Man Utd’s 2022 FA Youth Cup winners now – transfers, FA Cup glory, goal machine released

Manchester United's class of '22 went down in club history after they won the FA Youth Cup two years ago – but where are those that lifted the trophy today?

It was back in May 2022 when United's Under-18s were crowned FA Youth Cup champions for a record 11th time by beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 at a sold-out Old Trafford. The Red Devils' victory in the competition was their first since 2011 when the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison all featured.

While some have gone on to become household names in the Premier League, and even for England, there are several stars who have gone on to pastures new – including a promising young Norwegian and a 600-goal striker. Over 67,000 supporters were there in 2022 to watch the youngsters beat Forest, and many of them will be wondering just what has happened to those who played in that supremely talented young United side.

Mirror Sport has looked into where those youngsters are now.

Radek Vitek – Goalkeeper

The 20 year-old Czech goalkeeper joined United in 2020 from Sigma Olomouchas and played in every game in the cup run, making several impressive saves along the way. The shot-stopper was also United’s number one in the 2021/22 UEFA Youth League campaign. He also played for the Under-23s in April’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Vitek spent the second half of the 23/24 season on loan at Accrington Stanley and received a call up to the Czech U20’s back in March.

Marc Jurado – Right-back

Arriving at United at the same time as Alvaro Fernandez and Alejandro Garnacho from Barcelona, Jurado has featured in pre-season for Erik Ten Hag. However, the young Spaniard wanted to move back home and so made the switch to Espanyol for the 2023/2024 season.

Rhys Bennett plays for United in pre-season back in 2023

Rhys Bennett – Centre-back

Bennett was captain on the night United lifted the FA Youth Cup and scored in the game. The young defender signed a professional contract with Ten Hag’s side in July 2023 and spent the first half of the 23/24 season playing for United’s academy in Premier League 2 before joining Stockport on loan in January.

Louis Jackson – Centre-back

18-year-old Jackson regularly featured for United's Under-18s in 2023/24, as the young Reds won the Under-18 Premier League North title. He earned his first senior call-up when he was named on the substitutes' bench for the FA cup semi-final against Coventry City at Wembley Stadium and represents Scotland Under-17s at international level.

Sam Murray – Left-back

Murray signed a professional contract at United in May 2023. The 19 year-old left back has continued his development in United’s youth ranks this season, being a constant figure in the Premier League 2 for United.

The attacking full-back joined from Huddersfield Town at U15 level, played in all of the side’s games in the run to the 2022 FA Youth Cup final and has made the most appearances for that age group this season.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Dan Gore of Manchester United in action with David Ozoh of Crystal Palace during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on September 26, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images,)

Dan Gore – Centre-midfield

Gore has spent time with the Under-19’s in the UEFA Youth League, the Under-21’s and in September 2023, came off the bench to make his senior debut in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace.

He then followed that up with his first Premier League appearance, as a substitute in United's 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford in December 2023. He was then loaned to Port Vale but only managed one league game in an injury plagued spell.

Kobbie Mainoo – Centre-midfield

Mainoo has been one of the major breakout stars from the cup winning team. The young midfielder has racked up a host of Champions league appearances, 24 Premier league games, a goal in the FA cup final, where he helped United lift the cup, and even a call up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024.

Kobbie Mainoo playing for England v Iceland

Sam Mather – Right-wing

Mather scored twice at Old Trafford in the Under-18s’ run to the FA Youth Cup final against Scunthorpe United and Everton. An England youth international at U18 level, Mather made an Under-21s United debut in August 2021 in the EFL Trophy and spent part of the 23/24 season on loan at Rochdale, with 10 appearances and two goals.

Isak Hansen Aaroen – Attacking-midfield

Despite being a firm fan favourite, Isak Hansen Aaroen, who signed a professional deal with United in August 2021, made a permanent switch to Germany and joined Werder Bremen in February of this year. The young Norwegian has so far registered three appearances for Bremen and currently represents Norway Under-21s.

Alejandro Garnacho – Left-wing

Alejandro Garnacho scored a wonder goal for United

A huge revelation Erik Ten Hag’s side, with 36 PL games played this season, six Champions league appearances, as well as one of the best Premier League goals of all time under his belt - that stunning overhead kick against Everton. The 19 year-old Argentinian also scored in the FA Cup final and has made five appearances already for his national side.

Charlie McNeill – Striker

The prolific goal-getter scored an incredible 600 goals for United's rivals Manchester City at youth level, before getting a move to his boyhood club where he continued his sensational goalscoring form.

McNeill netted 24 goals in 21 games in his first season with the United's Under-18s and even made his debut for United's first team as a substitute in the UEFA Europa League match against Real Sociedad in September 2022. However, after loans to Newport and Stevenage over the last two seasons, McNeill has now left United to seek opportunities elsewhere, having been released.

Charlie McNeill

Subs:

Joe Hugill – Hugill has continued his development and featured for Erik ten Hag in pre-season last year. The striker has continued to line up for United’s Under-21’s with seven goals in nine games, before a loan switch to Burton Albion.

Sonny Aljofree – The 19 year-old has been an important figure in the youth ranks since the final.

Ethan Ennis – The highly rated youngster spent the majority of this season injured, but is now back and eyeing a breakthrough season at United. He scored several goal of the month contenders and was featured on the Guardian's list of best talents in the Premier League.

Omari Forson – The young Englishman was highly rated by United and even made four appearances for the first team. However following the expiration of his contract with United, Forson joined Serie A side Monza on a free transfer in June 2024.

Maxi Oyedele - The 19-year-old midfielder joined the Manchester United Academy aged eight from Burnley, impressing through the youth ranks. In January 2024, Oyedele joined League Two club Forest Green Rovers on loan until the end of the season and featured four times.

Tom Wooster - The goalkeeper joined from Barnsley in 2021 and was named Academy Player of the Season in his last season at his former club and spent the 2021/22 campaign playing semi-regularly for United’s Under-18s. He also spent time on a work experience loan with Bradford City, playing games for the Bantams’ U19s while still training at United. Wooster helped Bradford to become EFL Youth Alliance North East champions.

He was also part of the travelling party for United's final pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao in August 2023.

Logan Pye - Pye left United at the beginning of the 2023 season to join Burnley on a permanent deal.

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