Manchester United Women have secured the future of teenage sensation Layla Drury, with the 16-year-old forward signing her first professional contract with the club. The deal, which runs until June 2029, makes Drury the youngest professional player in the club's women's history.
Record-Breaking Rise Through the Academy
Drury joined Manchester United's academy at age eight and has since shattered multiple scoring records at youth level. In the 2025-26 season alone, she netted 42 goals in 28 appearances for the Under-19 side, earning a call-up to the first-team training squad. Her performances also caught the eye of England youth selectors, for whom she has scored 15 goals in 12 caps at Under-17 level.
First-Team Debut and Immediate Impact
The forward made her senior debut for Manchester United in April 2026, coming off the bench in a Women's Super League match against Brighton. She became the youngest player to appear for the club's women's first team at 16 years and 24 days. In her second appearance, she scored her first senior goal in a 4-0 win over Leicester City, becoming the youngest goalscorer in WSL history at 16 years and 32 days.
Club and Player Reactions
Manchester United Women's manager, Marc Skinner, praised Drury's maturity and potential. 'Layla has an incredible work ethic and a natural instinct for goal. She has earned this contract through sheer determination and quality. We are excited to see her continue to develop within our environment,' Skinner said.
Drury expressed her delight at signing the deal. 'It's a dream come true to sign my first professional contract with Manchester United, the club I've supported my whole life. I want to thank my family, coaches, and teammates for their support. I can't wait to keep learning and contributing to the team's success,' she said.
Impact on Manchester United's Women's Team
The signing underscores Manchester United's commitment to investing in homegrown talent. Drury joins a growing list of academy graduates who have broken into the first team, including Ella Toone and Katie Zelem. Her record-breaking start has already drawn comparisons to some of the game's brightest young stars, and the club hopes she will become a cornerstone of their attack for years to come.
With the new contract, Drury is set to feature more prominently in the first-team squad for the upcoming season, as Manchester United aim to challenge for the WSL title and make a deeper run in the Champions League.
