Manchester United have confirmed they will release nine players next week.
Academy graduates Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Demetri Mitchell, Ethan Hamilton, Dion McGhee, George Tanner, Aidan Barlow, Kieran O’Hara, Alex Fojticek and Largie Ramazani will be let go at the expiration of their contracts on June 30.
United have purposely not released any players aged under 19 as the academy was reluctant to let them go amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The majority of the departing players have been offered financial support until the end of August and invited back to the United training complex at Carrington for pre-season in order to maintain fitness.
United had offered Belgian youth international Ramazani, 19, a new deal but the forward demanded a higher wage that the club felt was excessive given his standing in the academy. Club sources have told the MEN United were unprepared to match the demands of a player who did not necessarily have a long-term future at the club and staff expect Ramazani to join a second division side in Spain.
Angel Gomes, 19, is out of contract next week and generating interest from clubs across Europe but has been offered a new deal. United would only be entitled to a compensation fee if Gomes moves on.
Goalkeeper O’Hara, 24, spent the last League One season on loan at Burton Albion and has attained two caps for the Republic of Ireland. O’Hara was on the bench in the 2-0 victory over Palace Mitchell started in.
Hamilton was named on the United bench by Mourinho for the FA Cup fifth round win over Huddersfield in 2018. McGhee, Barlow and Fojticek were never involved with the United first-team.
