Accrington Stanley have turned to Premier League giants Manchester United an incoming once again with the signing of Sonny Aljofree.
United have sent plenty of their talent into the EFL this season, with Will Fish heading to Cardiff City, Hannibal Mejbri making a permanent switch to Burnley and Charlie McNeill arriving at Sheffield Wednesday. The Red Devils have already sent players to League Two this window, with Rhys Bennett being loaned out to Fleetwood Town.
According to Rich Fay, United will send Aljofree to Accrington Stanley, where his fellow United team-mate Radek Vitek has already played in 2024. John Doolan’s side have had a tough start this season, conceding the most goals in the fourth tier with 10.
The 19-year-old defender will be the fifth loanee through the door at the Wham Stadium this summer after former Bradford City man Dara Costelloe, Nelson Khumbeni from Bolton Wanderers, Southampton’s Zach Awe and Blackburn Rovers‘ Jake Batty. Defence has been an area Stanley have recruited heavily, with Donald Love and Farrend Rawson also arriving from Morecambe.
Aljofree has previously played in the National League with Altrincham, where the Greater Manchester club reached the playoffs but lost to eventual winners Bromley in the semi-final. He was included in Erik Ten Hag’s pre-season plans, featuring for 45 minutes against Norwegian side Rosenborg.
Elsewhere, United have loaned out goalkeeper Elyh Harrison to National League North side Chester. The former Stevenage player won a double in the U18’s setup last season, beating rivals Man City 2-1 in the Premier League Cup final.
Writer’s View
United have a knack for producing some of the best young talent in the country and it is very common to see those players head out to gain senior experience. Sonny Aljofree is set to follow the path of many of his predecessors and is joining a club in Accrington Stanley who have previous experience with The Red Devils.
He does have a big task though in helping a defence that has found themselves swamped so far this season. They have conceded 13 goals in just four games and need to find a way to hold firm soon. They come up against a Colchester United side this weekend on the back of a great cup performance against Brentford, following it up with an EFL Trophy game against the free-scoring Stockport County. It is a very difficult task in the short term but if they get the basics right they can start heading in the right direction.
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