MAN UTD WELCOME 10 PLAYERS TO CLUB AS NEW RECRUITS PICTURED AT OLD TRAFFORD

Manchester United have handed out scholarships to 10 new players this week – and some have already been tipped for great things.

10 new first-year scholars have joined the ranks at Old Trafford. And they will be looking to progress through an academy that holds an exceptional level of talent.

Having won the Premier League North title, Premier League Cup and Premier League national title, United's Under-18s stars are among the best there is right now, off the back of securing a domestic treble.

Among this new group of scholars are some notable names, including Bendito Mantato, who was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford and has been dubbed the 'next Bukayo Saka' by some.

Tying down the talented Mantato, United will be relieved to have kept hold of the 16-year-old winger, whom they have reportedly agreed a pre-professional contract with. Alongside Mantato, Amir Ibragimov has been featuring regularly for England's U16 side and is one of the bigger names, drawing comparisons to United legend Wayne Rooney.

Dante Plunkett is another of those signed to a scholarship, having recently arrived at Carrington via Aston Villa's academy earlier this year. The young left-back joined initially on a trial basis and went on to make the bench for the U18s in February before he was handed his debut in February.

Alongside Plunkett, fellow defenders Albert Mills, Daniel Armer and Godwill Kukonki have also secured scholarships and will be part of the academy next season.

Jim Thwaites, whose strike against Derby County won the club's U16 and U18 goals of the season, is joined by midfielder James Bailey on the list. Two young goalkeepers have also been handed scholarships, with Cameron Byrne-Hughes and Fred Heath hoping to feature between the sticks for United's youth sides.

Seeing the likes of Kobbie Mainoo now gracing the biggest stage at Euro 2024, many of these new scholars will hope that they can reach such heights themselves.

Full list of United's first-years scholars for 2024/25: Daniel Armer (Defender), James Bailey (Midfielder), Cameron Byrne-Hughes (Goalkeeper), Frederick Heath (Goalkeeper), Amir Ibragimov (Forward), Godwill Kukonki (Defender), Bendito Mantato (Forward), Albert Mills (Defender), Dante Plunkett (Defender) and Jim Thwaites (Midfielder).

The players are pictured on United's website together.

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2024-07-03T12:58:19Z dg43tfdfdgfd