Ajayi nearing Manchester United deal amid academy developments
For most of last season, the noise around Manchester United’s academy forwards centred on one name: JJ Gabriel. Quietly, Noah Ajayi kept scoring.
The 18-year-old finished the campaign with nine goals across all competitions for the U18s, including two in the FA Youth Cup. His most important strike came at Selhurst Park, the only goal of the Premier League League Cup final against Crystal Palace, delivered from that familiar surge down the left.
His movement and direct running have already drawn comparisons with a young Marcus Rashford. Those parallels only heightened concern when Ajayi’s name was missing from the list of nine youngsters recently announced as having signed professional terms, especially with Bayern Munich links swirling in the background.
That anxiety now looks misplaced. Born in Hamburg to a Nigerian father and German mother, Ajayi is understood to be closing in on his first professional contract at Old Trafford. There is still detail to be ironed out, but talks are progressing and the expectation is that he stays in Manchester.
For United, tying down one of the standout forwards of last season would be a significant early win in a summer dominated by questions over their academy pathway.
Kamason waits as loan plan stalls
If Ajayi’s situation is moving, Jaydan Kamason’s is stuck in neutral.
The midfielder impressed for the first team in the friendly against Rosenborg last month, coming off the bench to provide two second-half assists and inject tempo into the game. That display only strengthened the feeling inside and outside the club that a Championship loan is the logical next step for his development in 2026/27.
The clock is ticking. The EFL season is already under way, and Kamason still has no loan move lined up. He is far from alone. A sizeable group of United academy players remain in limbo, waiting for clarity on where they will play their football this season.
United’s loan strategy has come under scrutiny. Too many deals arrive late, too many players scramble to settle into new surroundings once the campaign has already started. Ideally, the club would lock in those moves early in the summer, giving youngsters a full pre-season with their temporary sides.
Instead, with the Premier League yet to kick off but the EFL already up and running, the plan looks muddled and several careers are effectively on pause.
Gabriel keeps scoring – and the decision looms
Behind closed doors at Carrington this week, Gabriel offered another reminder of why Europe’s elite are watching him so closely.
Lining up for United’s U21s against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, the 15-year-old found the net again with a goal that summed up his talent. He started the move himself, playing a sharp one-two down the left, then shook off his marker with a neat piece of skill. A yard of space opened in the box. From that range, with his technique, the finish felt inevitable.
He looks ready to step into U21 football on a regular basis this season. Inside the club, there is also an expectation that he will make his senior debut before the campaign is out.
But every goal pushes the bigger question closer. Next summer, a window opens for Gabriel to join Barcelona. United have worked hard to show him a clear pathway, to prove that Carrington is the right place for the next phase of his career.
Twelve months ago, he came close to leaving. The prospect of walking away from a club he loves reportedly left him emotional, and he chose to stay. Now, with his profile rising again, the conversation around his future is set to grow louder with every performance.
Mixed results, useful lessons at the Otten Cup
While individual futures dominate the headlines, United’s next generation have already had a first taste of competitive tournament football this season.
Over the weekend, a U19 squad travelled to the Otten Innovation Cup, the annual youth tournament hosted by PSV Eindhoven. The competition has a strong track record of showcasing future stars: Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Marc Cucurella and Anthony Gordon all featured there earlier in their careers.
Darren Fletcher took charge of a talented United group featuring Yuel Helafu, Rafe McCormack, Jayden Ngwashi, Jacey Carrick and Kai Rooney among others.
Results were mixed. United opened with a 1-0 defeat to PSV, whose bench included Ruud van Nistelrooy’s son, then drew 1-1 with Brazilian side SE Palmeiras. A 2-2 draw against Adelaide United followed, leaving the young Reds to finish fifth overall.
Fletcher had hoped for a deeper run, but the trip still served as a valuable final tune-up before the new academy campaign begins in earnest.
Arsenal circle Ogunneye and Scanlon
While United juggle contracts and loans, Arsenal have moved into the picture for two more academy products.
Interest from the north London club in Habeeb Ogunneye and James Scanlon emerged on Wednesday and initially raised eyebrows among those who follow United’s youth sides closely. A closer look explains the logic.
Arsenal are light in their U21 squad and need reinforcements. David Horseman, who spent three months working with United’s U21s, has just taken over as Arsenal’s U21 head coach. He knows both players well and clearly believes they would strengthen his group.
Ogunneye, 20, spent last season on loan at Newport County. Scanlon, 19, had a spell with Swindon Town. Both have had a first taste of senior football in the lower leagues, and that experience now leaves them at a crossroads.
Do they push for another move down the pyramid to secure regular first-team minutes and kick-start their professional careers? Or does a switch to Arsenal’s U21s, under a coach who already understands their game, offer a smarter route?
United’s academy is used to producing talent for the first team. The next few weeks will show how many of these prospects see their future at Old Trafford – and how many decide their path lies elsewhere.
