Man Utd have settled on a new head of academy recruitment after coming close to an appointment from Newcastle.
United's academy building
United's academy building(Image: Manchester United)
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Manchester United have promoted Connor Hunter to the role of head of academy recruitment. United were in talks to appoint Newcastle's head of youth recruitment, Paul Midgley, but he decided to stay in the north east.
United have promoted from within to appoint Hunter to the position. The Liverpool John Moores University graduate has spent eight years working in several different positions at the club.
Hunter has worked as the academy lead phase scout at United, the pre-academy manager, head of local recruitment 7-15, lead phase scout between Under-13 and Under-16, and was most recently national scouting manager. Hunter will continue to identify top prospects to join the academy in his new role.
Midgley decided to stay at Newcastle after late talks with their sporting director Ross Wilson, academy director Steve Harper and head of recruitment Steve Nickson. Midgley previously worked at Manchester City alongside United's director of football Jason Wilcox and Stephen Torpey.
United began searching for a new head of academy recruitment after Luke Fedorenko accepted an offer to work for a football agency. Fedorenko played a crucial role in landing top youth signings during his time in Manchester, but he decided it was time for a new chapter after Nick Cox's exit last year.
Fedorenko had a strong relationship with former head of the academy Cox. The pair worked together in Sheffield United's academy before reuniting at United.
United's academy recruitment has been narrowed to the British shores in the post-Brexit era, and Fedorenko played a crucial role alongside Cox in signing Chido Obi from Arsenal.
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