Manchester United fans may be forced to witness the departure of their academy students such as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
Supporters of the English giants will certainly be hoping that Dan Ashworth is proven wrong in his declaration that the era of the one-clubman will be a thing of the past. With generations of world-class players on the pitch over the years, much of United's greatest talent has been formed at the club itself.
The Premier League giants are the proud owners of a simply staggering 87-year-old record, which shows how deeply ingrained the importance of the academy is within the club. Starting with a 1-0 defeat to Fulham in October 1937, United have named at least one homegrown player within their matchday squad – a record that stands to this day and shows no signs of ending anytime soon.
That may have been true at the start of the season, but new developments mean the near-century-long record could end with the possible departure of United's own Mainoo and Garnacho.
While the duo have established themselves as key members of the team despite their age, a future away from Old Trafford could well be a possibility. According to Manchester Evening News, England star Mainoo is unhappy with the initial terms United have offered him for a potential new contract.
The 19-year-old was reportedly part of a four-man group that United deemed unsellable last summer, along with Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana. Although United sources have said they do not want Mainoo to leave the club, the midfielder has been strongly linked with Chelsea due to the reported contract dispute.
The club has recently had problems with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules. Their struggles resulted in the decision to sell several academy graduates, such as Scott McTominay, to Napoli to ease the pressure on their financial status.
Ashworth – who left his role as the club's sporting director in December after just five months – said in September: 'The number of players who will be one-club players there for a long, long period, I think it will probably be within the club change. the game and that is an unintended consequence of the rules and regulations.”
Since the sale of academy players represents a pure profit, the club may consider parting ways with Mainoo and Garnacho to strengthen their PSR position. The latter, who joined from Atletico Madrid at the age of 16, is reportedly open to an exit after seeing his minutes cut under Ruben Amorim.
While a potential sale of the pair could lead to a revolt among United fans given the relationship they have with players who have come through the United system, there is no escaping the fact that the club will need to sell players to get Amorim to be able to maintain. to officially make his mark at Old Trafford with his own signings.
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