'That is utopia' - Manchester United plotting first-team debuts after historic academy season

Manchester United's academy building at Carrington is currently a hive of activity.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's project to renovate the main building, which is costing £50million, began in June and the senior players are sharing the youth building while construction is ongoing.

There is a tangible buzz around the academy building and the Manchester Evening News were recently invited through its doors to speak with Under-21 manager Travis Binnion.

Binnion has been generous with his time since taking charge of the U21s and discussed the likes of Toby Collyer, Ethan Wheatley, Harry Amass, and how INEOS have impacted the academy during the interview, which was ahead of the youngsters' game against Barnsley in the EFL Trophy.

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"Over the last year, those two players you mentioned, Amass and Wheatley, have progressed a lot, a hell of a lot," Binnion said. "Ethan Wheatley in particular has turned into a real eye-catching centre forward and his profile is one that managers like because he’s lean, quick and tall.

"If you drew a No.9, you’d draw him looking like Ethan, but his game has come on leaps and bounds, so knowing where to run and his link-up play has improved, and being in better positions.

"He’s spent around 12 to 13 weeks consistently training with the first-team, just like Harry, and I think within that environment, particularly when you’re having to play like they did in pre-season, you’re able to learn quicker. The good players always do in that situation.

"Equally, if you find it hard in that environment, it can be an unforgiving place to be because the level is possibly too high