As seen by their notorious Class of 92, Manchester United’s academy has been crucial to their success throughout the years, producing players who have helped the Red Devils achieve unprecedented success.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s success at Old Trafford was greatly aided by the quintet, but it’s safe to conclude that players who have since made the leap have fallen short of those standards.
Marcus Rashford may have scored more over 100 goals in his first stint, but his attitude ultimately led to his downfall and multiple loan stints away from his boyhood team.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, before linking up with LaLiga champions Barcelona on a season-long loan for the 2025/26 campaign.
However, he’s not the only academy star who has seen his future come into question over recent months, with another player close to the exit door in recent days.
Kobbie Mainoo’s potential exit from United this summer
Following his incredible 2023–24 season, which included a late goal against rivals Liverpool and an FA Cup final goal, no United supporter could have predicted how Kobbie Mainoo’s tenure at the club would unfold.
Ruben Amorim preferred alternative midfield options, therefore the 20-year-old only made 25 Premier League games last season, 19 of which were in a starting position.
Due to the fact that he has only played in 45 minutes of league action this season, the player publicly declared his desire to leave Old Trafford before to the most recent transfer deadline.
Any move would’ve only been a temporary switch away from the Red Devils, but the club refused to let him leave, which has resulted in the player needing to fight for his place in the starting eleven.
Despite the window closing, the youngster’s future still remains up in the air, with another former academy graduate slipping through their clutches a couple of years ago.
The £500k United star who could’ve been the dream Mainoo replacement
Notwithstanding the achievements of the aforementioned players, many United youths have found it difficult to establish themselves on the first squad and have had to quit the team in order to establish themselves.
One such example is James Garner, who left the Red Devils to sign for Everton in the summer of 2022 and has since established himself as a mainstay in their starting lineup.
He has made just under 88 appearances for the Toffees, scoring three goals, notably against Brighton & Hove Albion in the team’s debut at their new stadium.
The Englishman is not alone in that regard; Maxi Oyedele, a midfielder who joined the Red Devils at the age of eight, has also failed to make an impression on the first team.
Although he had several loan stints with teams like Forest Green Rovers and Altrincham over his 11 years in the academy, it wasn’t enough to propel him into the senior squad.
Last summer, the board decided to let him go permanently, allowing the 20-year-old to sign with Legia Warsaw of Poland for a pittance of £500k.
The midfielder, who Bruno Fernandes has called “fantastic,” was able to make 24 games last season, five of which were in the Europa Conference League, thanks to this move.
| Maxi Oyedele – stats in 2024/25 | |
|---|---|
| Statistics (per 90) | Tally |
| Games played | 16 |
| Minutes played | 985 |
| Pass accuracy | 86% |
| Dribble success | 69% |
| Tackles won | 1.9 |
| Duels won | 5.9 |
| Aerials won | 1.1 |
| Interceptions made | 1.6 |
| Stats via FotMob | |
Due to his outstanding underlying statistics, he was able to sign a contract with Strasbourg, a Ligue 1 team, this summer for £5.2 million.
Given that his current team is also controlled by the same organization as Enzo Maresca’s team, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Oyedele join Chelsea soon if he continues to improve in France.
Given the current difficulties at Old Trafford that have been suffered under the Amorim era, the decision to sell him might turn out to be a mistake in the years to come.
Given Mainoo’s current situation, he could leave the Red Devils in the years ahead – subsequently leaving a huge hole in the heart of the side and one that Oyedele could’ve filled had he remained at the club.
Leave a Reply