Two of the most prominent academies in world football are Manchester United’s Carrington and Barcelona’s La Masia. While La Masia has been in the news for most recently producing the likes of Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, Manchester United have up and coming talent in their ranks too.
One of these talented individuals is Jayce Fitzgerald, a 17 year old English midfielder/defender. He’s been recognized by Ruud van Nistelrooy who’s included the youngster in each of his two first matchday squads – although he’s been an unused substitute.
Fans have been excited about Fitzgerald’s arrival ever since Marc Casado’s success as Barcelona’s new defensive midfielder, hoping Fitzgerald can replicate the same breakthrough under a new manager.
Here’s what we know about Jayce Fitzgerald-
Personal Life
Jayce Fitzgerald is a true United local lad. The young midfielder hails from Salford, Greater Manchester, only a 3 mile or 15 minute drive from Old Trafford stadium.
Currently aged 17, Fitzgerald was born on the 9th of May 2007 and stands at 179 cm or 5’10” – a fitting height for a defender/defensive midfielder. He joined United as a schoolboy and gradually worked his way up through the rank.
Footballing Career
According to Manchester United’s official website Jayce Fitzgerald is said to have joined the Reds’ on 1st of July 2023.
He’s known for his versatility on the pitch, being able to play both in midfield and in defence. Fitzgerald was also part of Man United’s treble winning youth side last season. Fitzgerald reportedly faced a serious injury last season but he still managed to rack up 16 appearances and scored 6 for the U-18’s. He also made a further 6 appearances for U-21 side at the age of 17.
Jayce Fitzgerald seems to have a liking for the number 75, as that’s been his jersey number when he’s been on the bench for the Manchester United senior side and when he’s played for the U-18 side as well. But the young midfielder has also worn jersey numbers 2,4 and 8 according Transfermarkt- probably owing to positional duties in different games.
He’s made a total of 41 appearances when it comes to the Youth Premier League and FA Youth Cup, scoring 6 times. Apart from this he has also made 8 appearances as part of the UEFA Youth League. The young midfielder has also represented England at the Under-17 level.
So far this season Fitzgerald has managed 12 appearances, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists.
As far as salaries go, according to SalarySport, Jayce Fitzgerald comes in the lower salary bracket even for academy level standards. It’s reported that he has a weekly wage of £60 and yearly salary of £3,120. Towards the higher end of the pay grade are the likes of Willy Kambwala who receives £1400 per week and Toby Collyer is the highest paid at £2,600 per week.
There isn’t much known about who handles his contractual dealings as well, whether it is an agent or his parents. Jayce Fitzgerald is now legally allowed to have an agent to represent him, as he is older than the minimum age of 16 required for representation by an FA approved agent.
There also seems to be a strong personal bond developing between first team manager Van Nistelrooy and Fitzgerald. The young midfielder had this to say after being called up to the senior team and potentially having the opportunity to play at Old Trafford, “I think it’s a dream for any young boy from Salford to walk out on Old Trafford and we’re getting to do it soon.”
Van Nistelrooy also spoke to the media on his conversations with Fitzgerald, “It’s fantastic to have him today in the dressing room. I asked him what his feelings were and he was proud, it’s a dream come true. 17 year old lad, he’s doing really well in the Academy like Fletcher, Amass and Wheatley.”
Playing Style
The versatility possessed by Jayce Fitzgerald makes it hard to compare him with a single player, as he has talent to shape into different molds as a player.
Primarily a central midfielder, he has also been effectively deployed as a center-back, right-back, and even a No. 10, showcasing adaptability that reflects his tactical intelligence and football IQ.
His positional shift to center-back under the U18 coach has bolstered his understanding of defensive principles, positioning, and organization—qualities transferable to a defensive midfield role and reminiscent of Sergio Busquets’ youth career under Pep Guardiola.
Like Busquets, Fitzgerald’s time at center-back is building his anticipation and game-reading skills, essential for a future defensive midfielder.
Technically, Fitzgerald excels in passing, vision, and spatial awareness, with an impressive range of passing that suits high-intensity, pressing styles. Though still refining his decision-making speed and weaker foot, his high work rate and agility make him a well-rounded box-to-box midfielder.
His profile more closely aligns with Michael Carrick’s, emphasizing intelligence and distribution over physicality. With ongoing development, Fitzgerald could grow into a foundational deep-lying playmaker for United’s first team, offering the precise, tactically aware profile the club currently lacks.
It will be interesting to see how Jayce Fitzgerald develops under Ruben Amorim who arrives in Manchester this summer. Will he play as a deep lying playmaker, phasing himself in and replacing an ageing Casemiro or will he be loaned out like many youth stars are for regular gametime and development?