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How Manchester United academy players performed on loan
Manchester United’s first team have struggled to inspire this season under Erik ten Hag with the Red Devils in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United have started the season very poorly with the 2024 summer transfer dealings looking to be a mistake so far.
Away from the United first team, United’s academy side picked up a 3-2 win over Forest Green in the National League Cup.
As well as United’s under-21s, the Red Devils have loaned out several top academy players out this summer here is how they got on this week.
Rhys Bennett – Fleetwood Town
After making just a single appearance for EFL League Two side Stockport County, United allowed Rhys Bennett to join Fleetwood Town on a loan deal.
Bennett netted against Stoke City in the Carabao Cup for Fleetwood and put in a brilliant performance against Bromley on Saturday the 5th of October, despite playing just 45 minutes.
In all competitions, Bennett has made seven appearances for Fleetwood and looks to be impressing in the EFL.
Radek Vitek – BW Linz
United goalkeeper Radek Vitek impressed during pre-season for the Red Devils but Ten Hag decided that the Czech Republic goalkeeper needed a loan move.
Vitek kept two clean sheets in his opening three games for the Austrian side but has since suffered an injury problem but is expected to be fit within the next month to continue his first-team development.
Elyh Harrison – Chester
Another promising goalkeeper on the books for the Red Devils is Elyh Harrison, who was sent out on a temporary deal to National League North side Chester.
Harrison was named Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player Of The Year last year and has had a brilliant start on loan at the National League side.
The 18-year-old goalkeeper kept a clean sheet for Chester against Farsley on Saturday the 5th of October, as the game finished 0-0.
Tom Wooster – Farsley
Harrison was not the only United loanee on display during the National League North clash but Tom Wooster was another name who featured.
Wooster joined United from Barnsley back in 2021 and he too played the full 90 minutes against Chester and kept a clean sheet.
This National League North clash proved to be a productive game for the goalkeeping union at Old Trafford.
James Nolan – Inverness Caledonian Thistle
An Under-21s regular last season, 19-year-old James Nolan joined Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle on deadline day and is due to stay with the club until the end of the season.
19-year-old Nolan has made nine appearances in all competitions, these include 5 appearances in Scottish League One and scoring once for the club against Cove Rangers in a 1-1 draw.
Tom Myles – Runcorn Linnets
During the 2023/24 campaign, which was the year that the United under 18s won the Premier League title and the Premier League title cup, Myles made 20 appearances for the side.
United decided that Myles needed to get first-team football away from the club with Runcorn Linnets and he has since made eight appearances for the club since then.
The 18-year-old has kept three clean sheets with one particularly memorable reflex save against Vauxhall Motors in a 1-0 away win.
Joe Hugill – Wigan Athletic
One of the more familiar names who is currently out on loan is forward Joe Hugill, who is currently at EFL Championship side Wigan Athletic after previous spells at Burton Albion and Altrincham to gain valuable experience.
This season for Wigan, Hugill has netted three times in all competitions – which includes two goals against Bristol Rovers.
Hugill netted against Rangers during pre-season for United and he could be one to watch during the remainder of the current campaign.
Sonny Aljofree – Accrington Stanley
Another player who has previous experience at Altrincham, as part of United’s youth initiative with the club, is Sonny Aljofree. Aljofree was able to play elsewhere and train at the Red Devils.
Aljofree went one step further and secured a loan move to Accrington Stanley but the 19-year-old defender has had to wait for his chance in professional football.
Aljofree made his first start for Accrington against Morecambe with Stanley picking up a vital win. Aljofree put pen to paper on a new deal at United and he could have a big future.
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