Erik ten Hag turns back on Man Utd tradition as transfer plans take shape
Manchester United's youth players face a battle to establish themselves as first-team regulars under Erik ten Hag.
While Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have made the jump from aspiring youngsters to first-team regulars at United, they have proved to be the exception. Ten Hag has raised the bar for Academy players to make the graduation to the first-team, meaning many youngsters have been forced to leave to further their careers and play regularly.
Academy graduates Hannibal Mejbri and Alvaro Fernandez have both gone out on loan for the remainder of the season, to Sevilla and Benfica respectively. Other young players, including James Garner, Anthony Elanga, Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage have also left United permanently, after failing to make the step up to the first-team.
Those exits, and the loan departures of Mejbri and Fernandez, have demonstrated United's willingness to let graduates leave the club while still developing, which was not always the case. There is a recognition at United that not every youth player will become a first-team regular and the Academy has an obligation to produce a return on investment, as well as produce talent.
The deals that saw Garner, Elanga, Iqbal and Savage leave have generated significant funds for United to reinvest in the squad and help the club comply with Financial Fair Play restrictions. The deal that has seen Fernandez join Benfica includes an obligation for the Portuguese club to buy, which is triggered when the defender reaches a certain number of appearances.
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United have also inserted a buyback option as part of the deal and a sell-on fee, if the 20-year-old is sold to another club. With Mejbri, there is an option for Sevilla to pay £14million up front for the Tunisian midfielder, and a further £3m in add-ons, to make the deal permanent at the end of the loan agreement.
United also have a significant sell-on clause as part of the deal, as well as a buy back option until the summer of 2026.
Hannibal Mejbri and Alvaro Fernandez have both left Old Trafford on loan (Getty Images)What's your thoughts on Manchester United's new transfer policy? Let us know in the comments below!
Other notable United academy graduates playing elsewhere in the Premier League include Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira, Luton midfielder Tahith Chong and Everton winger Dwight McNeil. Angel Gomes, meanwhile, is plying his trade at French club Lille.
United's academy is one of the most successful in European football, having won the FA Youth Cup a record 11 times. David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes - known as the 'Class of 92' - graduated from the club's academy and inspired Sir Alex Ferguson's team to multiple honours.
But United suffered defeat in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday, as Swindon recorded a famous 2-0 win at the County Ground. More than 2,000 fans watched the game.
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