Academy Briefing: Hughes joins Newport

DAVE HUGHES LEAVES FOR NEWPORT

Our Under-21s assistant coach Dave Hughes will leave the club to become manager of League Two side Newport County.

Dave joined United in August 2022, having previously been head of Academy at Cardiff City, and has been a valuable part of the coaching staff since.

“Dave has played an important part in the recent success of the Academy since, working closely with Travis Binnion on the development of several young players on their journeys towards the senior squads both at Manchester United, and elsewhere in the Football League or in Europe.

“We are proud to have supported his development. We have created an environment in which our staff can progress just as much as our players, and the number of our coaching alumni working in the Football League is a great sign of the quality of our work.”

FREDRICSON RECEIVES DEBUT FRAME

Congratulations to Academy graduate 254, Tyler Fredricson, who was presented with his debut frame at Carrington in front of the Graduate Wall last week.

“These are legends I’ve heard about all through the Academy,” he said, inspecting the people in whose footsteps he follows, such as Duncan Edwards, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best. Tyler himself picked out Geoff Bent and Mark Hughes in particular.

“Sitting there in the changing room, there were a few nerves. And then just excitement,” Tyler remembered of his debut, back in April

“Walking out to the fans, and my family and friends, with the famous song, and then all the fans singing along as well. It’s an incredible stadium with incredible fans, so it was a special moment.

“Right the way through the Academy, we’ve gone to the games. It gives us that hope, that little bit to inspire us and that determination to get there ourselves. Thankfully, it has for me.”

Watch the full feature to see more from Tyler on his journey to the first team, insight from Nick Cox and the moment that this young Red found out he’d won a prestigious award.

FREDRICSON NAMED DENZIL HAROUN RESERVE-TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Two days after his debut frame presentation at Carrington, Tyler was at Old Trafford to receive the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year trophy.

The Manchester-born 20-year-old has shown great development across the season, while regularly captaining the club’s youth sides in the UEFA Youth League, Premier League 2, National League Cup and EFL Trophy.

His consistent performances in those competitions, as well as an excellent attitude in training, earned Tyler a first-team debut under Ruben Amorim in April. He excelled as a starter at Old Trafford against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and has since started once more, away at Brentford.

Fredricson follows team-mate Elyh Harrison as recipient of the prestigious award. Other previous winners include Nicky Butt, John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher.

Nick Cox said: “Tyler has shown fantastic qualities of perseverance, determination and patience to earn first-team opportunities this season.

“When you add that to the quality he’s demonstrated since he first joined our pre-Academy, you get a really impressive young footballer. Tyler has captained our youth sides in a variety of competitions across two different age levels, and always represented the club with distinction.

“His performances at Under-21s level saw him become a part of the senior training group, like many of our players this season. We’re very proud of how our players have conducted themselves, but especially pleased when they show enough in training to earn the manager’s trust, as Tyler has done.”

HARRY AMASS RECEIVES JIMMY MURPHY AWARD

Left-back Harry Amass was with Tyler as he received the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award after a standout 2024/25 campaign.

Following an excellent debut season with the club, winning three trophies with the Under-18s in 2024, Amass has waited patiently and worked hard to earn himself first-team opportunities under Ruben Amorim.

He made his debut as a substitute in victory at Leicester City on 16 March, and has since started four further Premier League games.

Amass has also helped United reach the Europa League final, contributing to both the breathless 5-4 extra-time victory over Lyon in the quarter-final and the semi-final success over Athletic Club.

Director of Academy Nick Cox said: “We’re delighted to recognise Harry’s hard work and achievements with this award.

“Since joining the club, he’s shown an ability to adapt, settle into a new environment and progress as a person and a player. Harry had an outstanding first season with the club, and was already enjoying time around the first team in 2023/24 as a result.

“Harry has represented the Under-18s in the league and FA Youth Cup this season, enjoyed UEFA Youth League experience at Old Trafford and in the Netherlands with the Under-19s, and played for the Under-21s in the league and EFL Trophy. These experiences, and the work done by the Professional Development Phase staff, helped him prepare for the opportunity when it came, and we’ve been delighted to see the trust placed in Harry by Ruben Amorim and his staff.”

Amass inherits our Young Player of the Year award from Ethan Wheatley, who made his senior bow as the club’s 250th Academy graduate in 2023/24.

Other notable past recipients include Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

Congratulations on the award, Harry!

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Sekou Kone will represent Mali at the upcoming Toulon Tournament, a prestigious competition where many talented Reds have honed their talents in the past. Read more here.

Gabriele Biancheri is benefiitng from senior opportunities, too, having recently been a part of Craig Bellamy's Wales training camp in Spain. He will now travel to Canada to be a part of their upcoming training squad. Biancheri is eligible for the country of his birthplace (Wales), and that of his mother (Canada) and father (Italy). The chances with both Wales and Canada are allowing him further exposure to elite environments, having trained with United's first team occasionally this season. Enjoy it, Gabe!