Manchester United have reportedly set their sights on a potential move to sign Coventry City’s teenaged star George Shepherd, just months after he made his under 21’s debut at the Championship side.
It’s no secret that category one academies have undergone an increase in spending when it comes to adding youth talents from teams with a category two/three status, and this could be on the cards once again – should this deal come to the table.
The Sky Blues have had a successful history when it has come to producing talent from the academy, with examples including James Maddison and Callum Wilson in recent seasons.
Manchester United eye Championship midfielder
According to a report from journalist Simon Jones, Manchester United are monitoring Coventry City U21s midfielder George Shepherd, ahead of a possible move to Old Trafford in order to continue his development.
Shepherd signed his scholarship with the Sky Blues in June 2025, securing his place for the next two seasons – though he can sign a professional contract with the Championship side upon turning 17.
The playmaker hasn’t been offered a pre-professional contract at the Championship side yet, though he’s stepping increasingly closer to landing his professional debut.
How has he fared so far this season?
After ending the 2024/25 season with the U18s, the 16-year-old was promoted to Coventry’s U21s for the current campaign – featuring in pre-season and eventually made his debut for the U21s in August.
Since making his U21s debut, Shepherd has made four appearances so far this season and has since scored his first goal at the respective level – netting during a 1-1 draw against Blackburn‘s U21s in the Premier League Cup. He has also been promoted to training with Coventry’s first-team squad in recent weeks as well.
At the weekend, Shepherd’s impressive performances were rewarded by Frank Lampard, with the 16-year-old making the bench during Coventry’s 2-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers – though he wasn’t brought on.
The ‘Charlie McCann’ conundrum for Shepherd
If Shepherd was to make the move across to Manchester United, he wouldn’t be the first player to do it in recent years as he’d be following in the footsteps of former Coventry City academy graduate Charlie McCann, who made the move back in 2017.
However, he struggled at Old Trafford in terms of pathing his first-team path and was moved on to Rangers and Forest Green Rovers, with the midfielder now playing in League Two with Barrow.
McCann was 15 at the time of his move, and arguments will always be present as to whether he could have had a career in the Championship had he stayed put and that could be a factor that plays into Shepherd’s thinking.