Academy Weekly: Wood and Cochrane pleased with recent tests

Pro Experience Programme

Launched this month is an innovative new programme which sees Academy players spend time training with EFL clubs. Distinct from a formal loan move, several players in the U17-U23 group will have the opportunity to experience a senior football environment in the Football League. The first two players have already benefitted from the programme, training with Darren Moore’s Sheffield Wednesday squad. Upon their return, they presented their experiences to coaches in order to cement the learning process. Read more about the programme, including Nick Cox’s thoughts on it, here.

“They played the Manchester United style”

The Under-21s played at the Stadium of Light last Wednesday, beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in the Papa John’s Trophy group stages.

Earlier in the tournament, United had beaten Bradford City by three goals and suffered a narrow defeat to Lincoln City.

Zidane Iqbal scored United’s only goal, sandwiched in between strikes from Sunderland’s Dyce and Wearne.

The competition is a great experience for United’s youngsters, as Justin Cochrane, Head of Player Development and Coaching, pointed out.

“The positives are that we showed we can play at this stage, that the youngsters wanted the ball and created opportunities,” Cochrane told club media.

“At times, when you think ‘oh, this could be a bit of a problem’, they kept going. We got lots of good young players now, who I look at and think this is something you can add, or tick, on the development, playing at the stadium of an ex-Premier League club. It showed you’ve got potential to go further.

“The key message is: ‘Can you be more consistent in the way you play? Can you be more ruthless with your chances?’ Because, ultimately, matches are decided by what happens in both boxes.