Manchester United’s academy tops prestigious 2023/24 Premier League ranking | OneFootball

Manchester United endured a very disappointing and underwhelming Premier League season that saw them finish in eighth position, their worst ever since the 1989-90 First Division.

As a result, United missed out on Europe entirely although they have a chance of gaining entry into the Europa League if they can somehow beat Manchester City in the Wembley FA Cup final this weekend.

However, despite the doom and gloom that characterised United’s pitiful campaign, a ray of light that the club and fans experienced was the academy.

As a result of injuries to several of his key stars, Erik ten Hag was often forced to look towards the academy to fill positions in his starting XI or on the bench.

Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho especially were regular presences in the Dutchman’s plans and team selections. The two teenagers managed 60 top-flight appearances between them.

Garnacho finished the 2023/24 Premier League season with seven goals and four assists to his name while Mainoo notched three goals and one assist.

Willy Kambwala is another who played a crucial role in the side, especially in the midst of a crippling injury crisis in the defensive department.

Ethan Wheatley became the 250th player from United’s academy to make their debut for the senior team when he came on from the bench in the 4-2 win against Sheffield United.

The Red Devils’ matchday squad has featured at least one academy graduate in 4,259 consecutive first-team games dating back to October 1937. Just mind-blowing to say the least.

An analysis conducted by Irish News has revealed that the United academy led the academies of all other Premier League clubs in terms of playing time.

The analysis matched each player in the 2023/24 season to the academy where they finished their youth career. The data shows that 21 United academy graduates made appearances.

Ten of the 21 stars played for United themselves, with Garnacho getting the most minutes (2,805). It’s important to note that these minutes also include stoppage time.

Irish News further note, “Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and emerging star Kobbie Mainoo also cleared 2,000 minutes while 1,500-plus for Jonny Evans, who made his debut in 2007 in a previous spell at United, provided a link to the club’s long-term reputation for youth development.”

“League-wide, James Garner’s 3,372 minutes for Everton were the most of any United graduate, while Andreas Pereira, Teden Mengi, Anthony Elanga, Tahith Chong and Sam Johnstone also topped 2,000.”

“United’s total of 34,076 minutes was 7,000 clear of last season’s leading academy Chelsea, whose graduates this time racked up 27,075 minutes. Champions Manchester City were third on 20,684.”

(Source for above graphic: PA news agency)

Ten Hag – despite all his faults this term – handed more than a quarter of United’s playing time to players who have come through the ranks at Carrington. The Dutchman afforded 11,835 minutes out of a total of 42,297 (28 per cent) to United academy graduates. No other Premier League outfit even managed 20 per cent. Chelsea came closest with 19 per cent.

(Source for above graphic: PA news agency)

The academy will always be the pillars on which United stands and it’s important that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS put measures in place to ensure its continued success and ability to produce talent.

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