Interest in the academy seems to be at an all time high so I thought I would provide my views and info on the squad
Conor Devlin born 29-3-91 is a Northern Irish Goalkeeper who has started to impress for the academy of late. Very highly rated in his native Northern Ireland where he helped United to milk cup glory in the summer Devlins main strengths are his handling and kicking. Devlin actually played in the F.A. youth cup for Aston Villa in their defeat against Arsenal following an injury to their keeper. He is eligible to play for the academy again next year. Devlin has made 6 appearances for the academy this season.
Gary Woods born 1-10-90 is a strong young keeper who started the season by playing for the seniors in pre season.A very agile keeper Woods main strength is his shot stopping. Having come back from around a year out with injuries Woods started the season as the number 1 for the academy and has so far made 9 appearances for the academy this season aswell as 2 appearances for the reserves.
Reece Brown born 1-11-91 Younger brother of Wes, Reece is a big strong Central defender who can also play at right back. Since coming into the squad last season Reece has made good progress and was forming a very strong central defensive pairing with Scott Wootton before injury struck before the Chelsea game in the youth cup. The game could have had a different outcome had Brown been available as Gill did not have the pace to deal with the Chelsea strikers. Brown has made 11 appearances for the academy and 1 for the reserves. Eligible to play again next season.
Joe Dudgeon born 26-11-90 A very determined and dependable left back in the Denis Irwin mould the teams defence has looked a lot more balanced since Dudgeons return to the team. A very solid defender Dudgeon has added attacking ability to his game getting forward to put in crosses and support the winger. His long throws have also added to our attacking armoury. Has made 9 academy appearances.
Oliver Gill born 15-9-90 Oliver Gill the son of David is a strong central defender who has made 13 appearances for the academy this season and 2 appearances for the reserves. Gill is strong and good in the air but his lack of pace is noticable agianst the quicker strikers. Has been out of the side in recent weeks and the defence has looked stronger without him.
Scott Moffatt born 7-12-90 a very tough and strong tackling full back Moffatt has not appeared this year after sustaining a serious knee injury last season
Kenny Strickland born 10-10-90 a central defender with good reading of the game has played well for the academy this season playing all across the back four due to injuries to others. He has made 13 appearances for the academy this season
Scott Wootton born 12-9-91 signed last season from Liverpool is a strong central defender very strong in the air and good positional sense has been one of the mainstays of the academy team having made 14 appearances for the academy and played 3 times for the reserves. Eligible again next season.
Cameron Stewart born 8-4-91 =7+1 is a very quick and skillful winger whos main problem seems to be a lack of consistency. He has all the tricks of a good winger and is a good crosser reminiscent of Aaron Lennon. Stewart has made 14 appearances for the academy scoring once and 7 appearances for the reserves scoring once.
Robert Brady born 14-1-92 is a left winger or midfield player who came from Ireland with a very big reputation who has been restricted by injuries so far in his United career. Has shown glimpses of his talent lately with a hat trick in a friendly before limping off in the academys last game against West Brom. Brady has looked very strong defensively as well as going forward and it was only when he went off against Chelsea that Chelsea started to threaten going forward. He has made 12 appearances for the academy this season.
Chris Curran born 5-1-91 is a pacy winger from Northern Ireland who’s main attributes are his pace and dribbling. He is another who has had his season disrupted by injury. Has not played for the last couple of months. Has played 7 times for the academy scoring once and once for the reserves
Matthew James born 22-7-91 =4+1 Captain of the team. After having to play central defence last season James has been a revelation this season in his preferred central midfield controlling games with his passing and scoring plenty of goals. He has looked too strong for this level and has recently been moved upto the reserves. Has played 13 times for the academy scoring 6 times and 4 for the reserves scoring once.
Oliver Norwood born 12-4-91 is a central midfielder who has excellent technique and is a set piece specialist. Norwood has had a very good season setting up goals and scoring some long range stunners. Norwood has made more appearances than anyone else this season and was recently handed the captains armband following James promotion to the reserves. Has played 16 times this season scoring 4 goals and has played once for the reserves.
