Mbete released as free agent after City exit, Carrington joins Everton and derby postponed

Luke Mbete has left Manchester City as a free agent, the club confirmed, ending a decade-long association that began when he joined the academy as an under-12. The 22-year-old centre-back struggled with persistent injuries last season and departs without a fee, free to sign for a new club.

Mbete made his first-team debut in October 2021, featuring in a 6-1 Carabao Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers, and went on to gain senior experience through loan spells at Huddersfield Town, Bolton Wanderers, Dutch side Den Bosch and Northampton Town. Despite those opportunities, he was unable to establish himself as a regular option and City have now moved on.

Also involved in that Wycombe cup tie was Josh Wilson-Esbrand, who remains at the Etihad but has been left off City’s Premier League registered squad, meaning he will spend the season with the Under-21s. The 23-year-old left-back is in the final year of his contract and has had loan spells at Coventry City, Reims, Cardiff City, Stoke City and Polish side Radomiak Radom since arriving from West Ham in 2019. With the transfer window still open in several countries, including Poland, a permanent departure before the deadline has not been ruled out.

Everton have moved quickly to snap up Ezra Carrington, another City academy graduate released in the summer. The 20-year-old right-back, who joined City at the age of 11, has signed a one-year contract with the Toffees after spending several weeks training with the club. He is expected to be a regular presence in Everton’s Under-21 side in Premier League 2 this season.

At Under-21 level, the eagerly anticipated Manchester derby has been postponed. City and United had been scheduled to meet at the Joie Stadium on Saturday, 12 September in Premier League 2, just hours before the senior sides face each other at Old Trafford. However, the fixture has been called off due to UEFA Youth League scheduling conflicts. City’s Under-21s face Porto on Tuesday, while United’s academy side take on Sabah FC on Thursday — leaving insufficient turnaround time for both squads to contest a league fixture at the weekend. The derby will be rearranged for a later date.