Manchester United as a club have always placed great importance on the role of their academy.

Despite a terrible season on the pitch last year, Carrington still produced as Toby Collyer, Chido Obi, Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson all made their senior debuts last year.

United’s youth system is teeming at the rafters with exciting young talent at the moment and many will be eyeing up a possible first team debut in the coming campaign.

A former academy product, Joe Thompson, sadly died on 18th April after a long battle with cancer.

He joined the youth team at United in 1998, before leaving at 16 years old where he played for Rochdale and later Tranmere Rovers.

Thompson was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma. After treatment, he was able to make a return to football with Bury, Carlisle and, once again, Rochdale.

He would also go on to have a successful career in motivational speaking after ending his playing days in 2019.

Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with the disease twice more, before finally passing earlier this year.

The club’s official website reports that “Manchester United is proud to announce the launch of a new award in memory of Joe Thompson, our former youth-team player who passed away in April aged 36.”

The award “will be presented each season to a player or staff member from our Academy’s Under-18s or Under-21s sides.”

The site explained that the award “will be given to somebody who represents the values of a Manchester United person, like Joe did, displaying characteristics like resilience, honesty, integrity, humility, innovation and a relentless work ethic, with a focus on the community.”

It is hoped that the prize will be a “lasting tribute” to the former player. The first winner of the new award will be announced next week.

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