Dante Plunkett makes first official start as Manchester United u18s player since deal confirmed

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Manchester United have been active in the market for young players this summer. The first has begun to bed in.

Prior to the deal for Sekou Kone which is not yet complete, Manchester United struck agreements to sign six teenage prospects.

Such is the protracted nature of deals for young players, these are taking time to process. For instance, moves for Samuel Lusale and Chido Obi-Martin are awaiting FA ratification.

United are also awaiting clearance for a move for Australian talent James Overy.

This leaves Camron Mpofu and Silva Mexes, two recruits for the under-16s, and Dante Plunkett, who will part of the under-18s this season,

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

Dante Plunkett starts in under-18s win

Dante Plunkett signed for Manchester United’s under-18s side from Aston Villa’s academy at the start of the summer.

The promising left-back started for United’s under-18s in the Premier League Cup win over Leicester City, with young striker Gabriele Biancheri netting a brace.

Plunkett started the 2-1 victory, playing the opening 45 minutes before being taken off as part of a pre-planned substitution along with Amir Ibragimov.

The 16-year-old youngster sent a message out on Instagram after the win, writing: “It feels good to be back!”

Plunkett came on as a 89th minute substitute in United’s 2-0 win over City at under-18s level

Last season he actually played one match for United’s under-18s as a starter, as a trialist, before he had agreed his move from Aston Villa.

United defence of Premier League Cup begins

United will soon hope to have clearance to add more new faces into the mix at under-18s and under-21s level.

Chido Obi-Martin is set to get some gametime for Denmark’s under-18s side while he waits for his move to United to go through.

In the meantime, the 2-1 win at Leicester required a 97th penalty winner from Biancheri, with United coming from a goal down in the second half.

This was a good start in the team’s defence of Premier League Cup, one of three trophies the under-18s won last season.

Many of those who featured, including Ethan Wheatley and Ethan Williams, have now stepped up to the 21s.

Adam Lawrence’s side has a batch of new faces, with Plunkett’s deal confirmed in early July in time for him to be named as one of 10 scholars stepping up a level.