Academy Weekly: Landmarks, nominations and draws

GRADUATE MAKES ENGLAND DEBUT

It’s regularly said that an Academy player’s relationship with United does not end when they depart the club. Indeed, our Alumni scheme — ‘United Once, United Forever’ — has formalised that enduring contact between staff and the players who have developed at Carrington. That continued love and care for graduates was evident as Angel Gomes — who is graduate number 222, having made his United debut in 2017 — became the latest to receive a senior international cap.

In a fitting moment, Gomes replaced fellow graduate Kobbie Mainoo during England's UEFA Nations League win against the Republic of Ireland last week. Angel then made his first start in a victory over Finland on Tuesday night.

Angel left United in 2020 and has thrived at Boavista and Lille since. Congratulations to him, his family and all the coaches and wider support network who helped him to reach this remarkable milestone!

SCANLON SCORES FIRST SENIOR GOAL

Seventeen-year-old winger James Scanlon scored his first senior international goal last week.

James became the youngest Academy graduate to debut for his country since Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside when he made his Gibraltar bow back in March.

He has since made six appearances and netted his first goal in an eventual 2-2 draw with Liechtenstein. In doing so, he has become the youngest goalscorer in Gibraltar’s history.

FLETCHER NOMINATED FOR AWARD

Jack Fletcher was nominated for Premier League 2's Player of the Month award for August.

The 17-year-old was on a six-man shortlist alongside Joshua Ajala (West Ham), Khayon Edwards (Arsenal), Kyle McAdam (Nottingham Forest), Lewis Orford (West Ham), Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (Arsenal) and Kristian Sekularac (Fulham).

The six players were identified by the Premier League Football Development Panel, and Butler-Oyedeji was declared the winner on Friday.

Jack scored his first goals at Under-21 level in a different competition, the EFL Trophy. His double, after coming off the bench, began a fantastic comeback to defeat Barnsley 3-2. He followed that up by scoring another, this time in PL2 against Stoke City in a 4-1 win and provided two assists a week later at Blackburn Rovers in a 3-1 victory.

Congratulations on your nomination, Jack.

DOUBLE KOPA TROPHY NOMINATION

Jack’s not the only young Red to receive an award nomination in the last week. Two Academy graduates were named on the shortlist for the prestigious Kopa Trophy: Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

Only ten players are shortlisted for the award, which is presented to the best-performing male player under the age of 21. To have two graduates from the same Academy included is a testament to the coaching and pathway at Carrington.

Garnacho and Mainoo are also in contention for Tuttosport’s Golden Boy award, which fans can vote for.

UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE DRAW

United will play either FK Zalgiris or The New Saints in our first UEFA Youth League assignment this season.

Our Under-19s qualified for the competition by winning the Under-18 Premier League title in May, beating southern champions Chelsea in an entertaining final at Stamford Bridge.

Zalgiris are based in the Lithuanian city of Vilnius, while TNS are a very successful side in the Welsh Premier League but actually play their home games at Park Hall in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Should we progress to the third round, our youngsters will face either Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset or Dutch side AZ.

The second-round matches are due to be played on 23 October and 6 November, with more details expected to be announced by 4 October.

The third-round ties are scheduled to be on 27 November and 11 December.

United are competing in the ‘Domestic Champions Path’ of the tournament and, should they progress from this, will meet up with those competing in the other side of the draw, which mirrors the UEFA Champions League ‘league phase’. The young Reds will need to win two knockout ties to reach the full knockout phase after Christmas.

COMING UP

United’s Under-18s travel to Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 BST kick-off. The game won’t be shown live on MUTV as the men’s first team are playing at Southampton at the same time.