On an overcast morning at Carrington, some local schoolchildren are playing small games of seven-a-side against a group of Manchester United players who are not long out of school themselves. As you would expect, the youngsters from the club’s academy take it easy on the kids – staying out of tackles, letting the ball run for them, passing at each opportunity – but there are moments when their talent shines through.
At one point, the close control of Kobbie Mainoo scrambles a couple of the kids and sends them sprawling on the floor. Sam Murray later catches a volley sweetly, finding the top right-hand corner, and wheels away in a celebration that is only half-muted. “I was a bit shocked at that honestly!” jokes Maxi Oyedele later. “He was playing against my team, I was like: ‘Woah, need to step it up a level!’”
