Academy Briefing: In-form U21s continue busy schedule

Academy Briefing: In-form U21s continue busy schedule

The latest round-up on our world-famous Academy…

NEW DIRECTOR BEGINS WORK

Stephen Torpey has started work as Manchester United’s new Academy director.

Joining from Brentford, Stephen’s appointment as successor to Nick Cox was announced in August. Cox has joined Everton, where he’ll serve as technical director.

Torpey has recently led the rebuilding of Brentford’s youth structure, including the relaunch of a full Academy programme from Under-9s to Under-18s. Prior to his January 2024 arrival at the south-west London club, he had led Academy coaching across all groups at Manchester City, and at the Foundation phase, with Liverpool.

The UEFA A licence-holder outlined his pride at having the opportunity to lead United’s world-famous Academy.

“It is obviously a great time to be joining as the club enters an exciting new era,” he said last month. “I can’t wait to play my role in continuing the incredible tradition of youth development here.”

He began work at Carrington last Monday, and was present at the Under-21s’ exciting Premier League International Cup clash against Athletic Club at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

Everyone at the club gives a warm welcome to Stephen and wishes him the best of luck in his new role.

UNDER-21s SECURE LATE WIN AGAINST ATHLETIC

A late Stretford End winner secured a 2-1 win for United in our opening game of the 2025/26 Premier League International Cup, against Athletic Club.

After Asier Hierro converted an 11th-minute free-kick for the visitors, the young Reds had to work hard to find openings against an organised Athletic side.

Substitute Gabriele Biancheri provided the inspiration, with a driving run down the right wing and a cut-back to James Scanlon, who provided a smart, first-time finish. Biancheri then netted an injury-time winner from Jack Fletcher’s cross, with the help of a deflection off the Athletic goalkeeper’s back, which may ensure it’s recorded as an own goal.

Travis Binnion’s United side will face Anderlecht (Leigh Sports Village) and Borussia Dortmund (Old Trafford) in December, before welcoming Sporting in January.

BINNION’S SIDE CONTINUES PL2 RECORD

On Saturday, Binnion’s team extended our 100 per cent record in Premier League 2 with a 4-1 win against Crystal Palace in Salford.

Jacob Devaney got things started as he opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, before Biancheri added a second shortly after the restart.

Asher Agbinone then pulled one back for the Eagles with a brilliant curling strike from range, but there was still time for more goals at the Peninsula Stadium.

Shea Lacey netted a brace from the bench, with his first a superb free-kick and his second a well-taken effort off the post that ensured a convincing victory.

UNDER-18s’ WINNING STREAK ENDS

Our Under-18s side fell to a first defeat of the season, following a second-half fightback by Manchester City at Carrington.

Gabriel’s well-taken strike and an immaculate Jim Thwaites free-kick had Darren Fletcher’s side in a comfortable position at the break.

But City halved the deficit at the beginning of the second period through Tyrone Samba, before quickfire efforts from Floyd Samba and Harrison Miles put the visitors into the lead.

The Reds’ misery was compounded late on, when goalkeeper Fred Heath was sent off for a challenge on Teddie Lamb outside the box, with Floyd Samba converting the resulting set-piece past Heath’s replacement Zac Watson.

JONES DISCUSSES ACADEMY EXPERIENCE

Ex-Red Phil Jones has described his experience coaching with United’s Academy as “brilliant” after he was around the club’s Under-18s group at times over the last two seasons.

“I was able to learn off the coaches in terms of how they set sessions up, what they’re going after in sessions and learn about the development programme with these kids so they transition from Academy to first team, and what that looks like when they get there, and having a succession plan for them.

“Really promising, really bright. I know there are a few lads who have been in and around and trained with the first team last season.

“Darren Fletcher’s there now, so I’m sure he’s got them all firing on all cylinders and getting the best out of them, so yeah, hopefully we’ll see some of them in the first team in the future.”

You can read more from Jones here.

LOAN WATCH

Several of our players out on loan continued to impress, with notable performances from Radek Vitek, who kept a third clean sheet in seven Championship games for Bristol City, and Ethan Ennis, who netted a second goal in five games for Fleetwood Town.

Full-backs Harry Amass and Habeeb Ogunneye both played a full 90 minutes, with the former doing well in a 1-1 draw for Sheffield Wednesday at home to QPR, and the latter unable to help his Newport County side overcome promotion-chasing Chesterfield in League Two.

Midfielder Dan Gore made his 11th appearance of this season at Rotherham United, for whom he has missed just one game since rejoining on loan in the summer.

Those are just some of the headlines from our loanees, all of whom continue to gain valuable experience away from the club, supported by staff back at Carrington, who are in regular contact and watch each game.

COMING UP THIS WEEK

Our Under-21s continue a busy schedule with a Tuesday evening trip to Lincoln City. While the game isn’t live on MUTV, it will be shown on SkySports+.

Tickets are available here.

We last faced the Imps in this competition in October 2019, when James Garner – now enjoying a successful Premier League career with Everton – netted the only goal of the game. Also in that side were others who have built excellent experience across European football, like Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven), Teden Mengi (Luton Town), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Largie Ramazani (Valencia), Tahith Chong (Sheffield United), Dylan Levitt (Hibernian) and Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United).

MUTV INFO AT A GLANCE

Tuesday 30 September | Lincoln City v UNITED U21s | 19:00 | Not live on MUTV (live on Sky Sports+)

Friday 3 October | Everton v UNITED U21s | 19:00 | Live on MUTV

Saturday 4 October | Middlesbrough v UNITED U18s | 12:00 | Not live on MUTV (Clash with first-team fixture)

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