Man Utd’s new academy chief Stephen Torpey shares ultimate objective, ‘we don’t want…’

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Stephen Torpey has shared his ultimate objective after being appointed Manchester United Academy director in August.

Replacing Nick Cox at Manchester United is not going to be an easy task, but Stephen Torpey arrived at Carrington earlier this season to fill a crucial role that can shape the future of the football club.

United’s academy has some of the most talented footballers in the country, aged between 14 and 19, and many of them will be hoping to follow the 254 graduates who played for the first team.

While there is room for improvement, United’s youth teams are in safe hands with figures like Travis Binnion and Darren Fletcher working hard to help aid their development as young footballers.

Torpey is now a crucial figure in youth development at United, playing a huge role behind the scenes following Cox’s decision to move to Everton as football director.

Stephen Torpey wants to avoid ‘token gesture’ selections from Man Utd academy

United fans are immensely proud of the club’s 88-year record of having an academy product in every matchday squad.

That record was in doubt before the international break when Kobbie Mainoo’s injury ruled him out of the squad against Tottenham Hotspur. This led to England youth international, Jack Fletcher, travelling with Amorim’s squad.

The 18-year-old is yet to make his first team debut for United, but he did feature on the bench several times last season.

Speaking on Manchester United’s ‘Inside Carrington’ podcast, Torpey shared his vision for the future of the club, with his aim to produce players from the academy who are ready for the first team.

“We don’t want it to be a token gesture that we have players in our first team to keep a tradition going,” Torpey said.

“We want players who are ready, can make an impact and make our first team better, and who our fans can be proud of.

“There is no greater feeling than one of your own stepping out.”

It remains to be seen if Mainoo will return to the team on Monday night when Everton visit Old Trafford. Otherwise, it will be a chance for Fletcher to make his debut, perhaps as a substitute.

What changes will be made at Man Utd under Stephen Torpey?

Torpey was asked how the academy would change under his leadership.

Cox spent nine years at the club and Torpey is keen to sustain everything that is already in place.

The aim is to improve in every department and way possible.

“It’s still early days for me, but ultimately we’ve got to sustain everything that’s happened in the past and sustain the high level of delivery and development of our young players,” he added.

“And this is an institution. This is world-renowned. It’s almost that privilege and that pinch yourself moment to be here, sat here talking about this.

“But at the same time, we’ve got to take all these things from the historic upbringing and the way that Manchester United is and what it represents, take all those amazing things, enhance them further if we can, and do more of them in terms of our welcoming nature for the young players.

“But also looking at things that are going to make us even better, you know, and how can we make them better? It goes back to that critical thinking again and asking the right questions and developing certain areas.

“The most important thing is we’ve got a first-team environment right now that is world class. And we’ve got to do the same. It’s very good where we are right now.

“And it’s served us well, but we’ve also got to make something that is world class, innovative and gives us the spaces and the technology that’s going to allow us to do an even better job in the modern era.”