Davide Petrucci born 5-10-91 is an attacking midfielder or second striker who was signed from Roma in the summer with a huge reputation as the next Totti. An tall player with excellent technique Petrucci instantly formed an understanding with Macheda but has really started to impress in recent weeks with his long range shooting and he scored 2 stunners in the last game. Has played 13 times for the academy scoring 5 times and played once for the reserves.
Nicky Ajose born 7-10-91 is a pacy striker or winger who has made a good scoring contribution this season. His main attributes are his pace and he is very effective coming off the bench when other players are tired. Has made 13 appearances although only 4 of these starts and scored 5 goals
Evandro Brandao born 4-5-91 =2 is a Portuguese striker who had a very good Milk cup tournament and would have expected to push on this season. He can look very good at times but has no consistency in his finishing. Can provide excellent finishes or unbelievable misses. Has played 7 times for the academy scoring 2 and played 2 games for the reserves
Joshua King born 15-1-92 is a tall and very fast Norwegian Striker who has had a lot of injuries since signing last year. After playing very well in the Milk cup King got injured early in the season but has come back lately and showed his pace and aerial ability in a sub appearance against West Brom. If he can stay fit he could be a good addition in the second half of the season. Has made 6 academy appearances and 2 goals
Federico Macheda born 22-8-91 =5+1 a tall striker from Italy Macheda is a very composed finisher who has really impressed this season and was even involved with the senior squad for the Derby game. Macheda has both scored and assisted a lot of goals this season and has looked too good for this age group so has been moved up to the reserve team for the rest of the season. Has played 15 times for the academy this season scoring 8 goals and has played 12 times for the reserves scoring 5 goals.
Under 16s making the step up
Sam Johnstone born 25-3-93 is a young goalkeeper from the under 16s who has been involved in the under 18s but is yet to play. He is already 6 foot 4 or 5 and is only 15. Having seen him a couple of times playing in the premier cup during the summer and for England under 16s against Scotland he looks very impressive and his distribution in particular is exceptional. In the game against Scotland he hit 7 or 8 60 or 70 yard passes straight to feet. Hopefully we will see him in action for the academy next season.
Tom Thorpe born 13-1-93 is a tall strong central defender who has come into the academy team in the last couple of games and really shored up the defence. Has very good positional sense and is strong in the air. He has also played for England under 16s this season. Has made 5 appearances for the academy.
Ryan Tunnicliffe born 30-12-92 is central midfielder who can also play in defence Tunnicliffe plays for the England under 17s and has really excelled this season scoring 3 goals in the last 2 England games he has been Englands best player despite being surrounded by the likes of Bostock and Baxter. He was the england under 16 captain last year in a team including Jack Wilshere. Has played most of his football this season filling in at right back but has looked more impressive the last couple of games playing central midfield.
Ravel Morrison is a central or wide midfielder who is a very impressive dribbler and excellent finisher. He was second top scorer in the under 15 Nike premier cup during the summer with 5 goals despite playing in midfield. He has continued his progress this season scoring for England under 16s against Northern Ireland and impressing hugely in the games he has played for the academy. He has incredible pace and dribbling ability and confidence in his own ability often going past 3 or 4 players at a time. Looks an incredible prospect. Has played 7 times for the academy starting 8 and scored 6 goals
John Cofie 21-1-93 is a strong quick striker who at only 15 stands over 6 foot and can apparently run 100m in 11 seconds. Gained a lot of publicity when he was signed from Burnley. Has scored in his only appearance for the academt to date.
Ezekiel Fryers born 9-9-92 is a strong central defender or left back who is calm and assured, he reads the game well from centre back and was a regular in the centre of the England U16 back line last season, helping them to lift the Victory Shield. Played for united in the Milk cup last summer and has played for England under 17s this season.
