Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
Premier League rules state that Manchester United must have no more than 17 players who do not fulfil the ‘homegrown’ criteria.
Manchester United will soon have to register the full first-team squad for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Michael Carrick has added Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Tynan Thompson and Karl Darlow to his squad ahead of the new campaign.
As per Premier League regulations, within a 25-man squad, there cannot be more than 17 players who are not ‘homegrown’. The rest of the squad can be made up of homegrown players.
Manchester United v Atletico de Madrid - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Who are Man United’s ‘homegrown’ players?
Firstly, let’s define what the ‘homegrown’ criteria is within the Premier League:
Homegrown: A player who, irrespective of nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to The Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons, or 36 months, before his 21st birthday
Under-21s players are not required to be registered and therefore don’t take up a spot in the 25-man squad. In 2026/27, Under-21s are players who were born on or after 1 January 2005.
Man United’s nine homegrown players:
Amad Diallo
Tom Heaton
Harry Maguire
Dermot Mee
Mason Mount
Luke Shaw
Karl Darlow
Marcus Rashford
Kobbie Mainoo
Toby Collyer could also join that list as a 22-year-old if he is kept in the first-team squad, although another loan or transfer looks likely this summer.
The likes of Shea Lacey, Ayden Heaven and Harry Amass all qualify under the Under-21s rule and won’t take up a squad spot in 2026/27.
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Man United’s homegrown duo entering the final year of their contract
Heading into 2026/27, both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are entering the final year of their United contracts.
Maguire signed a contract extension last season that runs until 2027, although the club do have an option to extend for a further year.
READ MORE: Gary Neville makes new Luke Shaw prediction for 2026/27 season after Man Utd star’s impact vs Liverpool
But Shaw’s contract expires in 2027 and there is no option to extend, so Ineos face a big decision around whether or not to keep the 31-year-old on the books next summer.
United have plenty of homegrown talent coming through the academy ranks, though.