Manchester United’s recruitment drive for the youth academy has been at the forefront of the club’s planning in recent years.
The Red Devils have spent a lot of money on signings for their academy. Hannibal Mejbri, for example, joined the club from AS Monaco a few years back for a fee in the region of £9 million.
The Red Devils, in recent years, have signed Alejandro Garnacho from Atletico Madrid, and Alvaro Fernandez from Real Madrid just to name a couple of examples.
Now, however, it seems the club are trying to change their strategy when it comes to youth recruitment with United seemingly axing five members of staff.
What does the report say
According to Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail, United have decided to axe five members of staff with Jim Skeldon, Brian Mcfarlane, Dave Bailey, Ronnie Cusick and Gavin Oliver all set to leave the club.
According to the report, United have confirmed that a ‘small number’ of coaches have left the club which was part of a wider restructuring to enhance the academy’s recruitment work.
And, as part of this recruitment drive, the club has reportedly agreed a new contract with a highly-rated academy player.
Youngster extends
According to the same report, Joe Hugill, who scored against Leeds United in Oslo, is set to be rewarded with a new contract extension after he impressed Erik ten Hag during pre-season.
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The 19-year-old, who joined from Sunderland in 2020 and could be a loan target for the Wearsiders in January, went away on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, with Ten Hag keen to see what he can offer.
United reportedly rebuffed an approach from the EFL Championship in the Summer and it seems the forward is part of the Dutchman’s plans going forward.
It seems a loan move could be sanctioned for the forward in January, though.