Manchester United defender officially confirms departure after 14 years at the club

Manchester United are heading into a summer of change, with a huge transfer window ahead.

Their latest departure has been confirmed, with a defender taking to Instagram to say goodbye after 14 years at the club.

21-year old centre-back Sonny Aljofree has departed the club after years of playing for the United youth sides, but wasn’t quite being able to take the step up to the first team.

Aljofree posted a farewell on Instagram: ‘After 14 years at this amazing football club, my second home, and the place I’ve grown from a boy to man.

‘I can’t thank the staff, players and everybody who has helped me enough for everything they have helped me with throughout my time. I’ve made brothers for life and I will always appreciate what this club have given me. I wish everybody at the club the absolute best.

‘Ready to kick on and keep growing as a person and as a player. Once a red, always a red’

The young defender never got the opportunity for the first team after loan moves to Accrington Stanley and Notts County in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, respectively. Aljofree returned to United from County in January 2026, after playing just 11 times for the League Two side.

He’ll be looking for opportunities at a similar level despite not quite making his mark in either loan move. Alongside that, Aljofree played 15 times for the Manchester United U21’s this season, but is clearly not viewed as one for the future at Old Trafford any longer, and will depart the club.

It’s a sad revelation given Aljofree joined United at just 7 years old and wasn’t quite able to make the final jump up to the top level, but at such a young age, an exciting career still sits ahead for him.