While Manchester United’s new expensive training base saw the men’s senior team enjoy an improved experience all round, the under-21s and U18s teams were thrown into a state of instability.
Before construction began in the summer of 2024, both academy age-group teams enjoyed ground-floor dressing rooms located close to the first team’s area.
They also had access to a treatment room situated just down the corridor from the senior medical department and regularly shared social spaces with first-team players, including the canteen.
Academy staff were based in offices upstairs, within easy reach of the first-team setup, allowing for natural communication with the manager and club executives. However, according to the Athletic, since the design of the new main building, that close connection has been lost.
The new layout means the youth setup has been moved to a modular building behind the main building, although this is only while Manchester United invest in a new academy ground, with the aim of bringing the youth facilities in line with the new-look Carrington.
Man United U21s and U18s to relocate to former women’s team facility
Since the start of last season, both academy teams have endured a nomadic existence, operating out of the nearby academy building designed primarily for players aged 16 and under.
The setup offered ten dressing rooms but was ill-suited for older players, who found themselves rotating between spaces meant for the U12s and U14s.
The facilities, fitted with smaller benches and lower ceilings, made day-to-day life uncomfortable for the older age groups. Players were unable to store their belongings due to the constant movement of teams sharing the space, often taking their kits and gear home after each session to make room for younger squads coming in behind them.
However, they are set for another reshuffle, with the club confirming plans for the U21 and U18 squads to relocate to the two-storey complex originally built for the women’s team last season.
The £10m facility, located just behind the main building at Carrington, will now serve as the new base for the youth sides after a period of temporary arrangements.
The two-storey building was opened in October 2023, and with the women’s team now back in their own facility, the revamped block will give United’s U21s and U18s a more stable and professional environment to continue their development.
Man United to build bespoke academy structure
According to The Athletic, plans are in motion to construct a purpose-built academy facility designed to match the standard and style of the club’s first-team complex.
The proposed academy structure will be situated within the same site as the men’s and women’s teams, creating a more unified campus for all levels of the club.
The ambition is to provide world-class spaces explicitly tailored for youth development, complete with modern recovery areas, expanded training pitches, and state-of-the-art equipment mirroring what Ruben Amorim’s side currently enjoy.
While the finer details remain under wraps, the project is said to be gaining traction following the recent appointment of academy director Stephen Torpey.
His arrival has given the initiative new direction, with early discussions focused on ensuring the new facility not only supports elite football education but also reinforces Manchester United’s reputation as one of the leading academies in world football.
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There have been plenty of indications since INEOS took over football operations at Man Utd that they perhaps don't understand the history of the club in relation to the academy.
That was never more clear than during Ruben Amorim's tenure, when Kobbie Mainoo appeared set for a move away due to limited playing time, while the Portuguese manager also criticised multiple youth stars at the club and out on loan.
However, Amorim has now left the club and the focus should return to facilitating the progression of Carrington graduates into the first team, and the planned academy building will certainly help with that process, giving the youth players the best facilities to help improve their chance of reaching their potential.