These three unbelievable academy starlets will be fast-tracked to United’s first team next season – opinion

With the 2024/25 season in the history books, we take a look back on the standout performers for Manchester United’s u18s during the year.

For an in-depth review of how United’s u18s fared this season, click here.

With a side as talented as Adam Lawrence’s group and who performed so well throughout the season, it is hard not to mention the whole squad, but we have narrowed it down to three stars who particularly made their mark in the u18s this season.

Tyler Fletcher

We start off with Tyler Fletcher, the engine in the midfield, Fletcher was an ever present for the u18s and even captained the side at times.

An all-action midfielder with some similarities to his father Darren Fletcher, young Tyler was key to United in both defensive and attacking areas.

After struggling with injuries throughout most of the 2023/24 season, Tyler Fletcher stayed injury free this year which really allowed him to hit a rich vein of form.

Versatile enough to play across the midfield, Fletcher has played as a 6 with regularity but it is with the added freedom in the 8 position where he really shines.

Fletcher’s creativity on the ball saw him finish the season on top of the assists charts for the u18s with 12.

It wasn’t just in the u18s though, his breakthrough into the u21s in the latter stages of the season also saw him tied for the most assists alongside Sam Mather, Dan Gore, and Jack Moorhouse, all with four assists.

The 18 year old also got on the scoresheet himself on occasion, scoring twice for the u18s and three times for the u21s.

It isn’t just his attacking output which sees him impress though. Often tasked with collecting the ball from the backline, Fletcher is comfortable under pressure and able to break the lines with quick one-touch passing.

With his tall and slender frame, operating in deeper positions has seen him likened to United legend Michael Carrick, who himself started his career in more attacking midfield roles.

Fletcher’s seamless transition to u21s football also bodes well for his future ability to step up to the senior game.

The increased tempo and physicality of u21s football often requires a bedding-in period for young players but Fletcher’s engine has allowed him to continue to eat up the ground even at a higher level.

The Scotland youth international’s impressive season was rewarded in the end with a call-up from Ruben Amorim for the post-season Asia tour and it will not be surprising if he is on the plane to the USA for the pre-season tour as well to bolster midfielder options.

Jaydan Kamason

The next standout for the u18s was another who featured on the post-season Asia tour and gained recognition from Amorim when he was named on the bench for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Europa League.

Kamason’s energetic game from right-back was hard to ignore throughout the season with arguably his best performance coming on the biggest stage at the Emirates in the FA Youth Cup.

Finishing the season with three goals and seven assists for the u18s, his most memorable goal will certainly be a wonder strike from the right side of the box. The goal sent United into extra-time away to Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals, which ultimately saw United advance.

Stellar performances at the u18s level saw him often called up to the u21s, where he made 14 appearances throughout the season.

An attacking full-back, Kamason wreaks havoc with his direct running going forward and his ability to spin away from challenges.

The 18 year old’s tenaciousness isn’t seen just in attack though as he covers well defensively with top speed and displayed a few Aaron Wan-Bissaka-esque sliding tackles throughout the season.

With his experience coming mainly as a conventional full-back, Kamason’s ability to beat a man and get to the byline for a pullback suggests he could slot into Amorim’s wing-back role comfortably.

Kamason’s energy and physical prowess combined with his talent make him a talent Amorim will surely be keeping a close eye on.

Gabriele Biancheri

The last but certainly not least on our list is Gabriele Biancheri, a fox in the box goal machine who finished the season with 25 goals in all competitions across the u18s and u21s.

Despite his stellar season, Biancheri has yet to be called up for a senior matchday squad and wasn’t involved in the post-season Asia tour.

But while many youngsters were gaining experience in Asia, Biancheri was picking up senior experience elsewhere.

The 18 year old started the summer break training with the Wales senior national team under Craig Bellamy.

The youngster then shocked Wales fans by accepting an invitation from Jesse Marsch’s Canada to train with them during the 2025 Canadian Shield, who he qualifies for through his mother, a Calgary native.

Requiring a one-time switch to be filed with FIFA, Biancheri was unable to be named in Canada’s squad for the matches as he continues to consider his options, which also include Italy.

But he was involved in match preparations and with the team as Canada lifted the trophy ahead of Ukraine, Ivory Coast, and New Zealand.

At club level, Biancheri was key to the success of both the u18s and u21s season with his goalscoring. His importance was perhaps more evident as both sides dipped in form in February while Biancheri recovered from a broken hand.

Despite his smaller stature, Biancheri’s displays great strength on the ball with clever hold up play which brings other attackers into the action around the box.

Rarely taking many touches on the ball, Biancheri acts quickly with either a layoff to a teammate or a quick finish in the box, exemplifying his reading of the game and ability to be two steps ahead of the defender.

A style of play reminiscent to United cult-hero Chicharito, Biancheri offers many of the tools United have been missing at first team level.

The striker’s plans for next season are unclear yet though. He said earlier this month “I just take everything as it comes. If that’s going on loan and learning and getting experience playing men’s football, I’ll take it. If that’s getting a chance with the first team and playing Under-21s and earning my shot, that’s what I’ll do.”

Whether it will be on loan or Biancheri is given a chance by Amorim next season, it is certain that his performances in the past year have impressed those both inside the club and out.

All three players are expected to be included in United’s pre-season tour party and all are in with an excellent chance of being fast-tracked into senior action if they impress Amorim in the USA.

Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images

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