Former Manchester United academy talent Adam Berry’s unusual career decision is paying off.
Not every Manchester United prospect can make a Kobbie Mainoo style breakthrough into the club’s first team. Even over the past 12 months, Mainoo has found it can be a rocky path.
One young midfielder who decided to try his luck elsewhere is Adam Berry.
Berry made his United under-18s debut in 2021 at just 15, featuring in the same team as Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Radek Vitek and Tyler Fredricson.
After making 27 appearances for United’s academy, Berry opted to leave the club and sign with Nottingham Forest.
This past January, Berry made the unusual move to quit the Premier League side and join Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood.
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Adam Berry stars in upset win
Adam Berry is now 20, and having been frustrated in his efforts to break the first team at Forest, he grabbed the opportunity to go and play first team football in the Saudi Pro League.
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Berry could not have asked for a more high-profile debut, in the circumstances. He made his first ever professional appearance as a substitute against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. They shared the pitch together for the final 12 minutes of Al Khalood’s 3-0 defeat.
Since then, Berry has continued to pick up game time playing against a series of household names.
This week the former Manchester United talent scored his first ever career goal to help Al Kholood knock Al-Ittihad out of the King’s Cup semi-finals.
Berry scored an extra-time goal to force a 2-2 draw and penalties, where his side won 5-4.
Remarkably, Berry scored just one minute after coming off the bench, unleashing a strike from just outside the box, across the goalkeeper into the far corner.
The victory was a major upset, with Al-Ittihad’s side packed with names who have played in Europe’s top leagues.
Fabinho, Youssef En-Nesyri, Moussa Diaby, Steven Bergwijn, Houssem Aouar, all started the game for Al-Ittihad, along with Roger Fernandes, a young Portuguese talent who was linked with Manchester United in 2025.
Adam Berry’s 111th minute goal cancelled out Steven Bergwijn’s 96th minute strike that looked to have set Al-Ittihad on course for an extra-time win. His equaliser allowed Al Kholood to upstage their stars and pull off a major upset
He posted on Instagram: “Special night, onto the final!!!”
Former United teammates Ethan Wheatley, Ruben Curley, Jack Kingdon and James Nolan all reached out to congratulate him.
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King’s Cup Final details
It is the first ever time that Al Kholood have reached the King’s Cup Final. Adam Berry’s side will face Al-Hilal.
The final will take place on May 30, so there is plenty of time for Berry to try and force his way into a starter’s role.
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