It is that time of year again and Manchester United have announced 10 academy players who’ve signed scholarships.
The academy at Manchester United is ingrained within the club and right now it arguably is at its highest talent level in years. Several of the current U18 and U16 groups look like potential world-beaters.
During the 2023/24 season, we saw that the U18s were miles better than their peers, impressively winning the treble.
But according to many, excitement for the current group is pale in comparison to the next generation coming through which includes some already notable names.
Now, United have announced that 10 youngsters have signed scholarship deals with the club which will see them stay at Carrington for the foreseeable.
Who have Manchester United signed to scholarship deals
The class of 24′ has the potential to see some serious talent emerge from it with Amir Ibragimov and Bendito Mantato both among the best prospects the club has to offer.
Also included is a recent arrival from Aston Villa in Dante Plunkett and Jim Thwaites who won the club’s Goal of the Season award in two age groups.
Here is the full list of scholars;
- Albert Mills
- Amir Ibragimov
- Bendito Mantato
- Cameron Byrne-Hughes
- Daniel Armer
- Dante Plunkett
- Fred Heath
- Godwill Kukonki
- James Bailey
- Jim Thwaites
An impressive list of talents who we will likely be seeing perform at an U18 level next season, looking to live up to the standards set by last season’s cohort.
Meet Manchester United’s 2024 scholars
Here’s a little bit of information about each of the scholars for 2024.
Albert Mills
Mills is a 16-year-old centre-back who has already made his debut for the U18s during last season. He has come up through the United academy and looks to be an exciting prospect.
Amir Ibragimov
Ibragimov is already a player fans are excited about as he is seen as a Wayne Rooney regen by fans. The Dagestan-born England U16 international has already featured for the U21s and this season could be when he takes U18 football by storm – provided he stays fit.
Bendito Mantato
Like Ibragimov, Mantato is a player widely known by fans thanks to his superstar profile and having already made waves at a U18 level last season. Mantato has been compared with Bukayo Saka and scored six in 11 last season in the U18 PL.
Cameron Byrne-Hughes
The next name on the list is Byrne-Hughes who is a goalkeeper and has one appearance for the U18s which was a four-minute cameo. He also has come up through the academy.
Daniel Armer
Armer is a central defender who seems to be in line for a big 2024/25 season having featured heavily to end last season with seven appearances and even an outing for the U21 side. Armer also stepped up to the U18 side late in the 2023/24 season.
Dante Plunkett
Plunkett is an exciting young left-back who at just 14 is already tipped for future success. United only signed Plunkett from Aston Villa recently so this shows how highly he is thought of at the club.
Fred Heath
Heath is another goalkeeper coming through the ranks and will have a fight to beat Byrne-Hughes for minutes next season having not yet made his U18 debut.
Godwill Kukonki
Another name destined for a breakout year as a U18 is Kukonki as he as the others did, featured heavily to the end of last season. The fact he is a centre-half though could mean there is hot competition for minutes.
James Bailey
Bailey is an attacking midfielder and joined United from Burnley in 2021. He made his U18 bow last season and ended up with two appearances. He could fancy his chances next season of becoming a regular.
Jim Thwaites
As we mentioned above, Thwaites already has a knack for goals and scoring wondergoals at that. He made nine U18 and two U21 appearances last season and is in line to be one of the most exciting U18 talents at the club next season.
