How Torpey aims to make Man Utd's academy 'best in the world'

Manchester United's head of academy Stephen Torpey (right) says the club does not want "to create robots" The Busby Babes, George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton, the Class of '92, and a home-grown player in every first-team squad since 1937. Manchester United's commitment to youth development is legendary and the source of huge pride. Stephen Torpey left Brentford to join United as their Academy director in August 2025, following the exit of Nick Cox to become Everton's technical director. In his first extensive media chat, BBC Sport heard the 44-year-old's thoughts on one of the most celebrated youth systems in the English game. "It's the pinnacle of youth football," he said. "Being here every day and watching the talent we've got, knowing I'm shaping this club is amazing for me." Second in their respective Premier League 2 and under-18 leagues and into the latter stages of three prestigious knockout competitions, including the FA Youth Cup, in which they play Sunderland in the quarter-finals at Old Trafford on Wednesday, United's results at youth level this season have been excellent. Yet in October, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed standards in the academy had 'really slipped'. No-one at United has addressed those comments. Torpey says he felt Ratcliffe was addressing the infrastructure - which has been left behind in the £50m revamp at United's Carrington training ground given it was focused mainly on the men's senior side and the women's team. "Ultimately, I think that was based on things like facilities," he said. "It's like decorating your home. You do one room and another doesn't feel the same as the rest of the house. You could say the academy building isn't as advanced as where the first team is right now. "There's a plan in place for us to refurbish, regenerate and do a lot of work around the academy facilities. "My remit is to help us be the greatest academy in the world and to do it in a way we can be proud of. We've got a conveyor belt of talent that would suggest we are up there with the greatest. I want to make sure we can all say that we feel we're really challenging for that status." Academy still important to Man Utd - Amorim Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel, 15, has scored 10 goals in his past eight games Sir Alex Ferguson famously refused to let the media speak to Ryan Giggs in his formative years. Only after the Scot retired did United fully embrace social media platforms. Now, it is a daily part of life for most young players. Almost all have their own accounts, upload posts after games and like those of their team-mates. JJ Gabriel, the 15-year-old star of United's Under-18 side, has 442,000 followers on Instagram. Torpey feels prescriptive rules about how to use social media are pointless. Instead, he prefers to offer advice and guidance. "It's not for us to create robots," he said. "It's for us to allow individuals to flourish and therefore express themselves in a way they want. We've got to look at players as humans, not just a cohort or an age group. "As much as it's our job to protect these young people, we've got to find the line where we don't become parents. Our duty is to support parents where they need it. "As they progress through the club, it becomes a bit different because they're professional players and then they're coming to work for a living but I see things happening for eight and nine year olds now, where it's almost like if he doesn't have an Instagram account, he's no good, and if he doesn't put a baller or flames emoji, he's obviously not a talented seven year old. "We can see through that because we don't know at that point. We might be impressed by little moments of magic but there's a long way to go. It's unnecessary pressure in my opinion." A number of players within United's academy are rated highly. Shea Lacey caught the eye when he made his senior debut in December and is just returning from injury. Both Fletcher twins, Jack and Tyler, have also made their first-team bows in recent weeks. Below that, defender Dan Armer and midfielder Jim Thwaites have flitted between the under-18s and under-21s, as has Bendito Mantato, who was part of England's Under-17 World Cup squad earlier in the campaign. Then there is Gabriel. Top scorer across the Under 18 leagues with 18 goals, he has scored 10 in his last eight games and has attracted attention from all of Europe's top clubs. There is a concern internally about how easily he can adapt to a higher level given his small size, which is why he was not drafted into the squad for the FA Cup third round tie at Brighton - he is not allowed to play Premier League because he was 14 in the current school year. Nevertheless, it is impossible not to get excited by his promise. "I get the question and I understand it," Torpey said. "But I've got to be careful not to put unnecessary pressure on anyone from the academy. We have some special talent in our groups right now. "When you look at those types of players they give you these moments of magic and these bits that get you off your seat, JJ is one of those for sure. "I'm looking for those standout moments and the player you named (Gabriel) is showing those things. But we've also got to make sure he's doing the responsible non-negotiable parts of the game. "The whole club's excited by the talent we're seeing right now. But it is easier to spoil talent than it is to help it to flourish and we've got to handle it with care." Michael Carrick (centre) has been a regular at Manchester United Under-21 games at Leigh Sports Village Many academy staff were unhappy with Ruben Amorim's attitude to it. Now its status has had a major boost. Travis Binnion has made a huge impression in a senior first-team coaching role after stepping up from the Premier League 2 side. Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher is the embodiment of a home-grown player, making 342 senior appearances across 12 years after joining the club as an 11-year-old. And then there is Michael Carrick. The only sighting of Amorim at a youth game was pitchside at a match taking place at Carrington on a day when the first team were training and the former Sporting boss was around anyway. Carrick is invested. His son Jacey is a regular for United's under-16s and has also played for the under-18s this season. Carrick has been spotted at a number of Premier League 2 games at Leigh Sports Village, has also watched matches at Old Trafford and last month went to Oxford for an FA Youth Cup fifth-round victory. In addition, the United boss was an uninvited guest at an academy all-staff meeting in February, when various debuts were honoured and players were brought forward to speak about their experiences. "Darren was at the back of the room," said Torpey. "He was invited as part of the staff. But the amazing part was Michael turned up - he took it upon himself to come. "But I also think it's what Manchester United people do. It's what they know about, it's what they feel. "It's gone down extremely well. But it's not been done for a gimmick, it's done because it's genuine." Latest Manchester United news, analysis and fan views Ask about Man Utd - what do you want to know? Fifa appears to rule out moving Iran's matches to Mexico Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? Watch Slot's Liverpool news conference before Galatasaray; Howe also speaking A missing person case forces DS Fia Lucey back to Blackwater Graham Norton shares his award show memories Gripping award‑winning crime drama Actor Siobhán McSweeney shares her favourite travel destination Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? Inside NSB - the state school at the top of English rugby union 'Looking like the Hamilton of old' and potential rule changes - F1 Q&A From Bodo to Brentford - ranking this season's biggest overachievers 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage How Chelsea signed a star team with hidden payments Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Video Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Six talking points from final round of Six Nations Norrie replaces Draper as British number one - but for how long? Spurs answer Tudor's call with show of fight in the face of crisis Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion. Video Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? A finale worthy of the greatest Six Nations in history Why GB are 'positive' despite just one medal at Winter Paralympics What next for Dowman - how do you look after a precious talent? Should the Winter Paralympics be moved? Brentford, the World Cup and an itch to return to Gaelic football Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.