Manchester United’s approach to developing young players has been messy for a while. They’ve held onto academy talent too long, watched their value drop, and ended up losing them for nothing. That’s starting to change.
Radek Vitek’s potential sale is a sign the club is thinking differently. But the real test comes with two of their most promising teenagers: Chido Obi and Harry Amass. Both are generating serious interest from EFL clubs and both are expected to travel with the first team on their pre-season tour.
That tour isn’t just a PR exercise. Manager Michael Carrick will have a real look at them. And depending on what United do in the transfer market, either one could end up staying.
The left-back situation is complicated
United still haven’t found a long-term answer at left-back. Luke Shaw has been excellent when he’s healthy, but that’s been the problem. The club has been linked with replacements for years. They’re reportedly looking at bringing in someone who can eventually take over, but that plan isn’t locked in yet.
Diego Leon, another young left-back prospect, will also get a look this summer. If either he or Amass impresses during the tour, United could shift their focus to signing a left winger instead of a left-back. That’s a pretty big swing of the transfer market depending on how a couple of teenagers look in July friendlies. But that’s where the club is right now.
Amass is rated highly internally. The hope, according to reports, was to send him on loan this season to get consistent minutes. But if he shows out in pre-season and United can’t land their preferred left-back target, they might keep him around.
Up front, the numbers favor Chido Obi
United are also looking for a striker to back up Benjamin Sesko, especially now that Champions League football means a heavier schedule. The original plan was to sign someone experienced. But Obi’s numbers from last season make that harder to justify.
He scored 20 goals and added six assists across the U18s and U21s. That’s not just good for an academy kid. That’s a guy who looks ready for first-team minutes. The club hasn’t said he’s definitely staying, but they also haven’t ruled it out.
Both Obi and Amass have plenty of suitors in the Championship and League One. A loan would make sense for their development. But as one club source put it: “Anything can happen in pre-season, so let’s wait and see.”
The final call will come down to how United’s summer business shakes out. If INEOS delivers a new left-back and a veteran striker, both teenagers likely head out on loan. If the transfer market doesn’t cooperate and the young guys ball out during the tour, they could end up in Carrick’s matchday squad come August.
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