Neil Harris spent 21 years at Manchester United before departing in 2024. In a recent interview, he opened up on recent changes to academy football that he doesn’t like.
There have been a lot of changes at Manchester United since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner and Ineos took control of football operations, including many in the academy.
Neil Cox departed to become football director at Everton, after doing an incredible job as United’s Head of Academy.
The ultimate aim for United’s academy is to develop young players and guide them towards the first team, as Kobbie Mainoo did before winning the FA Cup in 2024. A total of 254 graduates emerged from the academy to the first team.
Moreover, Stephen Torpey replaced Cox at United earlier this season to fill a crucial role that can shape the future of the football club.
A view of the Manchester United Academy prior to the Premier League 2 match between Manchester United Under-21 and Newcastle United Under-21 at the Carrington training complex in 2023 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Neil Harris raises concerns for youth players
As a former United youth player, Harris started his coaching career as a Development Centre Coach with the club before becoming Lead Youth Development Phase Coach.
Injuries prevented Harris from having a career in the professional game, but that didn’t prevent him from serving the Reds as a coach in the academy.
Harris worked with many top players during his time at United, such as Marcus Rashford.
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When asked about what he misses at United and recent changes he doesn’t like, Harris told Coach In Session with Steven Caulker: “There’s certain things definitely I don’t miss now in terms of or certain things that I think are creeping into academy football, and it’s not all clubs.
“It’s not throughout, but there is definitely a little bit in my opinion of premature professionalism now.
“You see you see certain things now I think it’s starting to look like a job a lot earlier for kids you know. The first time it should look like a job is a is a scholarship age, because they are generally, you know, they’ve finished school, they’re going into the club every single day, still using education etc.
“But for me that feels like it’s starting to drip in a little bit at 13/14 it’s not having a pop at coaches at all because I’m here to have these conversations but at times it feels more like a coach’s game than a player’s game now are we putting too many demands or too many restrictions and conditions on players at younger ages now that’s not allowing it to be a you know a player’s game as opposed to a coach’s game.”
Which Manchester United academy midfielder are you most excited about?
It sounds like Harris fears that a lot of fun has been taken from youth football, which is a concern to be mindful of.
Scott McTominay admired Neil Harris
Harris had a great relationship with several players during his time at United, including Scott McTominay, who has since joined Napoli and become a Serie A champion.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News in a previous interview, Harris recalled an interaction with McTominay, where the midfielder suggested he should be with the first team.
“I remember I went over to the first-team building for a meeting last year and he jumped on me in the canteen and said we need you back over here, we need your energy, Neil.”