Every year Manchester United announces a list of scholars who have tied their short-term futures down to the club.
It includes players who are 16, and often have already experienced under-18 football at Carrington, with this move being a sign they are set to play a big role next season at the level.
Last season the 2024 Manchester United scholars list included players like Amir Ibragimov and Bendito Mantato, who have since gone on to impress in higher age groups.
Now, the club has officially announced the 12 youngsters set to make the step up next season potentially under rumoured new under-18 head coach Darren Fletcher.
Manchester United's latest group of scholars celebrated their contract signings at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
Presenting the traditional club suits, graduate 241 Tom Heaton said: "It's up to you to take ownership."
Congratulations to them allhttps://t.co/cmrl2kG15g pic.twitter.com/VxBMeqCKYN
— Harry Robinson (@HarryRobinson64) July 2, 2025
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Here are all 12, and what you need to know about each…
A general view of the Carrington Training Ground with Manchester United badge.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Zach Watson
In positional order, Zach Watson is the first name to sign a scholarship contract this summer. According to the Daily Mail, Watson was one of three teenagers United spent six figures on in a triple raid at Doncaster in 2023.
Next season, he will get to prove himself at an under-18 level.
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Yuel Helafu
Next on the list is 16-year-old Yuel Helafu who is a defender, mainly as a right back. Helafu was impressive in last summer’s NI Super Cup and will hope to kick on further this summer.
Rafe McCormack
Another defender to agree to a scholarship deal is Rafe McCormack who is an England U16 international already. McCormack is very versatile and capable of playing in central defence or midfield.
Jayden Ngwashi
Arguably the most exciting name on the list, United moved swiftly to secure Jayden Ngwashi’s future, with Europe’s elite circling the centre-back. At 16, he already has so many boxes ticked to be a top central defender and next season it will be very exciting to see how he performs.
Jacob Watson
Next on the list is Jacob Watson, who is another 16-year-old centre-back for United, designed as a ‘future star’ by YMU.
Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher
Into the midfield and Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher has also signed his scholarship deal. Ibrovic-Fletcher is a goal-scoring midfielder, with a long frame and is capable of doing it all.
Already, Ibrovic-Fletcher is an under-16 Serbia international and will be keen to prove his quality next season.
Jay McEvoy
United have tied Jay McEvoy down to a scholarship deal, with the Irish youth international highly regarded in the club and abroad.
In Italy, McEvoy has earned comparisons with Xavi Hernandez, which is very high praise.
Jariyah Shah
A second name from the 2023 Doncaster raid is Jariyah Shah and he has joined Watson in the class of 2025. Despite his age, Shah has already debuted for the U18s and next season is set to be a big one.
Noah Ajayi
Noah Ajayi is an exciting left winger who made his U21 debut at the age of just 16 last season. Big things are in store for this talented attacker next season when he can make the U18s his own, no doubt competing with JJ Gabriel for minutes.
Neithan Barbosa
The third and final of the Doncaster raid is Neithan Barbosa and he has joined his two teammates in signing a scholarship deal. The Portuguese wonderkid is a right winger and should get plenty of minutes with Mantato likely too good for U18 football next season.
Nathaniel-Junior Brown
Another exciting winger handed a scholarship deal this summer is Nathaniel-Junior Brown, who is electric on the left wing as he showed in the Super Cup NI last summer. He will want to kick on this coming season though and get himself in discussions alongside Gabriel.
Louie Bradbury
Finally, United’s very own Chido Obi, Louie Bradbury has also signed a scholarship deal. Bradbury is an exciting young Welsh striker who has lethal finishing.
Bradbury was unstoppable last season for United and next season he will probably be the regular starter up front having already scored his first goal at U18 level.