REUTERS/Scott Heppell
When you mention the best academies in world football, Manchester United is often a club which frequently appears at the very top of such a category.
Countless elite-level talents have emerged through the youth system and made their mark at Old Trafford, with Marcus Rashford one of the greatest examples in recent history.
The 28-year-old has amassed over 400 appearances for his boyhood club, subsequently sitting 13th in the Red Devils’ all-time goalscoring charts at present.
REUTERS/Jon Super
He’s undoubtedly been a huge asset for the club over the last decade, but who could be the next big-name to follow in his footsteps and make the jump to the senior game?
How Man Utd can unearth the next Rashford under Michael Carrick
The obvious name that springs to mind in making a mark in the first-team in the years ahead is 15-year-old attacker JJ Gabriel, who has produced performances way beyond his tender age.
He’s been a constant figure in the Red Devils U18 squad in recent times, even netting 23 goals in as many appearances last season - the most of any player in the squad.
JJ-Gabriel-Man-Utd-Youth-Cup
Gabriel has already featured for Michael Carrick’s side in pre-season this summer, which could suggest he’s getting closer to making his senior appearance for the club.
Wayne Rooney’s son Kai could also be another player who could make the step up in the years ahead, with the 16-year-old also starring alongside Gabriel in the U18 setup of late.
||
Most goals scored for Man Utd's U18s (2025/26)
Player
JJ Gabriel
Louie Bradbury
Noah Ajayi
Jim Thwaites
Jay McEvoy
Amir Ibragimov
Bendito Mantato
Douka Abdoulaye
The teenager, who’s primarily a right-winger, could emulate his father in being a hit in Old Trafford and could ironically be a part of the next squad to win the title after the last triumph, which included his dad.
Tynan Thompson is another who could well find himself on the fringes of Carrick’s squad this term, after joining the Red Devils from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £4m this summer.
At 19, he’s undoubtedly in a better place to make an impact than the aforementioned talents, subsequently laying on two assists in his first two appearances for the U21 side since his summer move.
Yet, while those already at Carrington fight to prove their worth, perhaps United have just signed their next Rashford in an un expected deal.
Other clubs in the Premier League have spent big to improve the left-wing position this summer, as seen with bigger rivals Liverpool, who spent £123m on the signature of Bradley Barcola.
France's Bradley Barcola scores their second goal
The former PSG star, who’s a back-to-back Champions League winner, will no doubt add further quality to the Reds’ frontline in their own hunt for Premier League success.
After such a move, the United supporters will be somewhat disappointed by the lack of investment in the attacking department, with the majority of the funds going into the midfield.
However, it appears as though Barcola’s move has played into the hands of the Red Devils, who have agreed a deal with Andoni Iraola’s men for the signature of 16-year-old winger Isaac Konde.
It was confirmed by Fabrizio Romano earlier this week that Carrick’s men had reached an agreement with the Reds over a deal to secure the youngster’s long-term future.
Whilst he may be an unknown quantity to many of the supporters in Manchester, the teenager has already gained a reputation for being a top talent for the future.
The youngster made six appearances for Liverpool’s U18 last campaign, failing to get himself on the scoresheet, but did manage to provide a couple of assists.
Konde is capable of featuring off either flank in the final third and has become known for his tremendous direct dribbling ability and his relentless speed.
Such a skillset could see him become a key member of the senior ranks in the near future, which could see him put Rashford’s starting role in jeopardy and emulate the levels produced by Barcola.
PSG winger Bradley Barcola
Journalist Alex Young has also heaped praise on the soon-to-be United attacker, claiming that he’s “one of the brightest young talents in Liverpool’s academy.”
He will undoubtedly need time to adapt to life in Manchester upon any move, but there’s no reason why Konde can’t be a key first-team regular in the years ahead.
He would emulate Rashford in making his mark at Old Trafford off the left-hand side of the attack, but the 16-year-old will have his eyes set on replacing his compatriot.
As for Konde, he will have his ambitions set on becoming an elite-level attacker, just like Barcola, which could see INEOS pull off a remarkable move for a top young prospect.
Fred-Manchester-United-Transfer