Travis Binnion opens up on how Man Utd ease their brightest academy players into senior training.
Travis Binnion Discusses How Youngsters Earn Their First Steps
Man Utd U21 coach Travis Binnion talked about the jump from youth football to the first team. He made it sound simple, but the work behind it is heavy. He spends his days tracking every detail of how the U21’s train, think, and react under pressure. His goal is to make sure each player understands what senior football demands, long before they ever walk into that dressing room.
He says the flow between the Academy and the senior squad isn’t random. It’s shaped by steady conversations with Carlos Fernandes, Ruben Amorim’s assistant coach.
Binnion said: “I will speak to Carlos, Ruben’s assistant.
“I’ll speak to him daily, twice daily, three times daily. I probably speak to Ruben, on average, maybe every couple of weeks, touching base on players.”
Why Trust Matters In The Pathway
The club doesn’t just send a kid upstairs and hope he copes. There’s a plan behind every session.
Binnion added: “It’s always sort of two-way conversations,” added Binnion. “But, with multiple stakeholders, not loads of people. Myself, Stephen Torpey, Jason Wilcox, Carlos, Ruben and then, obviously, Fletch.
“My conversations with him are massive around, not just the Under-18s group, but the Under-21s group. So his insight and perspective, with Colin Little, is huge so it really is a collaborative [thing].
“I know that’s a really in-trend word to use but it is because, if it’s not collaborative, then we are going to let the players down and we’re not going to get it right for the first team, if we’re not all aligned, with the players that we see needing those opportunities, whether it be first-team training or whether it be playing games.”
Author’s Opinion:
United’s approach feels smart and balanced. The plan gives young players a real chance without rushing them. It also shows how important communication is in building the club’s long-term future.
As featured on ManUNews.com
