Dion McGhee is generating interest from clubs in the Premier League, Scottish Premiership and the Netherlands ahead of his official release by Manchester United next week.
The MEN revealed last week McGhee, 19, will leave United upon the expiration of his contract on June 30 and the academy graduate also tweeted a farewell post.
Sources close to McGhee have told the MEN West Ham United, Rangers, and AZ Alkmaar are the 'frontrunners' to sign the Oldham-born forward. AZ were second to Ajax only on goal difference at the time the Eredivisie was cancelled because of the coronavirus.
McGhee has been at United since he was seven and accepted he was too far down the pecking order to get first-team football at the club. McGhee started in six of the Under-23s' 18 Premier League 2 fixtures this season and was in the same FA Youth Cup squad as Mason Greenwood and James Garner.
"Since the age of six, all I’ve known is Manchester United," McGhee said. "I’ve gone through the youth ranks and learned a lot within the academy.
"I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone at Manchester United Football Club, staff, players, coaches, managers and the fans who have helped and influenced me to become the player I am today.
"I’m excited at the new opportunities coming up and I’m ready for the next challenge. Thank you all! Once a red, always a red."
Juan Mata replied to McGhee by saying: "All the best my friend! Keep going."
United are expected to publish their released and retained list later this week, with a host of academy graduates due to be let go. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Demetri Mitchell, Ethan Hamilton, and George Tanner are all expected to depart.
Borthwick-Jackson and Mitchell, both 23, were discovered by United at the Fletcher Moss junior team that Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard played for. Borthwick-Jackson was given his debut against West Bromwich Albion in November 2015 and played 14 times under Louis van Gaal, before agreeing a long-term deal four days after Jose Mourinho was installed as the United manager in May 2016.
Mitchell was an unused substitute against Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton in May 2017 prior to his full debut in the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace. The Mancunian was included in both of Mourinho's pre-season tour squads of the United States.
Tanner, 20, has been on loan at Morecambe and Salford City in League Two this season while Hamilton, 21, was loaned to Southend United and Bolton Wanderers in League One.
Hamilton was named on the United bench by Mourinho for the FA Cup fifth round win over Huddersfield in 2018.
