17yo defensive prodigy trains with Man Utd 1st-team, he rejected European clubs to sign new deal in June
17-year-old centre-back Jayden Ngwashi partook in Manchester United first-team training on Sunday, according to Academy Scoop.
The Academy Scoop, a reputable source for youth football transfer news and analysis, with specific coverage and focus on Man United’s academy claimed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) today that the teenage sensation was with head coach Ruben Amorim and his men yesterday.
Ngwashi signed a new four-year deal back in June after rejecting offers from English and European clubs, and he is now getting the opportunity to train with the big boys after bouncing back from an injury.
The Stoke-born Ngwashi joined Man United at the pre-Academy stage before signing scholarship forms this year.
He made his Premier League 2 debut in March and will now look to force his way into the senior team in the coming months.
Ngwashi has played both in defence and midfield at youth level, with his ball-playing skill a quality which stands him out from his peers.
He will now look to make himself a regular face in first-team training, which would not be a problem as long as he keeps convincing Amorim.
The Portuguese has never hesitated to include the Man United teenagers in his plans, with 15-year-old JJ Gabriel featuring in a training match with the first-team last week.
19-year-old Ayden Heaven featured in the 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, and Ngwashi will hope to follow in the footsteps of the former Arsenal starlet.
He is highly rated at the Old Trafford club given his huge potential, but whether he has what it takes to establish himself as a key player for the Red Devils going forward is another matter entirely.
Man United are only featuring in the Premier League and FA Cup for the rest of 2025-26 following their early elimination from the Carabao Cup.
As a result, Amorim does not have plenty of games to experiment with and give the likes of Ngwashi much-needed opportunities to play at the highest level.
Article written by Alani Adefunmiloye .