Man United secure ‘stunning’ Academy talent on long-term contract, he’s been phenomenal this season

Manchester United have secured a ‘stunning’ Academy talent on a long-term contract this week after a phenomenal first half of the season.

Manchester United are renowned for developing bright talent from their Academy and integrating them into the first team.

Recent examples include Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, who have emerged as shining products of the youth system, with many more promising players at Carrington.

Newly appointed head coach Ruben Amorim was known for utilising Academy talent during his time at Sporting Lisbon and he recently included 16-year-old defender Godwill Kukonki in the squad for United’s match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

While opportunities for the youth have been limited as he focuses on improving the first-team squad, the 39-year-old has emphasised the importance of integrating youth players into first-team sessions in due course.

Thwaites signs long-term deal at United

One of the most exciting talents within the United Academy is 17-year-old central midfielder Jim Thwaites, who has been excelling this season.

According to a recent report from AcademyArena, the midfield starlet has signed his first professional contract at Old Trafford.

It was explained that the teenager has signed a ‘long-term’ deal, signifying how highly regarded he is within the set-up at Carrington.

Top talents will often sign professional terms when they turn 17, but they aren’t always given longer term deals. Chido Obi Martin also recently penned his first pro deal.

Thwaites has been a standout performer for the Under-18s this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists in 12 appearances.

The midfielder displays elegance on the ball and can also provide danger in the final third in open play and through set-pieces.

His delivery from free-kicks and corners has been described as David Beckham esque while the teenager also has delivered some ‘stunning’ goals from open play, one of which won the U18s Goal of the Season award for the 2023/24 campaign.

Alongside many others in the Academy, Thwaites will be hoping to move through the ranks and eventually challenge for a place in the first-team.

Amorim must trust the United youth

Amorim is currently taking his time before focusing on integrating the youth and it is understandable.

The first-team at Old Trafford is a mess right now and it isn’t a great envirnoment to start thrusting young players into.

Senior players are still learning the new system that Amorim wants to play but when things are more settled, he has to utilise the youth.

And it isn’t just because youth integration is part of United’s DNA, but also because it could really help the team in the transfer market.

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People assume that every Academy player has to be as talented as someone like Kobbie Mainoo or Paul Scholes to break into the first-team.

But in reality, it should also be used to fill squad positions so that the majority of the transfer budget can be focused on the top targets needed in the starting line-up.

It feels like something United haven’t done enough of in recent years and their transfer failings show that something needs to change.

Being able to promote several players from the youth system over the next year could allow the Reds to focus their budget on the big problems, rather than attempting to plug too many gaps with cash that they simply don’t have.

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