Larnel Cole is a central midfielder who plays for the under 16s and was quite impressive alongside Ravel Morrison in the premier cup last summer. Has been involved with the academy in some friendly matches
Conor Devlin born 29-3-91 is a Northern Irish Goalkeeper who has started to impress for the academy of late. Very highly rated in his native Northern Ireland where he helped United to milk cup glory in the summer Devlins main strengths are his handling and kicking. Devlin actually played in the F.A. youth cup for Aston Villa in their defeat against Arsenal following an injury to their keeper. He is eligible to play for the academy again next year. Devlin has made 6 appearances for the academy this season.
Gary Woods born 1-10-90 is a strong young keeper who started the season by playing for the seniors in pre season.A very agile keeper Woods main strength is his shot stopping. Having come back from around a year out with injuries Woods started the season as the number 1 for the academy and has so far made 9 appearances for the academy this season aswell as 2 appearances for the reserves.
Reece Brown born 1-11-91 Younger brother of Wes, Reece is a big strong Central defender who can also play at right back. Since coming into the squad last season Reece has made good progress and was forming a very strong central defensive pairing with Scott Wootton before injury struck before the Chelsea game in the youth cup. The game could have had a different outcome had Brown been available as Gill did not have the pace to deal with the Chelsea strikers. Brown has made 11 appearances for the academy and 1 for the reserves. Eligible to play again next season.
Joe Dudgeon born 26-11-90 A very determined and dependable left back in the Denis Irwin mould the teams defence has looked a lot more balanced since Dudgeons return to the team. A very solid defender Dudgeon has added attacking ability to his game getting forward to put in crosses and support the winger. His long throws have also added to our attacking armoury. Has made 9 academy appearances.
Oliver Gill born 15-9-90 Oliver Gill the son of David is a strong central defender who has made 13 appearances for the academy this season and 2 appearances for the reserves. Gill is strong and good in the air but his lack of pace is noticable agianst the quicker strikers. Has been out of the side in recent weeks and the defence has looked stronger without him.
Scott Moffatt born 7-12-90 a very tough and strong tackling full back Moffatt has not appeared this year after sustaining a serious knee injury last season
Kenny Strickland born 10-10-90 a central defender with good reading of the game has played well for the academy this season playing all across the back four due to injuries to others. He has made 13 appearances for the academy this season
Scott Wootton born 12-9-91 signed last season from Liverpool is a strong central defender very strong in the air and good positional sense has been one of the mainstays of the academy team having made 14 appearances for the academy and played 3 times for the reserves. Eligible again next season.
Cameron Stewart born 8-4-91 =7+1 is a very quick and skillful winger whos main problem seems to be a lack of consistency. He has all the tricks of a good winger and is a good crosser reminiscent of Aaron Lennon. Stewart has made 14 appearances for the academy scoring once and 7 appearances for the reserves scoring once.
Robert Brady born 14-1-92 is a left winger or midfield player who came from Ireland with a very big reputation who has been restricted by injuries so far in his United career. Has shown glimpses of his talent lately with a hat trick in a friendly before limping off in the academys last game against West Brom. Brady has looked very strong defensively as well as going forward and it was only when he went off against Chelsea that Chelsea started to threaten going forward. He has made 12 appearances for the academy this season.
Chris Curran born 5-1-91 is a pacy winger from Northern Ireland who’s main attributes are his pace and dribbling. He is another who has had his season disrupted by injury. Has not played for the last couple of months. Has played 7 times for the academy scoring once and once for the reserves
Matthew James born 22-7-91 =4+1 Captain of the team. After having to play central defence last season James has been a revelation this season in his preferred central midfield controlling games with his passing and scoring plenty of goals. He has looked too strong for this level and has recently been moved upto the reserves. Has played 13 times for the academy scoring 6 times and 4 for the reserves scoring once.
Oliver Norwood born 12-4-91 is a central midfielder who has excellent technique and is a set piece specialist. Norwood has had a very good season setting up goals and scoring some long range stunners. Norwood has made more appearances than anyone else this season and was recently handed the captains armband following James promotion to the reserves. Has played 16 times this season scoring 4 goals and has played once for the reserves.
