Image Credits: Manchester United
Manchester United are really focusing on their youth development with the rebuild of their squad in order to build a legacy for United with long lasting success.
Last season saw the incredible rise of academy graduates Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho giving hope to the development of further graduates entering the senior squad.
Erik ten Hag managed to find gold in amongst the difficulties of United’s injury woes in the form of the two youngsters.
Garnacho and Mainoo had truly brilliant seasons which ended with the two graduates both grabbing goals in the FA Cup Final against Manchester City, securing the unexpected 2-1 win and the title as well as Europa League football next year.
Individually though, these performances not only secured Mainoo’s England call up to the European Championships and Garnacho’s Argentina call up to the Copa America, but also has seen both players feature in the nominations for this year’s Golden Boy award.
With such impressive success stories already, it’s no surprise that the academy is being strengthened with some exciting signings to their ranks.
Already three signings have been made in the form of Silva Mexes, James Overy and Camron Mpofu, whilst close to signing Crystal Palace’s Samuel Lusale.
Now, United have awarded one of their existing academy players a senior contract, with Jack Kingdon signing his first professional contract with the Premier League club.
Manchester Evening News report that the 18-year-old has be rewarded for his excellent performances in the Under-18s league where the squad won the treble, with Kingdon featuring as a regular centre-back, evening being awarded the captain’s armband on a couple of occasions.
The new graduate arrived at United from Morecambe in 2020 at the age of 14 when at the time he was representing the Morecambe under-18s squad, a team 4 years above his age group. This ability impressed United who signed him for an unknown six-figure sum in November and has since gone from strength to strength.
