Study backs up United's Academy success

In addition to fielding five homegrown starters in the opening game of 2019/20 at the weekend, Manchester United led the way in terms of Academy players appearing in the Premier League last season.

The Reds not only gave the most minutes to homegrown talent, shared between nine graduates, but also had 20 players who finished playing youth football at the club featuring in the 2018/19 top flight.

PA Sport’s extensive research showed United’s youngsters amassed 9,334 minutes in the first team, well clear of second-placed Tottenham and West Ham United in third spot. Paul Pogba topped our list with 3,245 minutes, with Marcus Rashford next on 2,494 and homegrown players accounting for some 23 per cent of our total league playing time.

“These are amazing statistics that tell you everything you need to know about Manchester United,” commented Head of Academy Nick Cox to MUTV. “I think it kind of just confirms what we already knew. We've got more boys playing in our team than any other club in the Premier League and also boys playing across the country as well, at various clubs.

”It's no secret. Opportunity is the ingredient that sets fire to talent and it's the ingredient, traditionally, we've always had and are striving to continue to have. It's what sets us aside and gives everybody the fuel to the fire. It gives the boys and the staff real belief we're here for a purpose and here for reason.“

Playing time given to footballers from a club’s own Academy 2018/19:

1. UNITED 9,334 minutes (9 players)
2. Tottenham 6,887 minutes (6 players)
3. West Ham 6,771 minutes (5 players)
4. Crystal Palace 6,602 minutes (3 players)
5. Southampton 5,866 minutes (9 players)

In terms of the overall picture, United graduates played more than 27,000 minutes in the division last term, almost 10,000 more than any of our rivals.

Spurs were again second with Southampton in third, with United left-back Luke Shaw obviously one of their successful youth products.

Total playing time for footballers from Academy clubs in 2018/19:

1. UNITED 27,395 minutes (20 players)
2. Tottenham 17,903 minutes (13 players)
3. Southampton 15,964 minutes (16 players)
4. Chelsea 15,870 minutes (9 players)
5. Manchester City 13,605 minutes (8 players)


The Reds’ figure in this area is boosted by players who have moved elsewhere and still enjoyed a fruitful career, such as Bournemouth striker Joshua King and Everton centre-back Michael Keane.

PA Sport described United as the “leading developers of Premier League talent” after the club topped the standings for a third successive year.