Manchester United turn to former Manchester City official for key academy role | OneFootball

Old Trafford decision makers have once again turned to one of Manchester City’s former officials when deciding upon a name for a key position at the club.

The move underlines a continuing trend within Manchester United’s restructuring process, as the club looks to modernise its football operations by leaning on individuals with experience inside elite Premier League environments having increasingly targeted figures with backgrounds at rival clubs, particularly those linked to City’s well-documented success.

An emphasis on youth development is often central to United’s long-term strategy, with the club seeking to strengthen recruitment pathways and ensure a smoother transition of academy prospects into senior football.

The latest development also reflects the growing interconnectedness of senior figures across the two Manchester clubs, with overlapping professional networks playing a role in shaping appointments behind the scenes.

According to a wide-ranging report from MailSport, Manchester United are now set to appoint Newcastle United’s head of youth recruitment Paul Midgley to fill the same role at their own academy set-up.

Midgley becomes the latest former Manchester City official to be recruited at Old Trafford, having previously been the Etihad’s UK scouting manager, working with Manchester United’s now-director of football Jason Wilcox and their now-academy chief Stephen Torpey.

His arrival would further reinforce United’s commitment to overhauling their youth recruitment strategy, with Midgley widely regarded for his knowledge of domestic talent identification and development structures.

For City, the move may be viewed as another example of rival clubs attempting to replicate elements of the Etihad Stadium’s operational model, particularly in areas such as academy recruitment and talent pipelines.

Manchester City’s sustained success in integrating youth prospects into elite environments has made their internal processes highly sought after across the Premier League. Looking ahead, United’s academy revamp is expected to continue as they attempt to close the gap on rivals both domestically and in Europe.

Whether these appointments translate into on-pitch success remains to be seen, but the continued pull of Manchester City alumni speaks volumes about the reputation the club has built beyond the first team.