5 Players Who Went Abroad to the Manchester United Academy!

After enjoying unprecedented success at Manchester United for more than a decade, the Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo, at 37 years of age, has gone ahead to bash the players and management of Manchester United. But did you know that the Manchester United Academy is known to produce some of the greatest players of the game: Ryan Giggs, Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville, to name a few?

Moreover, they have helped at least one academy graduate to be named in the Premier League matchday squad in 4000+ consecutive games over an impressive span of 85 years. 

In fact, the academy also launched ‘A United Education’, a program that aids the education, growth, and development of its young players, both on-pitch and off-pitch. For players aged 9 to 21, the academy provides informal education that ranges from workshops to seminars to engagement with guest speakers. Many players benefit from this initiative that educates the players in all spheres of life. 

Given the positive impact of Manchester United Academy, many players from abroad have gone to the academy to establish a great trajectory in their careers. We delve into the topic and share with you 5 players who went abroad to Manchester United Academy. Scroll through to know more. 

1. Paul Pogba | French 

The twenty-nine-year-old player graduated from the Manchester United Academy and went ahead to win the UEFA Europa League with Manchester United. He made a record when he returned to the team with a fee of £94.50m (INR 900 crore), as a midfielder. He joined the youth academy of Manchester United in 2009 when he was just 16 years old. 

2. George Best | Irish 

One of the most gifted football players in the history of Manchester United was also one of the graduates of the Manchester United Academy. He was discovered by the club at the young age of 15. The way he scored a goal was spectacular and unparalleled by his contemporaries. He has two league titles to his name, as well as the European championship, with Manchester United acting as the club to transcend him to success. Moreover, George Best is the winner of Ballon d’Or in 1968, becoming only the third player from the team to do so. The “Belfast Boy” has been popular as well as successful. 

3. Darren Ferguson | Scottish 

With the role of a Central Midfielder, Darren Ferguson, who was born in Glasgow, has spent his youth career with Manchester United. Further, he has also won the Premier League title and the FA Charity Shield in 1993 with the club. He is also the son of Sir Alex Ferguson, who was the Board Member of Manchester United. 

4. Ryan Giggs | Welsh 

The man who was part of the Manchester United team in the year that established them in the world of football, Class of 92’, is Ryan Giggs. This player has shown incredible longevity as he became the record holder of numerous achievements. Moreover, he has had the most appearances in the Manchester United shirt. What’s more is that Giggs, apart from being one of the greatest and most popular football players to share his presence with Manchester United, is also the winner of 35 trophies with the club. The wide midfielder was only 17 years old when he got his first professional contract. 

5. Anthony Elanga | Swedish 

The youngest of the lot, Anthony Elanga is on his way to making his name in the game of football. At the mere age of 12, he joined the Manchester United youth system, and at the age of 20 went on to win the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year. Recently, he also scored his first UEFA Champions League goal against Atlético Madrid. His market value, in billions, has also increased with time. 

Names such as aforementioned, along with the leading players of all time, such as David Beckham, and Roy Keane, have all been from the Manchester United club. The Manchester United Academy has not only produced players of all time but continues to do so. 

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