SullyTalkz Exclusive: Malachai Sharpe departs Manchester United. The young striker is set for a trial with Championship side Blackburn Rovers as he seeks senior football.
Manchester United are focusing heavily on revamping their senior men's squad this summer, with multiple midfielders expected to be signed, particularly as Casemiro is departing and Manuel Ugarte is being linked with a move away.
At the same time, the club are also reported to be eyeing the summer transfer market for a new left-winger, while reinforcements at left-back are also being considered.
However, the club's Academy is also set to continue assessing their pool of talent. Those such as Shea Lacey and Jim Thwaites have been spotted with the first team recently as they look to make the step up to first-team football.
At the same time, there will be young talents who are likely to leave the club this summer as they look to make their own steps into the senior game away from Old Trafford and Carrington.
Sources: Sharpe to leave United this summer
Nottingham-born striker Malachai Sharpe joined United in the summer of 2022 from Derby County and has played a prominent role in the Academy's recent success.
The 20-year-old made 13 appearances for the club's title-winning U18s in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring four goals. He also made a further 13 appearances for the U21s in Premier League 2 last campaign, but has found minutes hard to come by this season.
Roundtable understands that Sharpe is now set to leave the club this summer once his current four-year contract expires.
In coordination with RoversXtra, it's also understood that the former Rams player is set to undergo a trial with Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the coming weeks.
Who could make the step up to senior football?
It has been widely reported that United now see Lacey as a first-team player, and he is expected to take a signifiacnt role in the squad next season, particularly with the return of Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup games at Old Trafford.
However, many of the club's current crop of young midfielders will also be eyeing possible spots in the first team next season, in part because the club needs up to three new midfielders, while funds could limit how many it signs in the market.
Those such as Thwaites, as well as the Fletcher brothers, Tyler and Jack, both of whom made their debuts this campaign, will certinaly be eyeing the chance to stamp their authority in first-team football.
Another name making waves in Red is Jack Moorhouse. Having returned from a successful loan at Leyton Orient in January, he has been touted as a future midfielder who could go on to play at an "elite level" across senior football.
