The eight Manchester United prodigies who could save the club millions over the next few seasons

Manchester United’s academy is the beating heart of the club and continues to produce.

United have an unrivaled record of nurturing talent from the academy and Erik ten Hag deserves praise for giving opportunities to young players with potential.

Since the arrival of Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo has been the academy’s latest success story and Willy Kambwala has also contributed to the senior team.

Ethan Wheatley was the latest academy talent to make his senior debut and became the 250th player in the club’s history to do so, a significant milestone.

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So who are the rising stars in the academy? We’ve made a list of eight and given some insight into who they are, what position they play and what the future might hold for them.

Harry Amass

Harry Amass turned 17 in March and was named in United’s squad to face Liverpool a few weeks later as reward for his excellent progress through the academy.

The youngster joined United from Watford last summer and his first year in Manchester has seen him become a key player for the Under-18s and train with the first team.

Amass, who plays at left-back, is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in English football and his signing from Watford was considered a coup by many familiar with youth football.

The Hornets were desperate to keep hold of Amass beyond his scholarship, but United have won the race for his signature and he is sure to have a bright future.

Ethan Wheatley

Every successful team needs a striker who can find the back of the net and Wheatley was a prolific goalscorer for an Under-18 United side that won a treble.

Wheatley scored eight goals in seven Championship appearances for the U18s and that included a special hat-trick against Liverpool which came with an emphatic 9-1 win.

The forward made it to the Under-21s when required and scored his first goal in the mini-Manchester derby against Manchester City in February.

His debut against Sheffield United in April followed and it looks like the best is yet to come from Wheatley, who won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.

Shea Lacey

The promising Lacey has regularly gone viral on social media in recent years, with footage of his goals racking up millions of views and creating a buzz among supporters.

Lacey signed his first professional contract after celebrating his 17th birthday in mid-April, and only the most highly regarded prospects are given professional offers at that age.

The youngster was limited to just 10 appearances last season due to injury – the first of his career – and fans following the academy are eager to see him back in action.

Jack Fletcher

Jack Fletcher signed for United from Manchester City with his twin brother Tyler Fletcher last summer and has been involved in several first-team training sessions during the season.

Darren Fletcher’s sons had been at Academy City for nine years but opted to move to United and a £1.25m fee was paid to sign the pair. Both are highly rated and United sources believe they have first-team potential.

Jack Fletcher will make the step up to the Under-21s next term and will be interesting to watch.

Blessed Mantato

United youngster Bendito Mantato has been in excellent form for the academy in the spring, which explains why he has been the subject of interest from Premier League rivals.

Although Mantato can play at left-back, his future is believed to be on the right wing due to his attacking quality and he scored four goals in one game against Blackburn last season.

Mantato became stronger and stronger after participating in the first team training. His dribbling is a huge asset and he has been backed to continue to make strong progress.

Ethan Williams

Ethan Williams contributed 17 goals and nine assists in academy matches in 2023/24 and played a crucial role in a hugely talented Under-18 side that claimed a treble.

Williams signed a pre-professional contract at the start of the season, which is set to officially begin this summer, and now has the challenge of trying to make his senior bows.

The youngster celebrated his 18th birthday in November and is the grandson of Alex Williams, who came to prominence in the early 1980s as one of the first black goalkeepers in the modern top flight, making over 100 appearances for Manchester City in – an innovative career.

Amir Ibragimov

The Manchester Evening News revealed last April that Ibragimov trained with the first team at just 15 years old. It was a remarkable achievement, but those who know the Russian-born midfielder best believe there is still more to come from him.

Ibragimov was initially part of Sheffield United’s academy after his family moved to England, but went through a successful trial with United and settled in Manchester.

He has worn the armband for United at various age groups and is expected to feature regularly for the U18s next season. “There aren’t many I’ve seen who can run like him,” Raducio King, who coached Ibragimov, told MEN in an interview last year.

“I’ve seen him play as a number 10, a Wayne Rooney role, driving forward, passing balls, dribbling, attacking, you name it. Making sure the team is doing well – he can attack and defend.”

Ibragimov returned from injury over the festive period and was again among the goals as he returned to fitness, pointing to an exciting future.

Elyh Harrison

In August, goalkeeper Elyh Harrison performed a Cruyff turn on the Stockport forward by shutting him down at Edgeley Park, prompting audible gasps from the fans in attendance.

Nine months later, Harrison was named Reserve Player of the Year and that award was fully deserved as he was brilliant between the sticks last season.

Harrison’s shot-stopping was crucial in the U18s’ Premier League Cup victory and he is a ‘keeper with the ball, whose distribution is a strong point.

This should bode well for his future and he will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Dean Henderson who broke into the first team from the academy.