Manchester United’s academy has historically been one of the best in the world, producing top talent which has formed the backbone of countless successful sides.
But, as per The Guardian, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has criticised the academy and believes the standards have “really slipped” in recent years.
Academy in turmoil
Ratcliffe reportedly told academy staff this stinging comment was in reference to the facilities above all else, and while they may not necessarily believe him there is clear evidence to support this view.
Shockingly academy staff work from prefabricated structures in the players’ car park, a clear contrast to the new £50m training complex INEOS funded this year.
The idea of the academy being “somewhat neglected” does not exist in a vacuum and was discussed in a recent meeting attended by director of football Jason Wilcox where frustration was voiced about too heavy a focus being on the first team.
The Guardian note that “a senior academy staff member spoke passionately […] about the academy being overlooked and was visibly emotional when doing so”, a clear demonstration to Wilcox of the strength of feeling in a department rightly felt as crucial to the club’s identity and success.
Rooney weighs in
This view has been echoed by club legend Wayne Rooney, who ruffled senior feathers with comments on the structure in which his sons Kai and Klay are learning their craft.
“The culture of that football club has gone,” Rooney said. “I see it on a daily basis. I see staff losing jobs, people walking out of jobs.
“I’ve got two kids at that football club and I really hope this doesn’t affect what they’re doing.”
Problems for players
Ultimately what matters is the players the academy produces, and there is some consternation regarding how Carrington feeds into Ruben Amorim’s first-team setup.
The Portuguese has only fielded two academy graduates so far this season in Kobbie Mainoo – seemingly destined for a January exit – and Tyler Fredricson, who featured for one half of the ill-fated trip to Grimsby.
However this can’t be entirely pinned on the academy, with Amorim’s notoriously strict system already showing itself inflexible in accommodating talent like Mainoo.
In more positive news, The Guardian report that there is “confidence” that 18-year-old Shea Lacey will soon make his first-team debut, having already made it onto Amorim’s bench. It is also a good sign that 15-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel has been involved in first-team training.
Staffing concerns
Another serious problem is the sudden churn of staff – both in terms of the effects on the ground of losing experienced people and in the message it sends out.
Contrary to popular belief, The Guardian claim that United “cannot compete financially with some Premier League teams for top talent”, noting that a physiotherapist recently turned down a job at the club because they could continue to earn more in the equivalent job elsewhere.
Less surprising is the undercurrent of frustration and resentment left over from INEOS’ brutal cost-cutting which has left some staff “irritated” at the removal of free lunches and having to wash their own tracksuits.
Turnover of staff has caused “disruption”, with the likes of under-18s coach Adam Lawrence leaving to coach Newcastle Under-21s and former under-21s assistant manager David Horseman heading to Arsenal after just three months in the role.
In an attempt to put a positive spin on the situation, the disappointment of these departures is “accompanied by a belief that each moved to a more prestigious job thanks to their work at the club and that it should be taken as a compliment”.
However not all parties see it that way and it has also led to “concern among parents and agents about possible further upheaval”. This could be a real problem for attracting the best young talent.
State of flux
The Guardian note that the academy is “in flux” following long-time head Nick Cox’s recent departure to take up a key role at Everton.
Steve Torpey, plucked from Brentford, stepped into the position earlier this year and is another former Manchester City man.
The Guardian describe him as “an ally” of United’s director of football Jason Wilcox and suggest that the Red Devils are following a “literal blueprint” to try and replicate the success of their crosstown rivals.
Torpey enjoyed success at Brentford where he built an academy “almost from scratch”, but it remains to be seen how he will fare in leading one of the most famous – and most challenging – incubators of talent in the game.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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2 comments
What rubbish!
No big stories to tell about United today???? The facilities for the Academy are at the Carrington complex where the first team train as well.
Every story on here is rubbish, I’ve come to the conclusion whoever runs this site doesn’t even like Utd.