Manchester United have made Connor Hunter the new head of academy recruitment following an 8-year stint at the club, occupying multiple roles.
Among the changes Ineos have made at Manchester United is a reshuffle of the staff that work within the academy.
The latest surprise saw Adam Lawrence return to United as U21s lead coach.
Lawrence is already a popular figure at United, having won the Treble with United’s U18s in 2023/24. He has returned until the end of the current campaign, just four months after joining Newcastle.
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On top of that, Darren Fletcher recently took on additional responsibilities as U18s lead coach. The former Scotland international will be leading the professional development phase (U17 to U21) until the end of the season.
United are trying to ensure that they have the best personnel possible to run the academy, but that became a greater task after losing Nick Cox to Everton.
Connor Hunter becomes Man Utd Head of Academy Recruitment
Although United had their eyes on a candidate who works at another Premier League club, an internal promotion has taken place to find a new head of academy recruitment.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United have promoted Connor Hunter to the role, despite previously holding talks to appoint Paul Midgley from Newcastle.
Midgley currently works at Newcastle as head of youth recruitment, but he decided to stay at St James’ Park.
This means Hunter will play a key role in ensuring the delivery of an Academy Scouting and Recruitment Department to help bring the best young players to the club.
On top of that, United must ensure they have the best people in place to help these young footballers develop with a pathway to the senior level.
It could prove beneficial that Hunter has already spent eight years at United in multiple roles. He has worked as the academy lead phase scout, the pre-academy manager, head of local recruitment, lead phase scout, and national scouting manager.
That means Hunter has impressed key figures of the club, even though they arrived after Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner.
Hunter will report to Jason Wilcox as football director, Academy directors, recruitment managers, scouts, analysts, and technical staff.
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Connor Hunter’s key responsibilities
United outlined many of Hunter’s key responsibilities when they began looking for a new head of academy recruitment in October 2025.
Hunter will need to develop and implement the academy’s recruitment strategy in line with United’s philosophy.
The job includes responsibilities such as talent identification as well as recruitment.
On top of everything else, Hunter must uphold United’s brand, standards, and professional conduct at all times.
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