Manchester United have already seen three players from the FA Youth Cup winning side in 2022 make their debuts.
When Manchester United hired Erik ten Hag in 2022, the club wanted him to harness the talents of the FA Youth Cup winning group he was inheriting from the academy.
So far so good. Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are now first team regulars, while Dan Gore has also made his debut.
But not all 11 players from the line up will make it. Marc Jurado and Isak Hansen-Aaroen have both been sold.
Sam Mather signs to SEG
One of the top players during Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup run was winger Sam Mather, who was just 17 at the time.
Mather lost a lot of time during 2022/23 season due to injury. He has since been featuring for the club at under-21 level.
There is now an added layer of curiosity over Mather’s future after it was announced he was signing with the SEG Agency, who also represent manager Erik ten Hag.
SEG posted on Instagram: “We’re delighted to welcome @manchesterunited’s exciting youngster @sammather.11 to SEG!”
Sam Mather signing with SEG does not necessarily mean he will be staying with Manchester United.
Last summer Zidane Iqbal signed with SEG before landing a permanent transfer to Dutch Eredivise side Utrecht.
A pivotal summer is ahead for Mather as the promising winger needs to find regular first team football at the age of 19, whether that be on loan, or with a permanent switch elsewhere, if he is not going to be promoted to the first team.
Sam Mather’s 2023/24 season
Sam Mather has shone in flashes for Manchester United’s academy team this season. One particular performance saw him score all four goals in a 4-2 win over Norwich for the under-21s in a win at Old Trafford, including a stunning free-kick.
Mather has since gone out on loan to National League side Rochdale, where he impressed, scoring his first senior goals, netting twice.
He scored seven goals for United’s academy sides this season, also contributing one assist.
How Manchester United won the 2022 FA Youth Cup
Sam Mather scored in three of Manchester United’s six games as they team won the tournament two years ago, with Alejandro Garnacho the top-scoring player.
- Manchester United 4-2 Scunthorpe (Mather, Garnacho, Oyedele, McNeill)
- Reading 1-3 Manchester United (Mainoo, Mather, McNeill)
- Manchester United 4-1 Everton (McNeill, Mainoo, Mather, Garnacho)
- Manchester United 2-1 Leicester (Garnacho x 2)
- Manchester United 3-0 Wolves (McNeill x 2, Garnacho)
- Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forest (Bennett, Garnacho x 2)