Nowhere in the world like it – academy chiefs celebrate Man Utd pipeline

Manchester United academy chiefs Nick Cox and Travis Binnion believe a bright future lies ahead at a club where youth development is unlike anywhere else in the world.

There has now been at least one youth product in the Red Devils squad for a jaw-dropping 4,259 consecutive matches stretching back to 1937.

From Duncan Edwards, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best to Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, United have reaped the rewards of their focus on youth development.

The PA news agency’s research also found United’s academy produced the most playing time in the top flight as a whole, with 21 academy graduates making appearances totalling over 34,000 minutes.

The latter pair are among the young stars making an impact in the first team of a club that relied on homegrown players more than any other in this season’s Premier League.

United’s director of academy Cox told PA: “I’m really proud of the work we’re doing right now. I think we’ve got good players, we’ve got good coaches, good staff. I’m proud of where we’re at.

“But the pride is also in the fact that I think youth development means something more at Man United than it does at any other football club.

“That is like the weight of momentum from years and years of putting kids into the first team, and kids being at the heart of our greatest successes.

“There’s so much momentum behind it, there’s an obsession. The fans are obsessed with our young players, and I love that. I love that they’re interested in how our youth teams are doing and how the kids are progressing.

“I’ve got a pride in being part of that. There’s nowhere else in the world like it for youth development, I don’t think.”

Those sentiments are echoed by Binnion, United’s head of player development and