Manchester United youngster Cameron Byrne-Hughes is attracting attention.
It is not easy for a youth team goalkeeper to grab attention, especially when playing for a Manchester United under-18s team that typically dominate games.
Cameron Byrne-Hughes has found a way. A clip of his on-ball ability has gone viral from United’s 5-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
Byrne-Hughes is seen outside the box dribbling past an opponent, before playing a defence-splitting pass to create a chance for striker Louie Bradbury.
Cameron Byrne-Hughes key facts
- Cameron Byrne-Hughes
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Date of birth: 2/11/2007
- Place of birth: Ashton-under-Lyne
- Citizenship: England / Wales
Will Manchester United’s academy midfield group produce another world class talent?
Scholes, Mainoo, ???? Who is the next one up?
Cameron Byrne-Hughes debut as a winger
Cameron Byrne-Hughes made his Manchester United under-18s debut in February 2024 when he was only 16.
He was handed his debut by then coach Adam Lawrence, contributing to the team’s title-winning season in 2023/24, in unusual circumstances.
Instead of playing in his usual position in goal, Byrne-Hughes was brought off the substitutes’ bench as a winger.
In an under-18s game against Middlesbrough, United had already made four changes when Jack Kingdon went down with an injury in the 74th minute.
United played on with 10 men, but then in the 86th minute, forward Ashton Missin went down with an injury too.
Playing on with nine men was less preferable, and Byrne-Hughes was called upon as a winger to help United see out the final few minutes of the 3-0 victory.
It was unusual – but it should not be a surprise to now see Byrne-Hughes going viral in 2026 for a piece of play on the ball with his feet.
Byrne-Hughes made his first under-18s appearance as a goalkeeper in September 2024, coincidentally against the same opponents, a 4-0 win over Middlesbrough.
Travis Binnion handed Byrne-Hughes his under-21s debut in March 2025 – but he has only played at this level once.
Cameron Byrne-Hughes in 2025/26
This season Byrne-Hughes was selected for the FA Youth Cup for the first time, and has played in every round in 2025/26 on the way to the quarter-finals.
As frequently happens at academy level, Byrne-Hughes is splitting playing time at under-18s level with younger stopper Fred Heath.
He has not played for the under-21s at all this campaign, with Will Murdock between the sticks. Next season he will make the step up.
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