‘Brexit puts club at disadvantage’

UNITED’S head of academy Nick Cox says English clubs will be at a disadvantage due to new Brexit rules on transfers.

Strict new rules on signing players from overseas will be implemented on January 1, with a points-based system coming into force.

Players will also have to be at least 18 years old, meaning clubs will no longer be able to nurture foreign teenage talent.

That means an end to the current rules, which allows English clubs to sign overseas players from the age of 16.

With United’s current under-18 squad containing nine players born outside the UK - including EUR10million former Monaco starlet Hannibal Mejbri - Cox told the BBC that the rules will put English clubs at a disadvantage.

“We wish there was a level playing field but there won’t be,” Cox said.

“It probably puts us at a disadvantage to other European clubs.

“There will be movement of players between clubs in other European countries but they won’t be able to move to our club at the age of 16, as they currently can.” Clubs will have ways of circumnavigating the rules by forming partnerships with overseas clubs, such as United’s previous relationship with Belgium side Royal Antwerp.

Cox has not said whether there will be similar partnerships formed in order to get the best young talent to Old Trafford but he says United will not stand aside in the transfer market.

“We do not want to break the rules but there will be a number of strategies we believe we can execute within the rules that will help us to continue to uphold the traditions of youth development within our football club.”