This week's Man Utd academy notebook on the latest ongoings, brought to you by the Manchester Evening News.
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William Murdock started in the FA Youth Cup semi-final.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
Hello and welcome to this week's Manchester United academy notebook.
The Manchester Evening News provide more coverage of United'sacademy than any other outlet and we experimented by publishing an academy notebook last season.
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The notebook was brought back during the 2024/25 campaign and its purpose is to provide readers with digestible information about the current ongoings around the youth setup.
It will be published every Wednesday and here is the latest academy news...
Murdock impressing staff
The Under-18s lost to Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup on Monday night, but young goalkeeper William Murdock made a handful of crucial saves at the start of the second half.
Murdock helped to force extra-time and penalties at Villa Park and Adam Lawrence praised his progression when he spoke to the Manchester Evening News after the final whistle.
"We were speaking earlier about Will and the steady progression that he has shown throughout the season. He has always been someone that we think has got good potential," said Lawrence.
"But you’re right in terms of seeing him grow throughout the competition this year. The saves stand out, but it’s been noticeable things like seeing him come for crosses when corners are coming in and claiming high balls.
"He’s been very, very good at that and he’s made a noticeable improvement with his feet as well in terms of receiving and the detail of his passes. Obviously, he's got a long way to go and a lot to work on, but you’re right in terms of he has stood out in this tournament."
United have talented young goalkeepers coming through the ranks and Murdock is one of them.
Villa won the game on penalties.
Gabriel with the U18s again
Supremely talented youngster JJ Gabriel travelled to the Emirates for the FA Cup Youth Cup quarter-finals last month. He wasn't named in the squad, but he was given the opportunity to warm up and spend time around his older peers, which players of his age don't usually receive.
Gabriel, who has the nickname 'Kid Messi', was spotted again in Birmingham for the semi-final, and there is an expectation that he will make his U18 debut before the end of the season.
The 14-year-old is attracting interest from some of Europe's most elite sides and United are hopeful they can do enough to convince him that staying in Manchester is still the best option.
JJ Gabriel travelled with the squad again.
How much it meant to Villa
The U18s' campaign in the Youth Cup has generated positivity in a bleak season for the first-team and it was disappointing to see the youngsters exit the competition on a penalty shootout.
Some of United's players slumped to their knees when the decisive penalty was saved and the hosts' celebrations were raucous. The Aston Villa players sprinted to celebrate with their goalkeeper, Sam Proctor, and they danced and punched the pair in front of the section of home supporters.
Watching the players' reactions showed just how much the Youth Cup means at academy level.
Mantato's best position
The MEN reported in November that Bendito Matato could eventually be promoted into the first-team squad by Ruben Amorim and he recently took part in senior training at Carrington.
Mantato formerly played at left-back in academy fixtures, but he's gradually progressed to predominantly play on the right wing and his style has led to comparisons with Bukayo Saka, who also started his career as a defender before developing into a superb attacking player.
He came off the bench to play on the right in the Youth Cup semi-final and made an instant impact, but he was moved to left-back when Lawrence introduced Samuel Lusale to the pitch.
Mantato's talent is wasted in defence and his long-term future should lie on the right wing.
Mantato pictured in first-team training.
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Mather played for the U21s
The Under-21s drew 2-2 with Leeds last Friday thanks to goals from Sekou Kone and Sam Mather. Kone was rewarded with a spot on the bench against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, and it was great to see Mather get some minutes after joining Tranmere Rovers on loan in January.
United did the same with Rhys Bennett last season, allowing him to play for the U21s because he wasn't featuring regularly with Stockport County, and Mather will benefit from having a kick.