Manchester United locked in two of its top young prospects on Tuesday, signing forward Freya Drury and defender Aimee Hill to their first professional contracts. The deals came with little fanfare, just a pair of posts on the club’s X account this morning. But for two teenagers who cracked the senior setup last season, it’s a significant show of faith.
Drury, 17, signed through the summer of 2029. That’s a long commitment from the club for a forward who didn’t even turn pro until this week. But her production last season made it a no-brainer. Back in November, she made her senior debut at 16 years and 220 days old, coming off the bench in an Adobe Women’s FA Cup match against third-tier Burnley. Then she scored in a 5-0 win. That made her the youngest player ever to appear for United’s senior women’s team and the youngest to score for the club. Two records in one afternoon.
Since that debut, Drury has added minutes in a handful of substitute appearances. She hasn’t racked up huge numbers yet. But the club clearly sees her as a long-term piece of the attack. Locking her in for five years before she even turned 17 sends a message.
Hill, 18, took a different path to her pro deal. She signed through 2028. The defender was involved in some first-team matchday squads last season but needed real minutes. So United sent her on loan to Sheffield United for the final three months of the campaign. That move paid off. Hill made four appearances for the Blades and helped them keep their spot in the second tier. Not glamorous work but vital for a young defender learning the pro game.
Both players now have contracts that reflect their potential. Drury is the flashier name — the youngest scorer, the FA Cup moment — but Hill’s path through a loan suggests she’s built for the grind. The club hasn’t announced what’s next for either one in terms of first-team plans. They could stay with the senior squad or head out on loan again.
What’s next for United’s youth movement
United has been leaning into its academy pipeline more aggressively under the current setup. These two deals are part of that. Drury and Hill join a growing list of homegrown players who’ve gotten pro deals before turning 20. The club said further squad news will be announced in due course. Expect more of these announcements as the summer window rolls on.
For now, two teenagers have locked down their futures. Drury made history at 16. Hill got her boots dirty in the Championship. One’s a goalscorer, one’s a defender. Both are now officially pros. The rest is up to them.
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