Inside the Academy: Fredricson, cup wins and Joe T

I want to start with Tyler because his journey has been a long one with many challenges to face along the way, he represents the Academy journey so well. His story is unique to him, but it reflects the importance of possessing an outstanding character alongside technical abilities.

Born in Stockport, Tyler was initially identified as a prospect and joined our pre-Academy centre at The Cliff as an Under-8. His talent stood out from these early years. However, towards the end of his time in the Youth Development Phase (U12-U16), he was required to show great determination and resilience, being a little behind the curve in terms of physical maturation and facing growth-related injuries. Tyler is far from the only player to undergo this challenge. Scott McTominay is perhaps our most famous example, but there are many others. The challenges of maturation are explored in Lifeblood: Innovation, if you’re interested in learning more.

As a first-year scholar, Tyler was part of the 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning squad and was one of the most consistent performers in each of the rounds leading up to the final; he was devastated to miss the final having been taken ill a couple of days before the game.

The following season saw Tyler included in a first-team matchday squad for the first time, as an unused sub in September 2022’s Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad. In December that year, he then travelled with the senior squad to Spain as part of the winter training camp, featuring in the friendly match against Cadiz.

But, as is so often the case, despite being so close to a debut, Tyler had to show patience and determination for a little more than two years before his chance finally came. Football is often unpredictable and the reward for hard work is often comes slowly. Overnight success simply isn’t a phenomenon in our sport; so it’s important that we help young players to recognise this and develop the character to be ready for an opportunity when it comes.

Tyler’s journey is a nice reminder to us all that, while sometimes players take ‘route one’ to the first team, it is more common that the journey is slow, unpredictable and requires players to possess incredible patience, resilience and strength of character. Tyler showed all of these traits, and the Academy staff around him were fantastic along the way, as well as his own support network. We all look forward to seeing how he continues to develop over the remainder of this season and beyond.

It’d be wrong to only focus on Tyler, though. His involvement is just one headline in a fantastic few weeks for some of our boys. We’ve seen Chido Obi become United’s youngest-ever Premier League starter, in a team that is the third-youngest ever fielded by ANY Premier League side (away at Brentford). When Tyler was making his debut, Harry Amass was celebrating his first Old Trafford start.

When we were all celebrating that amazing comeback win over Lyon in the Europa League, we saw Harry, as well as Jack Moorhouse and Godwill Kukonki, running over to join in the great scenes with Casemiro and Harry Maguire and the rest. Those are special moments which will live with all of us, but especially those young lads, forever.

As for our Academy teams, the season is still not over. The Under-21s did well to reach the semi-finals of the Premier League 2 play-offs and fought hard against Manchester City, despite several players having been with Ruben's senior squad the night before. They'll learn plenty from the defeat. Likewise, the Under-18s might not have lifted the same silverware as last season, but there were some incredible moments along the way as that squad competed across five competitions. What we’re proud of is how much the team achieved while the players and coaches continued to focus on individual development, which is always central here at Carrington.

A couple of teams have tasted recent silverware success, though, and we should congratulate them. Our U15s won the Premier League Floodlit Cup Northern Final at City recently. Despite starting the game brilliantly, we somehow found ourselves 3-0 down. The boys fought back to equalise in the last minute of normal time and went on to win 4-3 after extra-time. The team were worthy winners, defending on the front foot throughout, dominating the ball whenever they could and showing incredible spirit to find a way to win from an almost impossible situation. We then hosted Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village for the National Final and were 3-1 winners. Our U14s were also winners, in the Premier League International Tournament, beating Chelsea in the semi-finals and City in the final. Again, what was most impressive was the way they went about winning; not only performing to a high level on the pitch and dominating games but also demonstrating outstanding behaviour off the pitch.

Later this weekend, our U13s play Arsenal in a final, too. We wish them well.

Trophies aren’t a measure of success for the Academy. I’ve said it many time before that our focus is on helping individuls to reach their full potential.  But it’s important our players know how to compete, and practice playing in big games from a young age. It's also important for the players to create memories that will last forever; what better way than winning a cup with your mates?

Our U16s, meanwhile, played their final game of this season’s programme, finishing slightly earlier than other sides to allow them to fully focus on their upcoming exams. While there were some nice moments in the game the real highlight of the day was a post-match dinner for players and parents to mark the end of the players time as a ‘schoolboy’ and to celebrate the fact that each of this year’s U16s have achieved scholarships; those not signing have been supported in joining clubs elsewhere.

And while all this has been going on, the start of several new journeys began at Old Trafford. This is what the Academy is like — busy!

The new intake of Under-8s signed their first official registration with the Academy ahead of next season, with players and families assembling at Old Trafford for a very special day. Kobbie Mainoo and Tyler Fredricson came along to give their advice and show their support. That’s what happens at this club. It’s such a special place.

Sadly, we also lost a key piece of what made it special recently. Everyone at the Academy was deeply saddened at the passing of our much-loved friend, Joe Thompson. His wife, Chantelle, and children remain firmly in our thoughts as they build towards a celebration of his life.

Joe joined United’s Academy aged nine and enjoyed seven fantastic years at the club. The Academy, he always said, provided him with both structure and purpose, and also allowed him to travel the world, make friends and grow in confidence. He would never stop paying tribute to its impact on his life. So, when he agreed to return to the club in 2023 — after a distinguished playing career defined by strength of character — to help us create and spearhead the launch of a formal Academy Alumni programme, we were absolutely delighted. Who better to help us? His popularity amongst his peers from his time at the club, ability to connect with people, his love of football and his enthusiasm were invaluable.

And that’s what we’ll all remember. Joe didn’t want to just be defined as a footballer. He saw it as one part of his life. What did define him was his ability to light up every room that he walked into. His energy, enthusiasm and positive outlook on the world was inspiring. He brought out the best in people.

Those who were lucky enough to be there will never forget Joe’s contribution to the formal launch of the Alumni programme last April. Having just announced to the media that he had been diagnosed with cancer for a third time, none of us expected Joe to attend the Old Trafford event. Not only did he turn up but he opened the evening with a speech; he didn’t want sympathy, he joked and smiled about the challenge he was going to have to face up to, and then spent the evening dedicating his time to seeing how he could support other people through the newly launched programme. Inspirational.

Joe regularly used a lovely phrase about how the Academy impacted his life; he would say that it taught him lessons ‘beyond the white lines’. He was clear that football has shaped his character and honed skills that prepared him for life in general, not just in football. That’s what our programme is really all about.

Those are the values we all aspire to at the Academy, and it’s why Joe will be so missed by us all. The Academy will continue to work hard to protect his legacy and honour the values that he passed on to so many young players. There is no better way to do that than to keep celebrating the extraordinary things that boys in our Academy are achieving each day.