Does Manchester United run academy trials?
Carrington Training Centre · Carrington, Trafford · Checked 6 September 2026
No open trials, in the club's own FAQ. United says every player who comes in has first been assessed by one of its scouts, that Premier League rules limit numbers per age group, and that the way to be seen is to play for a good town, district or Sunday team where regional scouts watch. Below the academy sits a Pre-Academy for Under-7s and Under-8s that Rashford, Greenwood and McTominay all came through, with a family meeting before a child joins and four satellite hubs besides Carrington, all within an hour's drive.
Got a trial or a scout’s invitation? How to prepare your child →Practise decisions before the trial: free Look First game →
How recruitment works
Scout assessment first, then invitation for trial and assessment at Carrington. Pre-Academy for the youngest, by invitation.
- 01Scouted at town, district or Sunday league football
The club's stated route. A national network of regional scouts monitors competitive junior football and sends regular reports. Players of high potential are invited for trial and assessment.
Official page ↗ - 02Pre-Academy, Under-7 and Under-8
Scouted, unregistered groups preparing for Under-9 registration. A meeting with the child and family happens before joining. Runs at Carrington and four other hubs, everyone within an hour's drive.
Official page ↗ - 03Grassroots club visits and the Emerging Talent team
Local grassroots teams are invited into Carrington for sessions with academy coaches, and an Emerging Talent team works with grassroots and school coaches across age groups. Being at a club United works with helps.
- 04Scholarship at 16, no application
There is no scholarship form. Places go to players already registered, decided by staff many months before school ends.
Got a trial invite?
What scouts watch, what to bring, what to ask. £19 ($25)
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What to bring to an academy trial
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Boots for the surface (grass = FG, firm ground; 3G or astro = AG, artificial grass), shin pads, a ball, a named water bottle and plain kit (no rival club shirts). Check the club’s trial email first.
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By age group
How to join the Manchester United academy
There is no application form and no open trial. United says every player who joins has first been assessed by one of its scouts, and that the way to be seen is to play for a good town, district or Sunday league team.
Boys can be invited to the Pre-Academy at Under-7 and Under-8. Academy registration starts at Under-9. A scholarship at 16 has no form either: places go to players already registered.
Manchester United girls academy trials 2026/27
The Manchester United Foundation’s Girls Academy page has a registration-of-interest link for 2026/27 trials. The Foundation manages Under-10 and Under-11 teams, Under-12 to Under-14 teams, and the Emerging Talent Centre for Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15. The Professional Game Academy has Under-16 and Under-21 teams.
Registering interest does not confirm a place at a trial. Ask which age group is still accepting applications. Girls’ information checked 5 October 2026.
- Greater Manchester
- Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside borders
- National network for older age groups
- EPPP limit: 1 hour travel U9 to U11, 90 minutes U12 to U16
- Ask which hub and whether it is Pre-Academy or an academy trial. Pre-Academy is unregistered and there is a family meeting first.
- Ask what the assessment period is and when you hear. The FAQ says scouting comes first, then trial and assessment.
- The one-hour rule is measured by route finder, not as the crow flies. Check it before anything else.
- Keep the town or district team. It is where United says its scouts look.
Man United girls academy trials 2026/27
Girls' academies are licensed by the FA, not the Premier League. How the girls' pathway works.
Manchester United is listed in the FA's Professional Game Academy directory. Girls' information checked 5 October 2026.
Use the FA's Professional Game Academy directory to contact this club. Ask which age groups it currently recruits and whether it is accepting trial enquiries. A directory listing does not mean trials are open.
Official page ↗The Foundation's Girls Academy page has a registration-of-interest link for 2026/27 trials. It manages Under-10 and Under-11 teams, Under-12 to Under-14 teams, and the Emerging Talent Centre for Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15. Centre players keep their grassroots club. The Professional Game Academy has Under-16 and Under-21 teams. Ask which phase your child is being considered for.
Official page ↗What to check before you agree
What parents ask about Manchester United
Does Manchester United hold girls' academy trials?
The Foundation's Girls Academy page links to registration of interest for 2026/27 trials. Ask whether the relevant age group is still accepting applications. The Foundation runs the younger teams and Emerging Talent Centre. The Professional Game Academy has Under-16 and Under-21 teams. Registering interest does not confirm a place at a trial. Girls' information checked 5 October 2026.
What age does the Manchester United academy start?
Boys can be invited to the Pre-Academy at Under-7 and Under-8. Academy registration starts at Under-9. For girls, the Emerging Talent Centre starts at Under-9.
How do I get my child scouted by Manchester United?
United's FAQ says to play for a good town, district or Sunday league team, because that is where its regional scouts watch. Every player who joins has first been assessed by one of its scouts.
Are FC United of Manchester trials the same as Manchester United trials?
No. FC United of Manchester is a separate, fan-owned club. Its academy trials are not a route into Manchester United.
Do Manchester United soccer schools lead to the academy?
A soccer school or camp is a coaching course you book, not a trial. United's stated route into the academy is being seen by its scouts in competitive junior football.
- Manchester United, FAQs: can I get a trial? ↗
- Manchester United Foundation, Girls Academy (2026/27 trial registration) ↗
- Manchester United, How the Pre-Academy programme is thriving, Sep 2021 ↗
- The Athletic, Inside Manchester United's academy: Recruitment, Apr 2024 ↗
- Premier League Youth Development Rules (travel limits, registration) ↗
- Girls' pathway: official programme or FA directory, checked 5 October 2026 ↗
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Updated 21 October 2026. Last verified 6 September 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us so we can check the page.