Manchester United supporters have been left perplexed over a lack of coverage of the academy teams.
The jewel in Manchester United’s crown as the biggest team in English football is the club’s world-leading academy.
United’s academy is famed for the ‘Class of 92‘, and even further back to the Busby Babes, while the 2022 FA Youth Cup winning side has spawned two regular first team stars already.
Last season the under-18s won three trophies, and there has been heavy investment with Sekou Kone set to join six young players bought already this summer.
The trouble is, Manchester United fans have not been able to watch the academy teams in action so far this year.
Lack of academy coverage
Arguably the main reason Manchester United supporters subscribe to MUTV is to watch the under-21 and under-18 teams to keep an eye on the stars of the future.
This season already the under-21s have played three games, a 4-2 loss to Arsenal, a 4-1 win over Stoke, and a 3-2 win over Barnsley in the EFL Trophy.
The under-18s beat rivals City 2-0 at the weekend, and have just played out a dramatic 2-1 win over Leicester in the Premier League Cup group stages.
None of these five matches have been broadcast on MUTV, without any explanation.
This has left United supporters frustrated, and an outcry on social media.
One fan wrote: “Can’t believe #MUFC have just sacked off academy coverage without any notice to MUTV customers. Criminal.”
Another lamented: “Watching the academy is the only reason I keep MUTV, couldn’t understand why not scheduled??”
A third wrote: “Academy games is the only reason why I sub to MUTV.”
“Why exactly am I paying for MUTV?”, asked another, amid the news the game at Leicester was not being broadcast.
“If they stop showing academy games no one will subscribe to MUTV… only reason people still do is the u21 and academy games!”
Next two academy matches on the schedule
There could be some light at the end of the tunnel for supporters, amid a claim the next two academy matches will be screened live.
The MEN report Manchester United’s under-21 game with Blackburn Rovers will be shown live at 7pm this Friday, followed by the under-18s fixture against Liverpool at 11am.
Whether this leads to sustained, consistent coverage, will be one to keep an eye on. Coverage during the 2022/23 season and 2023/24 was scattered, with matches frequently not shown live.
Manchester United’s academy is something the club should be proud of, with more than 250 graduates reaching the first team, and the fans care passionately.
The club have let supporters down with their non-existent coverage this season. It’s about time that changes.
- United In Focus provide dedicated coverage of the academy and will continue to do so throughout the 2024/25 season.
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