Manchester United made it a clean sweep of academy signings on Friday, locking down midfielder Jess Anderson on her first professional contract. The deal runs through 2028, with a club option for an extra year.
Anderson, who captained the Under-21s last season before breaking into Marc Skinner’s first team, made two substitute appearances. That might not sound like much, but United’s front office clearly sees something bigger. They don’t hand out long-term pro deals to just anyone.
The 18-year-old joins Layla Drury and Scarlett Hill, who both signed new contracts earlier in the day. It’s part of a deliberate push to lock up homegrown talent before other clubs come sniffing around.
What Anderson Said
“Signing my first professional contract with Manchester United is a huge honour,” Anderson said in a club statement. “It has been an incredible journey so far, and I could not be more grateful to my family and all of the coaches in the Academy for supporting me throughout my development.”
She called the deal “an important milestone” but stressed she’s not satisfied yet. “I’m determined to keep pushing myself and continue to learn in our special environment.”
That’s exactly the kind of talk coaches love to hear from a teenager who’s about to start getting paid.
The Director’s Take
Matt Johnson, United’s Director of Women’s Football, kept it straightforward when asked about Anderson’s trajectory. “We are delighted with Jess’ development,” he said. “Having embraced every challenge that our Academy staff have supported her through, Jess embodies the drive and determination that young players need to succeed at Manchester United.”
He also framed the signing as part of a bigger picture. “It is a really exciting time for the club as we continue to enjoy the rewards of the outstanding work taking place throughout our Academy and the long-term commitment we have made to developing homegrown talent.”
Johnson made a point of crediting the staff behind the scenes. “Everyone involved should be immensely proud of the role they have played in creating pathways that enable our young players to thrive, as we continue to strengthen our Academy and establish a world leading youth development programme.”
That last bit — world leading — is the kind of language that suggests United isn’t just thinking about next season. They’re trying to build a pipeline that churns out first-team regulars for a decade.
Anderson will join the squad later this month when United reconvenes for preseason. The 2026-27 campaign is still months away, but for a kid who just went from academy captain to full pro, the real work is just getting started.
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