Manchester United academy players always face a tough road to stardom and three players appear to be moving on.
The end of the season is now in sight and that means a transfer window is looming large.
Manchester United have a much bigger priority right now, with Ruben Amorim chasing a spot in the Champions League.
United’s Premier League season has been dreadful, but the Europa League could bring huge success.
United beat Athletic Club 3-0 last week and have one foot in the final against Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt.
Ineos have plenty of work to do in the transfer market, but this time of year also brings departures – especially from the youth setup.
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty ImagesThree Manchester United talents to leave Old Trafford
Sadly, not everybody can be Kobbie Mainoo and emerge from the youth setup straight into the first-team picture.
Others have to go out on loan for first-team experience, or even leave United to test themselves elsewhere.
Manchester World now claim that United have decided to release three players from the academy setup.
Jack Kingdon, Sam Murray and James Nolan are all moving on as their contracts expire this summer.
United have taken the decision that the trio are not at the level required to impact the first-team squad, and all three need game time away from Old Trafford.
Left back Murray joined United from Huddersfield Town in 2017 and spent time on loan at Rochdale in 2024.
A regular in United’s Premier League 2 campaign, the 20-year-old will now move on.
Nolan is currently on loan at Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he has played 30 league games this season.
Nolan trained with United’s first team under Erik ten Hag but won’t have his contract renewed under Ruben Amorim.
Jack Kingdon exit the biggest surprise
Centre back Kingdon is possibly the biggest shock here, with the 19-year-old set to move on.
Kingdon is currently on loan at Rochdale, where he has made 15 appearances in the National League.
Intriguingly, Kingdon trained with Lausanne-Sport – another Ineos club – earlier this year, joining Habeeb Ogunneye and Ethan Williams on the trip.
Kingdon had high hopes for pre-season at United just last month, believing that his experience of playing in a back three at Rochdale would stand him in good stead with Amorim.
Kingdon talked about going out on loan again if he wasn’t ready for United, but will instead find himself as a free agent.
The 19-year-old is bound to attract interest and will hope to bounce back from United letting him go despite being a regular in the development ranks.