Where are they now? The last 10 Man Utd academy grads SAF gave debuts

Sir Alex Ferguson was lauded for giving first-team opportunities to Manchester United’s academy graduates – and he continued to do so right up until the end of his reign.

Fergie helped maintain a tradition of United including an academy graduate in every matchday squad dating back to 1938.

We’ve taken a look back at the last 10 players from the academy he handed senior debuts. It’s fair to say it’s a mixed bag.

When Tunnicliffe came off the bench to make his senior United debut against Newcastle in the League Cup in September 2012, the midfielder earned his dad £10,000.

His dad had placed a £100 bet on his son appearing for Manchester United when Tunnicliffe Jr was just nine, and we can’t help but think the odds of 100-1 were a little bit tight from the bookies in question.

But it was one of only two appearances Tunnicliffe made for the senior squad before dropping down to the Championship with permanent spells at Fulham, Millwall and Luton Town. Since 2021, he’s been playing for Portsmouth in League One.

READ: 5 footballers whose families placed long-term bets on their success

Wootton made the contentious switch from Liverpool’s academy to Manchester United’s as a teenager, making his first-team debut in that 2-1 League Cup victory over Newcastle.

The defender made just three more appearances for the Red Devils, notably conceding an injury-time penalty which was converted by Eden Hazard to send a League Cup tie at Stamford Bridge to extra-time, with Chelsea eventually running out 5-4 victors in a crazy game.

An underwhelming spell at Leeds followed, and the 28-year-old now plays in Australia’s A-League with Wellington Phoenix.

The third of four debutants from that Newcastle game, it may have been Brady’s only run-out