Manchester United Women's Under-21s make Carrington move in youth push

Manchester United Women's Under-21 side will train at Carrington Training Complex this season, ending their previous arrangement at Leigh Sports Village. The move marks a landmark shift for the club's youth development pathway.

The Under-21 group have trained at Leigh Sports Village, 15 miles from Carrington, since their inception. Their relocation coincides with the senior squad's return to the £7m facility at Carrington in August 2025 following a £50m upgrade. The upgrade included state-of-the-art equipment and expanded capacity.

Club officials describe the relocation as a commitment to youth development and closer integration with the first team. The Under-21s' integration at Carrington is intended to provide access to elite facilities and expertise. This addresses past criticism over investment priorities in Marc Skinner's senior squad.

Matt Johnson, Manchester United's director of women's football, emphasised the significance of embedding the Under-21s at Carrington Training Complex. He framed the move as a milestone in the evolution of Manchester United Women.

"Embedding our Under21s squad at Carrington Training Complex is another significant milestone in the evolution of Manchester United Women," Johnson said. "Providing our players with an elite environment, surrounded by the highest standard of facilities and expertise, reflects our ambition and vision for the Academy and is a further sign of the importance that we are placing on our commitment to developing outstanding homegrown talent."

Johnson added: "The increased alignment with our first-team operations will optimise performance and serve as a significant source of motivation for our young players."

Last season, Manchester United Women's Under-21s finished fourth in the Under-21 table behind Arsenal. They won the Professional Game Academy Plate by defeating Durham in the final.