Manchester United’s under-18s side have been on an incredible run this year with real quality and strength in depth.
Whatever the troubles in the Manchester United first team, there is always positive emanating from the club’s excellent academy.
The coaches at Carrington are doing the club proud, with the under-18s team racking up victories at a relentless rate.
The under-18s are top of the league with only one defeat all season, and took a step closer to sealing the title with a 4-2 win over Stoke City at the weekend.
Malachi Sharpe comeback
Manchester United’s academy success this season has come with a rotating cast of players, with some often pushed up to the under-21s and even the first team.
Others have missed long stints with injury, withMalachi Sharpe among them. He made his comeback at the weekend.
Sharpe was one of three players United signed from Derby County in 2021 along with James Scanlon and Seko Kaba.
Scanlon had an outrageous display at the weekend, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
Sharpe himself had been out of action since December. He had missed a large part of the 2022/23 season with injury too.
He had made a very strong start to the 2023/24 campaign with three goals in six league games. He also played in three UEFA Youth League matches.
He played 61 minutes on the wing at the weekend, making his first appearance of 2024, and 10th total appearance of the campaign.
Sharpe turned 18 in November. He made his first under-18s appearance for Manchester United in 2021 when he was just 15.
Injuries have limited his development, but he remains a promising talent when fit, and is a Scotland youth international.
His young teammates are delighted to see him back, including striker Ethan Wheatley, who was on the first team bench at the weekend.
Shea Lacey also makes return
Malachi Sharpe’s replacement in the 61st minute was 17-year-old winger Shea Lacey, who was also making his comeback from injury.
Lacey is on the verge of signing a first professional contract. He was making his ninth appearance of the season.
While the league is pretty much wrapped up, the return of the two wingers is well-timed due to the upcoming Premier League Cup final later this month.
United take on City in the final, the only team to defeat them in the league this season.