Manchester United have put on hold any plans to build an on-site mini-stadium for the club’s youth teams as part of its academy overhaul.
The executive reviewed whether to construct a facility similar to the 7,000-seat arena Manchester City have at their City Football Academy site for their junior teams but have decided against doing so for the time being.
United’s youth sides do not have a dedicated home in which to play. On Monday evening the Under-21s will play Oldham Athletic in the Manchester Senior Cup behind closed doors at the Aon Training Complex. On occasion, they also play at Old Trafford and the Leigh Sports Centre.
In recent seasons Altrincham’s Moss Lane, the AJ Bell Stadium, home of the Salford Red Devils rugby league side, Northwich Victoria’s stadium and Hyde United’s Ewen Fields have housed the side.
Nicky Butt was recently appointed as the club’s academy head after an 11-month search for a successor to Brian McClair and described his new role as a “big challenge”. Despite Louis van Gaal giving 14 home-reared players their debut since he became manager in summer 2014, including five in a week at the end of last month, Butt has problems further down the youth structure.
The Under-18s lost 13 of 14 games between early October and late January and there is a further concern regarding scouting and recruitment, with some of the area’s better youngsters choosing City over United.
