At this time of year, Academy players’ contracts are set to expire at Manchester United, as the squads start to take shape in advance of the 2020/21 season.
While some will inevitably move on, the Under-23s welcome the older members of the Academy group, who step up to Premier League 2 football. An intake of first-year scholars then replaces them in the Under-18s.
Throughout the period of lockdown, the Academy has continued to place the well-being of its players at the forefront of all activities. Therefore, the decision was made to further increase the extensive level of care that is provided to the club’s departing young professionals.
All outgoing players have been offered a package of support which includes the option to return to the Aon Training Complex for pre-season, in order to maintain fitness ahead of the next stage of their careers.
Discussions between parents, coaches and players took place significantly ahead of the curtailment of the Academy games programme. United have since began to organise trials at new clubs wherever possible and will continue to provide each individual with comprehensive support throughout the process.
The decision has also been made that, given the missed opportunities at the end of the 2019/20 season, every player below the age of 18 will continue with United into the next campaign. In total, 202 boys have been retained and the Academy looks forward to welcoming them back to training when it is appropriate to do so.
The following players from this season’s Under-23 squad remain under professional contract with the club:
Di’Shon Bernard
Luca Ercolani
Ethan Galbraith
Matej Kovar
Ethan Laird
Dylan Levitt
D’Mani Mellor
Arnau Puigmal
Max Taylor
Aliou Traore
Paul Woolston
The following players from this season’s Under-18 squad remain either under professional contract or continue their scholarships with the club:
Lukasz Bejger
Jacob Carney
Oliver Denham
Reece Devine
Owen Dodgson
Anthony Elanga
Noam Emeran
William Fish
Calen Gallagher-Allison
Johan Guadagno
Bjorn Hardley
Max Haygarth
Mark Helm
Ben Hockenhull
Dillon Hoogewerf
Iestyn Hughes
Zidane Iqbal
Ondrej Mastny
Charlie McCann
Dermot Mee
Hannibal Mejbri
Mateo Mejia
Teden Mengi
Harvey Neville
Charlie Savage
Ayodeji Sotona
Connor Stanley
Martin Svidersky
Charlie Wellens
The following players will leave the club following the expiry of their contracts:
Aidan Barlow
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
Alex Fojticek
Ethan Hamilton
Dion McGhee
Demetri Mitchell
Kieran O’Hara
Largie Ramazani
George Tanner
Manchester United would like to thank the departing players for their contributions during their time at the club and wish them the very best of luck for the future.
A further announcement will be made in due course regarding the intake of first-year scholars for the Under-18s squad in 2020/21.
