Manchester United have failed to take advantage of the talent in the Championship in recent years, but this summer, that could change.
Over the past few years, the Championship has seen plenty of talent come through the league before going on to bigger and better things.
Nothing illustrates this better than the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award winners over recent years.
- 2025: Jobe Bellingham (now at Borussia Dortmund)
- 2024: Archie Gray (now at Tottenham)
- 2023: Alex Scott (now at Bournemouth)
- 2022: Brennan Johnson (now at Crystal Palace)
- 2021: Michael Olise (now at Bayern Munich)
- 2020: Jude Bellingham (now at Real Madrid)
This is an impressive list, and Manchester United should therefore have a close eye on 2026’s winner.
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Jordan James should be on the Manchester United midfield shortlist
Missing out on previous winners has been shown to be an error, with United currently chasing Alex Scott for a fee far beyond what he would have cost to sign from Bristol City.
But United can correct this by considering a move to sign the 2026 winner, Jordan James, who was on loan at relegated Leicester City.
In a woeful season for the former Premier League champions, it was James who stood out, winning the club’s Men’s Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, and Young Player of the Year – to go with his Championship Young Player of the Year.
After this season, James will head back to his parent club, Rennes, with English clubs set to do battle for him.
Crystal Palace want the 21-year-old, and judging from the calibre of prior winners, United should also be paying close attention as a cheaper midfield signing, with £20m being thrown around.
James was one of the most creative midfielders in the Championship this season, with 55 chances created, ranking him in the 95th percentile.
The Welshman is one Ineos should be looking at closely.
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James isn’t Manchester United’s only target at Leicester
James will have caught the attention of United scouts this season, who have been documented to have interest in Leicester City pair Jeremy Monga and Louis Page.
These would be two academy signings, to either fight for a first-team place or be loaned.
It has been claimed that United are plotting a formal move for Monga in particular, as he is considered one of the best U18 wingers in England.
Monga is a record breaker, and his arrival would be an interesting move by United to bolster the ranks without having to spend massively.
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