Image Credits: Imago Images
The academy pipeline has rarely felt more scrutinised at Old Trafford recently, with every youth move dissected by supporters and pundits alike.
United’s decision-making in the transfer market now leans heavily on long-term development, not just instant results.
As the senior squad battles inconsistency, observers are increasingly watching how the club’s younger departures fare elsewhere.
One such story has emerged from the Under-21 level, and it involves a player who once carried the Red Devils badge.
Manchester United’s former youth midfielder Zach Baumann found himself at the heart of the action in a dramatic 3-2 loss for Norwich City Under-21s away at Sunderland on Friday evening in the Under-21 Premier League Cup, a game decided by two late goals.
Zach Baumann, who completed a permanent transfer from Manchester United to Norwich City in September, made his first competitive start for the Canaries and was one of three players returning from injury to start alongside Charlie Wilson and Finley Welch.
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The game started with Felix Scott narrowly missing an opening for Sunderland.
But soon after, Joe Neild prodded home from close range to give the hosts the lead.
The visitors struck back just past the 20-minute mark, Harmony Okwumo delivered a ball down the channel to Baumann, who slid it across to Dylan Jones to level.
The contest was evenly poised, with Tony Springett’s effort blocked one way and Ben Middlesmas’ volley denied by Rylee Mitchell the other.
Early in the second half, both sides had chances: Zach Baumann dragged an effort wide, and Jaydon Jones was thwarted by a sharp Mitchell save.
Then came a moment of individual brilliance: Baumann received a pass from AJ Bridge, shrugged off his marker, and slotted home to put Norwich ahead.
But the match took a turn.
Norwich were reduced to 10 men when Jones suffered an injury and the bench had no other outfield cover.
Sunderland capitalised, Tom Proctor drew them level, and in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Marcus Neill bundled in the winner.
Though heartbreaking, the outing underlined Baumann’s promise in a challenging scenario.
For United supporters, his progress is reminder of what youth departures can bring, both risk and reward.
Norwich City’s Under-21s now shift focus to Premier League 2 action, hosting Burnley on October 24 at the Avant Training Centre, before travelling to Bromley in the U21 PL Cup next month.
Zach Baumann scored his first goal & assisted another in his first start for Norwich u21s recently in the #PLCup
Great technical talent who works well in those tight spaces but opted to move away from United in the summer. Excited to see if it pays offpic.twitter.com/yvMa3iikdY
— RedYouthUnited (@RedYouthUnited) October 13, 2025