Pre-season preparations are in full swing across Europe as clubs gear up for the 2025/26 campaign.
Manchester United continue their training sessions under Ruben Amorim, with the Red Devils expected to face Leeds United in their opening friendly on 19 July in Sweden.
While the first team is being fine-tuned for a competitive season ahead, behind-the-scenes changes continue to affect Manchester United’s Academy structure.
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United’s youth setup has long been praised for producing stars such as Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo, but recent developments have raised eyebrows across the football world.
Manchester United are reportedly offering the permanent sales of several of their academy players over the age of 18 this summer.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the club has compiled a list of youth players they are willing to offload and have circulated the names to other clubs — surprising some in the process.
What has shocked sides, according to the report, is that some of the players on the list were initially signed for notable transfer fees.
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Families and representatives of a few players have also been left startled, claiming they weren’t properly consulted about the move.
United, however, insist they have been transparent with the players themselves, maintaining that discussions around potential exits have been handled directly with those affected.
The club is believed to be willing to part with these youngsters for free or at nominal fees, provided that sell-on clauses are built into any outgoing deal.
This reflects a shift in strategy, with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) now forcing the club to rethink long-term investment in talent that may not break into the senior squad.
United claim it’s standard practice to review players’ futures around the age of 18, but some observers believe cost-cutting motives may also be driving recent decisions.
It’s understood the academy is undergoing significant internal changes, as United attempt to align youth operations with broader club financial policies.
This comes after United announced Darren Fletcher as the new U-18s lead coach.
As this new model unfolds, it remains to be seen how the club’s future stars will be affected — and whether the Red Devils will continue to be a breeding ground for first-team success.
