Academy Briefing: Reds host PFA at Carrington

U21s HOST PFA XI

We welcomed a PFA XI to Carrington on Wednesday lunchtime for a friendly fixture. The PFA’s side is made up of a players currently without a club and has helped ex-Reds to find new clubs in the past.

Starring for the visitors on Wednesday were a mixture of older players with successful Football League careers, and those younger, who have recently left their boyhood teams.

The match provides a good opportunity for the PFA players to maintain match fitness and sharpness, and for scouts to assess them.

For United, it was a challenging game against older opponents. Connor Wickham scored a wonder goal early on before Shea Lacey responded with a fine curling strike to level before the break.

U21s DEFEAT MAN CITY

Binnion’s side continued a 100 per cent start to the new Premier League 2 season with a narrow victory over local rivals Manchester City at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.

Chido Obi had put the young Reds ahead shortly before half-time, after winning possession high up. An even game included spells of dominance for each side, and chances aplenty, with City levelling 15 minutes from time when Reigan Heskey poked neatly past Will Murdock from close range.

United showed resilience to wrestle back control of the fixture and lead once again, with substitutes Shea Lacey and Amir Ibragimov combining for a late winner.

UNDER-18s CONTINUE WINNING FORM

Manchester United's Under-18s continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-0 victory over Derby County on Saturday.

The young Reds were in complete control by the break in the East Midlands, thanks to a first-half hat-trick by Gabriel. Ibragimov added a fourth midway through the second half from the penalty spot.

That followed a midweek win by the same scoreline over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League Cup.

United have now won our opening four games of the season, and without conceding, while netting 14 goals.

GOOD LUCK ON LOAN

Good luck to four young Reds who secured loan moves towards the end of the transfer window.

Ethan Ennis began his time with Fleetwood Town with an impressive goalscoring debut in the EFL Trophy, having enjoyed an excellent spell in the same division (League Two) with promoted Doncaster Rovers last season.

Harry Amass will gain valuable experience in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday, while fellow defender Louis Jackson will build on time with Tranmere Rovers in 2024/25 with a season-long deal at Solihull Moors in the National League.

Ethan Williams, meanwhile, who netted on Tour 2025 in our 4-1 win over Bournemouth at Chicago’s Soldier Field, has signed a new contract and headed to Falkirk on loan in Scotland.

From those already out on loan, Jack Moorhouse netted his first goal for Leyton Orient in midweek — congratulations to him.

BEST WISHES TO ZACH BAUMANN

Everyone at Manchester United also wishes Zach Baumann the best of luck, and we’ll continue to follow his development closely, as he joins Norwich City on a permanent deal after progressing right the way through the Academy journey with us.

COMING UP

Many of our Academy players are proudly representing their nations during the international break. After they return, the league schedule resumes, with the U18s hosting Burnley. The U21s' next competitive fixture is in the National League Cup, against Brackley. Both games will be shown live on MUTV.

Further down the line, we have several exciting fixtures in the Premier League International Cup, and tickets for the opening game at Old Trafford, against Atheltic Club, are available now.

MUTV/TICKET INFO AT A GLANCE

Saturday 13 September | UNITED U18s v Burnley | 11:00 | Live on MUTV

Tuesday 16 September | Brackley v UNITED U21s | 19:00 | Live on MUTV, tickets available via Brackley

Saturday 20 September | Wolves v UNITED U18s | 11:30 | Live on MUTV

Sunday 21 September | Liverpool v UNITED U21s | 14:00 | Live on MUTV