Arsenal see benefits in NextGen tournament but Manchester United stay away
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, has taken a personal interest in the NextGen Series tournament and is understood to believe there are major benefits to competing in the Under-19s European Cup competition, which only Manchester United, among England's elite clubs, have declined to be involved in.
United's internal discussions about the tournament took place yesterday morning, after Arsenal and Chelsea had joined next season's competition, but despite overtures from NextGen who had hoped that United would fill one of four remaining places, the reserve-team manager Warren Joyce had decided against it by early afternoon. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have all signed up to the tournament, which was won this season by Internazionale.
City and Liverpool have both benefited from the tournament, with Liverpool academy director Frank McParland hailing the advantages of encountering different playing styles and Wenger being very supportive in recent weeks.
But the Premier League champions feel they already have enough quality competition at this age level. They recently fielded a young reserve side in the Elite Group competition at the Dallas Cup, losing in the final to Coritiba of Brazil. An under-17 team also lost to Ajax on penalties in the recent Amsterdam Tournament. In the NextGen series, which will be expanded to 24 teams next season, Olympiakos and PSG are other new additions. There are seven British sides involved in all, with Aston Villa and Celtic making up the contingent.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments