19 midfielder who was on the bench for the 2018 Emirates FA Cup tie against Huddersfield Town. After signing a professional contract, he went on the summer tour with the senior squad and featured in a high-profile game with AC Milan. The next step of his development was a loan move to Rochdale, where he made an instant impact with some eye-catching performances. Another temporary switch followed, to Southend United, before he headed to Bolton Wanderers in January.
DION McGHEE
A creative midfielder who also showed his versatility this season by operating at full-back. The Oldham-born youngster broke into the Under-18s side when Kieran McKenna was in charge and then progressed into the Under-23s set-up. At 19, he has gained much experience with lead coach Neil Wood's team and performed against continental opposition this term, including the friendly against Benfica's B team in Lisbon.
DEMI MITCHELL
A speedy forward in the youth side, terrorising defences with Marcus Rashford in the Under-18s, he was successfully converted to left-back and, such was his progress, he made a first-team debut against Crystal Palace in the final match of the 2016/17 season at Old Trafford. Two loan transfers to Hearts in Scotland were a big success until injury cut short his time in Edinburgh, after earning glowing praise for his efforts. The 23-year-old won the European Under-17 Championship with England in 2014 and has since been capped at Under-20 level by his country.
KIERAN O'HARA
An excellent spell with Burton Albion this term has shown the Academy has produced another goalkeeper capable of shining at league level. Although born locally, he opted to represent Republic of Ireland and earned a first senior cap against Bulgaria last September. It was just reward for his displays with the Under-21s and he followed it up with a start against New Zealand. The Burton loan was the next step after stints with Trafford, Fylde, Morecambe, Stockport County and Macclesfield Town, where he won the club's Player-of-the-Year award in 2019.
LARGIE RAMAZANI
The Belgian attacker arrived from Charlton Athletic and helped the Under-23s impress in Premier League 2 Division 2 this season. By furthering his education in the UEFA Youth League and the EFL Trophy, he has developed his game and posed a real goal threat. The 19-year-old came off the bench in Kazakhstan against Astana to make his senior bow for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Reds in the Europa League last November.
GEORGE TANNER
A United supporter, he is another who was converted from a winger into a full-back. The 20-year-old did so well in the new role that he attracted attention from other clubs and joined Morecambe on loan at the start of the campaign, holding down a regular place in the side. Another move within League Two was secured during the January transfer window when he agreed to sign for Salford City. By appearing in the UEFA Youth League, he also furthered his education after previously being capped by England Under-17s.
Everybody at United would like to sincerely thank the players for their efforts and wish them all the very best of luck for the future.