Davide Petrucci born 5-10-91 is an attacking midfielder or second striker who was signed from Roma in the summer with a huge reputation as the next Totti. An tall player with excellent technique Petrucci instantly formed an understanding with Macheda but has really started to impress in recent weeks with his long range shooting and he scored 2 stunners in the last game. Has played 13 times for the academy scoring 5 times and played once for the reserves.
Nicky Ajose born 7-10-91 is a pacy striker or winger who has made a good scoring contribution this season. His main attributes are his pace and he is very effective coming off the bench when other players are tired. Has made 13 appearances although only 4 of these starts and scored 5 goals
Evandro Brandao born 4-5-91 =2 is a Portuguese striker who had a very good Milk cup tournament and would have expected to push on this season. He can look very good at times but has no consistency in his finishing. Can provide excellent finishes or unbelievable misses. Has played 7 times for the academy scoring 2 and played 2 games for the reserves
Joshua King born 15-1-92 is a tall and very fast Norwegian Striker who has had a lot of injuries since signing last year. After playing very well in the Milk cup King got injured early in the season but has come back lately and showed his pace and aerial ability in a sub appearance against West Brom. If he can stay fit he could be a good addition in the second half of the season. Has made 6 academy appearances and 2 goals
Federico Macheda born 22-8-91 =5+1 a tall striker from Italy Macheda is a very composed finisher who has really impressed this season and was even involved with the senior squad for the Derby game. Macheda has both scored and assisted a lot of goals this season and has looked too good for this age group so has been moved up to the reserve team for the rest of the season. Has played 15 times for the academy this season scoring 8 goals and has played 12 times for the reserves scoring 5 goals.
Under 16s making the step up
Sam Johnstone born 25-3-93 is a young goalkeeper from the under 16s who has been involved in the under 18s but is yet to play. He is already 6 foot 4 or 5 and is only 15. Having seen him a couple of times playing in the premier cup during the summer and for England under 16s against Scotland he looks very impressive and his distribution in particular is exceptional. In the game against Scotland he hit 7 or 8 60 or 70 yard passes straight to feet. Hopefully we will see him in action for the academy next season.
Tom Thorpe born 13-1-93 is a tall strong central defender who has come into the academy team in the last couple of games and really shored up the defence. Has very good positional sense and is strong in the air. He has also played for England under 16s this season. Has made 5 appearances for the academy.
Ryan Tunnicliffe born 30-12-92 is central midfielder who can also play in defence Tunnicliffe plays for the England under 17s and has really excelled this season scoring 3 goals in the last 2 England games he has been Englands best player despite being surrounded by the likes of Bostock and Baxter. He was the england under 16 captain last year in a team including Jack Wilshere. Has played most of his football this season filling in at right back but has looked more impressive the last couple of games playing central midfield.
Ravel Morrison is a central or wide midfielder who is a very impressive dribbler and excellent finisher. He was second top scorer in the under 15 Nike premier cup during the summer with 5 goals despite playing in midfield. He has continued his progress this season scoring for England under 16s against Northern Ireland and impressing hugely in the games he has played for the academy. He has incredible pace and dribbling ability and confidence in his own ability often going past 3 or 4 players at a time. Looks an incredible prospect. Has played 7 times for the academy starting 8 and scored 6 goals
John Cofie 21-1-93 is a strong quick striker who at only 15 stands over 6 foot and can apparently run 100m in 11 seconds. Gained a lot of publicity when he was signed from Burnley. Has scored in his only appearance for the academt to date.
Ezekiel Fryers born 9-9-92 is a strong central defender or left back who is calm and assured, he reads the game well from centre back and was a regular in the centre of the England U16 back line last season, helping them to lift the Victory Shield. Played for united in the Milk cup last summer and has played for England under 17s this season.
Larnel Cole is a central midfielder who plays for the under 16s and was quite impressive alongside Ravel Morrison in the premier cup last summer. Has been involved with the academy in some friendly matches
