Reds clarify Academy rules

Further to reports in today’s papers regarding the Club’s Academy programme, it would like to make the following statement:

Each year, Manchester United signs up to 30 boys aged nine for the Under 10s of its Academy in line with the rules that govern Premier League Academies.

The Club does not ordinarily discuss individuals within its academies and would not consider sanctioning media access to boys so young.

But it is important to address some issues that have arisen. The boy in question is English and resident within the allowable travelling distance of the Club, having resettled in the UK. The Club has at all times conducted itself in accordance with Academy rules.

All Academy students operate under the same conditions and the same discipline and application is expected of them.

Manchester United is proud of its history of developing talented young players and invests considerable time and resource into trying to find the best young players of the future.