Manchester United look to monetise academy to rival Chelsea and City's transfer income

Manchester United are overhauling their approach to player sales, placing greater emphasis on monetising academy talent as the club looks to close the financial gap on Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea.

The Red Devils have historically struggled to generate significant income from homegrown players, but Old Trafford chiefs are now actively seeking to change that. Goalkeeper Radek Vitek, 22, has already been sold to Middlesbrough in a deal rising to £14 million, despite an impressive loan spell at Bristol City last season. United inserted a 35 per cent sell-on clause and a buy-back option into the agreement — a sign of the more structured approach the club is taking to outgoing transfers.

Left-back Harry Amass, 19, could be next to depart, with a sale of roughly £7 million plus add-ons reportedly possible before the transfer window closes on 1 September. Midfielder Toby Collyer, 22, is also understood to be available.

The strategy mirrors one that has proved lucrative for City and Chelsea, both of whom have generated substantial sums from academy graduates in recent years. United acknowledge that their own conveyor belt of talent has slowed, and the new approach is designed to address both the club’s footballing and financial needs.

The moves may raise eyebrows among supporters given that manager Michael Carrick’s side face at least 48 matches this season after qualifying for the Champions League — a schedule that would typically demand squad depth rather than sales.

Carrick, however, has shown a willingness to integrate youth into his plans. His own son, Jacey, is a first-year scholar at the club, and the United manager is regularly seen watching academy fixtures at Carrington. Jacob Devaney, who captained the under-21 side last season before a loan spell at St Mirren, spoke in July about the impact of Carrick’s involvement.

“It’s really important,” Devaney said. “We speak about it as a group. It’s great to have Michael there at the games, and even when we were in training a week before the first-team, I think he was out at every session with the staff. It’s nice that he has knowledge of what you’re doing and he’s obviously not afraid to throw the youth in. He’s shown that last year.”