United’s Academy staff are mindful that it takes a village to raise a young Red, and the latest instalment of MUTV’s Lifeblood film series lifts the cover on what it’s like to be the parent of an aspiring footballer and how the club aims to develop the person, as well as the player.
It is that mentality – to develop all young Reds as people – which is fundamental to the Academy strategy, a regularly fine-tuned document shared with staff internally and shown in Lifeblood: Developing People. It proudly states: ‘We are the lifeblood of the club.’ It’s a philosophy founded on a history of successful youth development, one which acknowledges how all staff are ‘following in the footsteps of great players and staff’ and so have a ‘responsibility to act as guardians to the Manchester United culture, spirit, values and playing style.