Academy Weekly: Successful window ends

Nick Cox, Director of Academy, reflects on these temporary departures as part of our weekly Academy briefing, including details on the upcoming international break, a new coach, contract and signing and highlights from victories for our U18s and U21s.

TOMMY ROWE BECOMES NEW PLAYER-COACH

Tommy Rowe has joined the Academy as player-coach, succeeding Tom Huddlestone and Paul McShane in the innovative role which has provided significant development benefits across the age groups during the last three years.

Huddlestone left United at the end of the last campaign to become first-team coach at Wigan Athletic, while McShane took up a full-time coaching role at United after retiring.

Rowe, 35, is an alumnus of the Academy who left at a young age and carved out a fine Football League career, making a combined 573 league appearances for Stockport County, Peterborough United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Scunthorpe United, Doncaster Rovers and Bristol City.

Tommy was most recently at Doncaster Rovers, in a second permanent spell at the Yorkshire club.

The experienced midfielder will create various unique development opportunities for United’s Academy players by coaching from within training sessions and driving daily standards on and off the pitch.

Rowe will at times play in fixtures for United’s U21s as one of five permitted over-age outfield players in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy.

VICTORY AT BLACKBURN FOR U21s

Tommy was involved for the U21s on Friday evening as he started against Blackburn Rovers. Goals from Ethan Ennis, Sam Mather and Gabriele Biancheri saw our young Reds pick up three points and you can watch highlights from the game above.

New signing Hubert Graczyk was on the bench for United at Rovers. The 21-year-old goalkeeper was most recently in the Arsenal youth ranks and has represented both England and Poland on the youth international stage.

U18s DEFEAT LIVERPOOL

Having come off the bench to wrap up United’s win at Blackburn the night before, Biancheri continued his positive start to the season with another goal the next morning, this time for the U18s in an assured 2-0 win over Liverpool.

The forward opened the scoring shortly before half-time, after which Tyler Fletcher sealed the win. Highlights are available to watch below.

MCTOMINAY DEPARTS

Academy graduate 221 Scott McTominay has completed a permanent move to Napoli.

The Scotland international rose through the ranks to become one of our most celebrated Academy players of his generation, appearing 255 times for the first team, after being handed his debut by Jose Mourinho, against Arsenal in 2017.

There were many highlights for the popular 27-year-old during his time as a Red, and he gave his all for his boyhood club and earned the respect and trust of each of his managers.

McTominay leaves United after a fantastic Old Trafford career that included winning two trophies, the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup.

His journey to becoming a regular first team player has been an inspiration for the young players following in his footsteps. Last season, McTominay returned to the Academy building to reflect on how his unusual physical development was managed by coaches and staff at the time. You can watch the fascinating discussion in Lifeblood: Innovation below.

SONNY SIGNS NEW DEAL

Defender Sonny Aljofree, 19, has signed a new long-term deal at United. A regular captain throughout the age groups, Aljofree has recently secured a loan move to League Two side Accrington Stanley.

Sonny had a short stint at Altrincham last season, via our innovative loan scheme. Two years ago, he was part of the 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning squad alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

Congratulations, Sonny, and good luck at the Wham Stadium!

LOAN SUCCESS

Aljofree is one of eight players to earn loan moves away from Carrington this summer.

Goalkeeper Tom Myles was the final young Red to secure the opportunity for valuable senior experience when he signed for Runcorn Linnets at the end of the summer window.

The full list of loanees is:

Sonny Aljofree (Accrington Stanley, League Two), Rhys Bennett (Fleetwood Town, League Two), Elyh Harrison (Chester, National League North), Joe Hugill (Wigan Athletic, League One), Tom Myles (Runcorn Linnets, NPL Division One West), James Nolan (Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Scottish League One), Radek Vitek (BW Linz, Austrian Bundesliga), Tom Wooster (Farsley Celtic, National League North).

"With the hard work of my colleagues, we’re very pleased to have met all the aims we set ourselves for this window, placing eight young players out on loans which will benefit them immensely," explained Nick Cox, Director of Academy.

"For some players, this is their second or third spell away from the club. Others have spent some time at other clubs as part of our Pro Experience Programme, which helps set them up for full loans, and others will be away from Carrington for the first time.

"Loans can be difficult, especially when they require a young boy to move away from what has become his home. It’s a big step out of their comfort zone. And that’s why they can learn so much and return to us as better footballers with an increased understanding of the world and what it takes to make it in the senior game.

"The planning for this window begins many, many months in advance and we’re pleased with the results. We have several dedicated staff to follow the boys’ progress, help them with any challenges and make sure they’re on the right track, but all staff will be keeping an eye out on how they’re doing, offering congratulations in times of success and a helping hand whenever needed, too. Good luck to them all!"

COLLYER MAKES PREMIER LEAGUE DEBUT

Congratulations to Toby Collyer, who made his Premier League debut as a substitute during the men’s first-team’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Collyer’s initial United bow came in the Community Shield at Wembley in August, and this is another impressive milestone in his career.

COMING UP

Club football pauses for the September international break, so neither the U18s or U21s are in competitive action for at least a fortnight.

Many players from all age groups at the Academy will now spend time with their national teams. While being a source of great pride for them and their families, the opportunity to be exposed to different types of football, new team-mates, environments and coaches is also a fantastic chance for development. We wish all of them the best of luck over the next two weeks.

From the Professional Development Phase (U17-U21), nine players have been called up to their national squads. They are: Harry Amass (England U18), Daniel Armer (Scotland U19), Gabriele Biancheri (Wales U19), Jacob Devaney (Republic of Ireland U19), Jack Fletcher (England U18), Tyler Fletcher (Scotland U19), Bendito Mantato (England U17), James Scanlon (Gibraltar) and Ethan Wheatley (England U19).