Manchester United have announced 11 new scholarship deals for academy talents as they officially step up to under-18s level.
This is when it begins to get serious for the young players who have worked their way through Manchester United’s academy. Not all of them can make it, and earning a scholarship deal is just the start.
It is a commitment on the club’s part to giving them a chance to become professional footballers. The 2021 intake included Kobbie Mainoo, who has already started a game for the first team, while Dan Gore also featured in a pre-season match last week.
Ethan Williams was the standout of last years’ group, impressing for the under-18s throughout the season, and this year’s group will be looking to make the most of their opportunity.
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Victor Musa commitment
Many of the 11 youngsters have already featured for the under-18s, such is Manchester United’s dedication to pushing young players up a level if they deserve it.
One notable name on the list is Victor Musa, a young striker who made really strong progress last season.
Musa, 16, has represented both Spain and England at youth level, and is also eligible to represent Nigeria.
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He was linked earlier in 2023 with Athletic Bilbao, with Spanish journalist Luis Calabor Núñez reporting they are keeping tabs on him.
For now his future is at Manchester United, and there is good reason to be excited about that. Musa scored six goals for the under-18s last season, and also netted in a friendly for the under-21s in May.
Manchester United scholars 2023
Here is a list of all 11 players selected for scholarship deals…
Goalkeeper
- Will Murdock
Defenders
- Jacob Devaney
- Jayden Kamason
- Reece Munro
Midfielders
- James Scanlon
- Zach Baumann
- Jayce Fitzgerald
- Shea Lacey
Forwards
- Victor Musa
- Sekou Kaba
- Gabriele Biancheri
There is lots of talent in this group, with Shea Lacey a particularly highly touted prospect who scored in an under-21 friendly at the weekend.
Gabriele Biancheri is a Wales youth international who signed for the Red Devils earlier this year and scored on his under-18s debut.
Kaba and Scanlon joined the club from Derby County in 2021 and nearly all of these players have featured for the under-18s already, with Fitzgerald and Lacey making their debuts at just 15.
All of these players will take inspiration from Mainoo’s rise to the first team within 18 months of signing his scholarship deal, and while not everyone will develop at the same pace, or to the same level, his progress shows what can be achieved.