Burnley take Manchester United winger on trial

Uncertainty continues to hover over several young talents at Old Trafford as the club reshapes its future.

Opportunities at senior level remain limited for academy prospects trying to break through.

Recent months have already seen multiple fringe players explore moves elsewhere in search of regular football.

And as the summer window approaches, that trend doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon.

Now, another promising name appears to be testing the waters away from Manchester.

Malachi Sharpe has spent time on trial with Premier League side Burnley, featuring for their Under-21s in a recent outing against Brighton, as reported by the Peoples Person.

The 20-year-old was handed a starting role in the fixture but only lasted the opening 45 minutes, with the game still goalless by the interval before he was withdrawn.

It proved to be a frustrating night for the youngster, who couldn’t make a decisive impact as Burnley eventually fell to a 2-0 defeat.

Interestingly, it was a familiar face with past ties to United who stole the show, as former academy winger Nehemiah Oriola produced a goal and an assist to seal the result for Brighton.

Sharpe’s situation comes at a crucial moment, with his current deal set to run until June 2026, though signs are pointing towards an early departure as he looks to secure a clearer pathway elsewhere.

Having arrived from Derby County back in 2021 alongside James Scanlon and Sekou Kaba, the winger has steadily worked his way through the ranks at Carrington.

Known for his explosive speed and ability to stretch defences, he enjoyed a productive spell last season, netting six times in 17 appearances for the Under-21s.

This campaign, however, has been disrupted by injury setbacks, keeping him sidelined for a significant period before returning to action in December.

Since then, he has managed a handful of appearances, but consistency has been hard to come by as he attempts to regain rhythm.

Despite that, there is still a belief that his raw attributes could appeal to clubs willing to invest in his development beyond Manchester.

A potential switch to Burnley would also see him reunite with a growing group of players who previously came through United’s system.

The Lancashire club has quietly built a strong connection with Carrington, with names like Axel Tuanzebe, Hannibal Mejbri and Owen Dodgson already part of their senior setup.

That link extends deeper into the youth levels too, with Luca Scanlon among those who made the move in recent times.

Malachi Sharpe even shared the pitch with another former United youngster, Charlie Veevers, during the same Under-21 fixture.

Elsewhere, players such as Logan Pye and Hamzat Balogun have also featured within Burnley’s development squads, further highlighting the ongoing pathway between the two clubs.

After five years tied to Manchester United, this latest trial could be the clearest indication yet that Sharpe is preparing for a fresh chapter away from Old Trafford.