The U18 season came to a painful end for Manchester United on Thursday night, but who has been the best performer for Darren Fletcher’s side?
Manchester United lost the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City to round off a disappointing few weeks for the young Red Devils.
This comes just a few weeks after United lost the Premier League Cup final to Crystal Palace, meaning United finish trophyless despite reaching two finals and challenging for the league until the very end.
United’s U18s will be back next season, better and ready to win, but with the 2025/26 season in the books, who was the best performer in Darren Fletcher’s side? Here are the top five.
Predict who will be the next Manchester United academy graduate…
Will Michael Carrick crown number 259 before this season ends?🤔
5. Yuel Helafu
In at number five is right-back Yuel Helafu.
A first-year scholar at the club, Helafu has shocked United staff with how quickly he has been developing this season, and he quickly earned first-team recognition as a reward.
Helafu has been an ever-present in Fletcher’s side, playing both on the left and the right, with his role as an inverted right-back particularly impressive.
He has also played for the U21s, not for the U18s is where Helafu has really starred, deserving a place on this list.
4. Noah Ajayi
Noah Ajayi comes in at fourth in our season rankings for the U18s.
Ajayi only really burst onto the scene in 2026, having seen injuries and a lack of game time spoil the first-half of his season.
However, Ajayi has been on fire since February with 11 goal contributions in 13 games and has pushed himself into consideration among the best in the academy.
The German youth international is so impressive, and he will be banging on the door of a debut next season if his development continues.
3. Godwill Kukonki
In third, Godwill Kukonki.
It’s been 18 months since Kukonki impressed Ruben Amorim, but he’s so much better than he was back then, and this season he’s been among the best.
Vital at left-back, with a huge drop off without him, Kukonki has improved tenfold on the ball, and as a left-back, he’s a really unique profile.
Kukonki is dominant in U18 football, and a debut in the first team over the summer or next season feels likely.
2. Jim Thwaites
Where will Jim Thwaites be in 12 months?
He's got all the tools to excel in the Manchester United first-team…
This season, Jim Thwaites has been wonderful and deserving of all the praise he is getting.
United’s U18 side are a different side with and without Thwaites, and his performances have seen him push toward the cusp of the first-team.
Thwaites has gotten first-team recognition, and he is bound to get further chances potentially as soon as this season. He is ready to step up, with his U18 performances proving it weekly.
He is too good not to prioritise and fast-track in the coming months. Unfortunately, he’s finished at an U18 level.
1. JJ Gabriel
JJ Gabriel has been prolific in 2025/26: What is your INSTANT REACTION to his stunning academy season?
He won the U18s Premier League Player of the Year
What can be said about JJ Gabriel that hasn’t already been heralded about the fantastic 15-year-old after his record-breaking 33-goal contribution campaign?
Well, very little, other than more praise.
Gabriel won the U18 Premier League player of the season award and was United’s standout player all season long, carrying a young attack at times.
Considering he was 14 at the start of this season, Gabriel is destined for the stars and could very well be on tour with United during pre-season and probably debuts next season.
Can’t wait to see how he develops in the next 12 months.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
