Reds ensure leaving their academy is not The end for players

THE end of a season brings with it the hope of new beginnings, but for many, it also means a farewell.

United confirmed 11 players would not be part of their plans next season when their retained list was published last Friday afternoon.

The headline names were the star players who have already achieved so much in the game. Paul Pogba and

Juan Mata are both World Cup winners and will look back on successful careers no matter what their next step might be.

At the other end of the spectrum is a host of youngsters whose United journeys have come to an end, but leaving Old Trafford is by no means the end of their dreams.

No team in English football has produced more players currently plying their trade in the Football

League system than United, and although those released this summer might not go on to play for the Reds, any eventual success they do have will be valued just as much by the coaches who have nurtured their talents.

It is testament to the club’s academy system that Connor Stanley already has his next step lined up, with the 20-year-old winger set to join a north west side in the Football League.

D’Mani Mellor and Reece Devine are attracting interest from EFL sides themselves.

United are keen to ensure they are not stockpiling players for the sake of it but still demonstrate ethically healthy practice in comparison to the amount being released at academy level by other clubs.

The harsh reality is some players have simply come to the end of their journey at Old Trafford and need to pursue careers elsewhere in order to

let the latest crop of youngsters come through in their place.

United are committed to supporting any player who is released from the club, something which has been demonstrated already with the support they have shown goalkeeper Paul Woolston when he was forced to retire aged just 23 in March.

The Reds gave him a one-year contract extension to ensure the would be with the club throughout the whole of his rehabilitation process and have supported him with his coaching badges.

They also provided a tailored career programme to ensure a smooth transition out of playing professional football, which included regular mentoring sessions with staff and firstteam players, work experience within the club and externally, and informal education that covered financial planning, property development, mental health and languages.