United Beyond Manchester

Manchester United have one of the most talented groups of young players in the world. The current class of players 21 and under rival any club and includes 2024 Kopa Trophy nominees Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

In this article, I have created the best (in my opinion) Manchester United lineup of U21 first-team and academy players. I have also included nine on the bench to show those who just missed the best eleven. Other players, like Amad Diallo, have graduated from this age group and were not eligible for selection.

Goalkeeper: Elyh Harrison (18)

Elyh Harrison is an incredibly gifted young goalkeeper. Despite being short for his position, the 18-year-old has established himself as the best academy goalkeeper at United. In the 2023/2024 season, he won the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year and has featured multiple times in England’s youth setup.

Before returning to United from his loan in January, Harrison was the goalkeeper at Chester, who currently lead the National League North table.

Harrison made the first-team bench for the first time in Manchester United’s 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace at the beginning of February.

Center Back: Leny Yoro (19)

Manchester United spent €62 million to bring Leny Yoro to Old Trafford in July. The 19-year-old’s first appearance for the club did not come until December due to injury, which set him back, but the talent is undeniable. He is quick, intelligent, is good in possession, and is much further along than the other young United defenders.

Leny Yoro has all the makings of a future world-class center back and will only improve as he gains experience.

Center Back: Ayden Heaven (18)

While Ayden Heaven was at Hale End, Mikel Arteta described the young defender as ‘remarkable’ and was disappointed to lose the talented youngster. He participated in the club’s summer tour and even played against United in a preseason match.

After impressive performances in the Arsenal academy, Manchester United lured the 18-year-old to Old Trafford as a first-team signing. He has joined Amorim’s squad and, despite being one for the future, will debut soon, especially after Lisandro Martinez’s injury.

Center Back: Godwill Kukonki (17)

Godwill Kukonki seemingly appeared out of nowhere when the then-16-year-old was named in the traveling squad for Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge of United. Since then, he has appeared on the bench multiple times, a clear indicator that the 39-year-old manager rates him highly and has a place for him in the future.

At six-foot-five, Kukonki already has a commanding presence and can comfortably play at center back or left back. He is a good tackler, athletic, and composed on the ball, all attributes that make him a good fit for the Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.

While the addition of Ayden Heaven complicates the young defender’s route to the first team, he has impressed the manager enough to continue to be included in training and traveling squads.

Right Wing Back: Habeeb Ogunneye (19)

Habeeb Ogunneye has spent most of this season with the U21 team and appeared on the bench in the Europa League draw at Fenerbahçe in October. Last season, Erik Ten Hag named him on the bench nine times, though he is still awaiting a debut moment.

Ogunneye is a solid defender who is explosive and athletic and can get up and down the flank. Unfortunately, the 19-year-old’s path to the first team is complicated by multiple senior options.

Center Midfielder: Kobbie Mainoo (19)

The third-place finisher in the 2024 Kopa Trophy, Kobbie Mainoo, burst onto the scene last season and showed why he has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the world. Mainoo’s composure on the ball and maturity set him apart from other players his age, and he has already made 60 first-team appearances, scoring six goals, including one in the FA Cup Final win over Manchester City.

While the 19-year-old is still finding his footing under Ruben Amorim, he is, and will be, a key piece to success at Manchester United.

Center Midfielder: Toby Collyer (21)

Toby Collyer, who arrived from Brighton in 2022, is an engine in the midfield. He facilitates expertly in possession, switching the ball and picking out the right pass every time.

The former academy captain made his debut in the Community Shield this season and has begun to get more opportunities under Ruben Amorim. Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte remain ahead of him, but he seems to have a long-term rotation role in the first team.

Left Wing Back: Patrick Dorgu (20)

Patrick Dorgu made his Manchester United debut in the FA Cup win over Leicester City after arriving at Old Trafford for €30 million in January.

Before his move to United, Dorgu had four goal involvements with Lecce in Serie A, establishing himself as one of the top young players in the league. The great performances also led to his Denmark debut in September, and he has a goal in four appearances for his nation since his first start.

Dorgu is one of four established first-team players in this starting eleven and is the left wing back that Ruben Amorim has needed since he arrived in November.

Attacking Midfielder: Alejandro Garnacho (20)

Alejandro Garnacho debuted in the 2021/2022 season and has since made 123 appearances, scoring 23 goals and assisting 15. He has eight appearances for the Argentina national team, where he assisted a goal in a World Cup Qualifier.

At 20, Garnacho is already a Puskas Award winner for his stunning bicycle kick at Everton last season and finished as a 2024 Kopa Trophy finalist.

Attacking Midfielder: Shea Lacey (17)

Shea Lacey has been tipped to become the ‘next Wayne Rooney’ and is one of the most talented players at Carrington. Unfortunately, injuries have hampered his rise to the first-team, or else he might have made his first-team debut by now.

Lacey is quick and technical and can split defenses with incisive passing. The 17-year-old is a free-kick specialist, something the first team needs. He is a perfect fit for Ruben Amorim’s style and, as long as he stays healthy, could debut before the end of the 2024/2025 season.

Striker: Chido Obi (17)

Even if Rasmus Hojlund was eligible, Chido Obi would take this top spot. The 17-year-old has dominated the academy levels this season, scoring twelve times in twelve appearances.

The Danish youth international arrived in Manchester from Arsenal in October with lofty expectations and has lived up to them. He has scored hat tricks twice at the U18 level, including his most recent appearance against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup.

Expect Chido Obi to make his first-team debut before the end of the season.

Bench: Radek Vitek (21), Jack Kingdon (19), Dante Plunkett (17), Jack Fletcher (17), Dan Gore (20), James Scanlon (18), Amir Ibragimov (15), Gabriele Biancheri (18)

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