Manchester United Academy Players in Talks with Arsenal

Manchester United’s academy is bracing for more change, with two of its more seasoned youngsters edging towards the exit and into the sights of a direct Premier League rival.

Winger James Scanlon and full-back Habeeb Ogunneye are both in talks with Arsenal over potential moves, as the London club looks to strengthen its own development ranks with players who already have a taste of senior football.

Scanlon, 19, and Ogunneye, 20, each spent last season on loan in League Two, with Scanlon at Swindon and Ogunneye at Newport. Their game time was limited, but United staff believe both still carry significant upside and room to grow. That promise has clearly not gone unnoticed elsewhere.

Their situations stand out all the more because of what happened this summer. Michael Carrick named 15 academy players in his 25-man squad for United’s opening pre-season fixture against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July. Neither Scanlon nor Ogunneye made that cut.

Ogunneye did feature later in pre-season, starting for United’s Under-21s in a friendly against Altrincham on 31 July. Scanlon, who already has 24 caps for Gibraltar and played in May’s Premier League 2 play-off final defeat to Brighton, missed that match with a minor injury.

The pressure on places beneath the first team is intense, and the ripple effect is starting to show. Other United youngsters with extensive Under-21 experience and previous loan spells are also expected to assess their options, with further departures possible before the transfer deadline on 1 September.

United’s academy conveyor belt keeps moving. This time, it could be Arsenal waiting at the other end.