Manchester United are close to agreeing a new contract with talented young centre-back Sonny Aljofree.
Fabrizio Romano reports via X that Sonny Aljofree is poised to sign a contract extension which will run for another three years, to June 2027.
He reports: “Agreement in place over deal valid until June 2027, three year contract. Talks at final stages for the talented centre back.”
Aljofree’s previous deal at Manchester United was due to expire in June 2025.
Who is Sonny Aljofree
Sonny Aljofree, 19, is a Plymouth-born centre-back who has been working his way through Manchester United’s academy.
Aljofree made his under-18s debut back in 2021 when just 16. He was part of the squad which won the FA Youth Cup in 2022. While he did not make the squad for the final, he did play in the win over Everton on the way to the final.
He has also featured in the UEFA Youth League, and made his Manchester United under-21s debut in January 2023.
He has racked up 67 academy appearances to date at under-18s level or higher. Last season he played 22 times, scoring once.
Aljofree was handed the under-21 captaincy in January, wearing the armband in eight of the final nine games of the season.
He has twice been sent on a development loan to non-league Altrincham, although did not play a game for them.
In pre-season Aljofree played 45 minutes against Rosenborg, and was an unused substitute against Rangers.
Sonny Aljofree’s dad
Sonny Aljofree’s dad is Hasney Aljofree, who was in the Manchester United academy as a player in the mid-90s.
A former England youth international, Hasney Aljofree moved to Bolton Wanderers in 1996 where he went on to make his professional debut.
He made more than 260 professional appearances, playing for Bolton, Dundee United, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham Athletic and Swindon Town.
Hasney Aljofree was working as a youth coach at Manchester United, before taking up a new role as head of coach development and education for FA Singapore earlier this month.
What next for Sonny Aljofree
Sonny Aljofree’s new deal could hint at a potential loan move. With just one year remaining on his current deal, it is common for United to hand out an extension prior to a loan, this happened with Joe Hugill earlier in 2024.
Aljofree does face a tall order to make it at Manchester United. Not being selected on the pre-season tour will have come as a disappointment.
But the new extension to 2027 is a clear show of faith from the club, and Aljofree could follow the Will Fish path, spending a couple of seasons out on loan, gaining experience, to be re-assessed. And United always need centre-backs.
United are keeping the door open, and whether a loan comes now, or in the second half of the campaign, Aljofree’s progress will be worth watching.
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