Manchester United’s U18 side are back in the Premier League Cup final this season. But what happened to the 2024 side that claimed the trophy?
Wednesday night sees the first U18 silverware of the season on the line, as Manchester United face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
This comes two years after United beat Man City in the 2024 final, en route to a treble season.
Adam Lawrence’s squad was stacked with talent, with the final team seeing two first team graduates in Shea Lacey and Bendito Mantato along with potential star of next season Jacob Devaney on the bench.
The bench
- Habeeb Ogunneye – On loan and currently back at Carrington.
- Bendito Mantato – First team graduate but out injured right now.
- Shea Lacey – Permanent first team squad member, topping up minutes in the U21s.
- Jacob Devaney – On a breakout loan at St Mirren, has chance to step up next season.
- Gabriele Biancheri – On loan at Rotherham having outgrown academy football.
The starting line-up also had a lot of talent.
Predict who will be the next Manchester United academy graduate…
Will Michael Carrick crown number 259 before this season ends?🤔
Elyh Harrison – Goalkeeper
In goal on the day was Elyh Harrison, with the 20-year-old promising to become a star of the future.
Now: Harrison is still at United in the academy ranks having been recalled from Shrewsbury in January as he struggles to find his feet in senior football.
Harry Amass – Left-back
Harry Amass was the starting left-back for United in the cup final victory, and at the time was considered one of the finest in the squad.
Now: After the successful 2023/24 campaign, Amass had a breakout pre-season before making his debut for United at the during the 2024/25 season.
Amass subsequently earned a Championship loan to Sheffield Wednesday where he starred. Amass was Wednesday’s best player, before joining Norwich on loan in January only for injury to halt his campaign.
Next season he will be aiming to succeed Luke Shaw.
Jack Kingdon – Centre-back
Centre-back Jack Kingdon was superb at this level for Lawrence’s side during the treble winning season.
Now: Kingdon went on loan to Rochdale last season before United released him at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
He now represents Cardiff City at an U21 level, working towards making the leap to the first-team.
Which youngster are you MOST excited to watch during pre-season?
With the World Cup this summer, pre-season will have plenty of academy involvement🔮
Louis Jackson – Centre-back
Louis Jackson was a key member of the United cup winning side, playing in the centre of defence. Jackson got first-team opportunities during this season, named on the bench for the FA Cup semi-final.
Now: At the moment, Jackson remains at United, playing for the U21 side and has been key for the reserve side since returning from a loan at Solihull Moors in January.
James Nolan – Right-back
Right-back James Nolan was a regular for United in this U18 campaign, shining and he earned himself a loan to Inverness as a result.
Now: Nolan was released by United last summer, joining Marine FC before then joining Charnock Richard in the North West Counties Football League.
Finley McAllister – Midfield
Massive United fan Finley McAllister was a starter for this Premier League Cup final.
Now: Having overcame multiple injury set-backs, McAllister remains in the academy system, playing a squad role for the U21s.
McAllister has had first-team training exposure, but a breakthrough doesn’t feel likely.
Ruben Curley – Midfield
Partnering McAllister in midfield was Ruben Curley.
Now: Curley was signed by Stoke City in February 2025 and he played for their U21 side over the course of the season.
The 20-year-old then joined Curzon Ashton on loan in February of this year, where he has been playing regularly in the National League North.
Jack Fletcher – Attacking midfield
Starting in attacking midfield was Jack Fletcher, with the talented teenager among the crown jewels of that team.
Now: Since this final, Fletcher took his talents into the U21 ranks to equal success as U18 football, proving himself a top prospect.
This season Fletcher made his United debut under Ruben Amorim, playing a handful of times during December.
Fletcher has been undeniable for the U21s since then, with his breakthrough likely to continue in pre-season and next season with additional games to play.
James Scanlon – Right-wing
James Scanlon was last season’s standout U18 player with his goals and performances continuing from the 2023/24 season.
Now: Scanlon has spent the second half of this season on loan at Swindon Town.
Scanlon scored on his loan debut, but since has struggled for game time and in his performances not being up to Ian Holloway’s demands.
Ethan Williams – Left-wing
One of the stars of this U18 side was Ethan Williams, as he scored 11 goals and assisted six.
Now: Williams has been on a handful of loans since his U18 days, including a successful spell with Cheltenham during the 2024/25 season.
Williams then scored during pre-season under Amorim, showing that he might be one to watch in the future.
Before this season he has been at Falkirk, where things haven’t quite gone to plan with Scottish football a struggle for him in the same way it was for Amad.
Ethan Wheatley – Striker
The starting striker throughout this campaign was Ethan Wheatley, as he even made his first-team debut at the back end of the 2023/24 campaign in which he scored 18 U18 goals.
Now: Since his prolific U18 days, Wheatley has slowly but surely been working his way through the EFL on loans.
First at Walsall, then Northampton to some success, before joining Bradford where he has had some good form despite a lack of goals.
Wheatley looks good value to have a strong career, whether that be at United or more likely elsewhere.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
