Leicester City among four Championship clubs circling Manchester United defender, he’s been told he can leave
EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal that one Manchester United youngster is attracting a lot of attention and hasn’t even packed his bags yet.
The Red Devils academy graduate is confirmed to be leaving Old Trafford this summer.
The Bolton-born teenager was signed by United from Morecambe at the age of 16.
He has had a successful time at the club but has been allowed to move on after being part of United’s all-conquering double-winning Academy side from last year.
He spent the latter half of this season on loan at Rochdale in the National League – as he gained valuable first-team experience.
The youngster has already attracted interest from clubs including newly relegated Leicester City, Millwall, Derby County, and recently promoted Wrexham.
- READ MORE: League One starlet wanted by Bolton Wanderers but Scottish giants could lure him away
Jack Kingdon could be heading to the Championship
EFL Analysis understands that a host of Championship clubs are showing an interest in Manchester United defender Jack Kingdon.
We have information from transfer expert Graeme Bailey to suggest a number of sides are already taking an interest in the Scottish youth international.
The likes of Leicester, Millwall, Derby and Wrexham are all clubs who would be keen for his experience at a big club like United, despite his young age.
Seeking an immediate Premier League return after conceding 76 goals in 35 matches (stat via transfermarkt), the Foxes, who could potentially replace Ruud van Nistelrooy with a history-making Championship manager, may find that a hungry young defender like Kingdon is exactly the new legs their defensive line requires.
Having both experienced seasons where they narrowly missed key outcomes – Derby County narrowly avoided relegation and Millwall just missed the play-offs – both clubs arguably stand to gain from defensive reinforcements, a sentiment perhaps echoed in Ebou Adams’ tribute to the “amazing” John Eustace following Derby County’s “miracle.”
Whereas the likes of Wrexham, the pull of a Hollywood backing could be enough to swing the youngster to a new, upcoming challenge.
- READ MORE: Birmingham City plotting move for Bournemouth ace as they look to assemble promotion-winning squad
Jack Kingdon’s experience and journey to Manchester United
Kingdon joined Rochdale on loan in January after four years with Manchester United, arriving from Morecambe’s academy in 2020.
The now 19-year-old lifted the Under-18 Premier League title last season, signing his first professional deal in July.
A former Scotland U-18 captain who has trained with United’s first team and made 10 U-21 appearances this season, Kingdon’s development earned him his first loan move for senior experience.
He previously gained first-team environment exposure through United’s Pro Experience Scheme, including a stint training with Altrincham in the 2022/23 season, where he featured in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
Kingdon has already played at Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena this season, completing 90 minutes for Manchester United against Dale in the National League Cup.
John Eustace told how to make Derby County a top Championship team as ‘brilliant decision’ praised by pundit
Derby County completed a miraculous turnaround under John Eustace and have been told how to go to the next level.
Paul Warne began the season as Derby County manager, but the club opted to make a change when relegation was looking likely.
They entrusted John Eustace to lead them to survival, and he did exactly that despite a shaky start, seeing the Rams finish 19th in the Championship.
Eustace swapped Blackburn Rovers for Derby, a move that has worked out tremendously for his new team.
They lost just one of their last five league fixtures to secure their place in the second tier and have now been told how they can go to the next level.
- READ MORE: John Eustace made a mockery of Paul Warne’s December 2024 comments, fans were right to be furious
Derby County told they must score more goals
David Clowes revealed recently that Stephen Pearce was key to Derby hiring Eustace.
The manager also enjoyed success in the first half of 2024/25 with Blackburn and has earned praise from one pundit for his efforts at both clubs, suggesting Eustace could be Manager of the Season.
Now, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has been discussing the 45-year-old, praising the Rams’ ‘brilliant decision’ to hire him.
Goodman told Derby what they must do if they are to become a team competing at the top end of the Championship, highlighting their lack of goals as a key issue that must be addressed.
He told Football League World: “It was a brilliant decision by Derby County in the end. And, after the first three games which they lost under John Eustace, it would’ve been easy for people to question had they made the right choice.
“But no, safety. Did it by making them resilient and dogmatic,” Goodman explained. “But, he will know that there are challenges still ahead.
“He’s ambitious to do well, and that’s why he left Blackburn and went to Derby County,” he added. “But, if they want to be a club towards the top end of the table, they’re going to have to find a way of scoring more goals.
“Just 48 in 46 Championship games. Just about half of them were set pieces as well.
“There’s lots of work still to be done. John Eustace will be plotting and planning that as we speak. But, it turned out to be a brilliant decision by Derby County.”
Derby County top goalscorers 2024/25
Derby ended the season with 48 goals, which isn’t a lot, but for context, Millwall did finish eighth with 47 goals scored.
However, no side in the top six netted fewer than 58 (fourth-place Sunderland), so work will need to be done on that front.
Jerry Yates ended the season with 10 goals scored in 42 matches for the Rams, with a big drop-off behind him.
Ebrima Adams scored six in 44 matches across 2024/25, with Marcus Myers-Harness taking third place with three.
