Nine Man Utd kids get pro deals

Manchester United have confirmed nine of their young players have been given first year contracts by the club.

United are focussing on a smaller group of academy players this season, having opted out of both the EFL Trophy and the National League Cup to prioritise age group football, including the Uefa Youth League and the Premier League International Cup.

Darren Fletcher is taking a squad to the Netherlands on Thursday for the three-day Otten Cup, which also features Benfica, Chelsea, Brazilian side Palmeiras and hosts PSV Eindhoven among the eight-team line-up.

It is likely the players awarded contracts will form the backbone of the United squad: Jacob Watson, Neithan Barbosa, Albert Mills (pictured), Louie Bradbury, Charlie Hardy, Cameron Byrne-Hughes, Jayden Ngwashi, Nathaniel-Junior Brown, Rafe McCormack.

Byrne-Hughes, McCormack and Mills started last May's FA Youth Cup final defeat by Manchester City, with Brown coming on at half-time.