Former Sheffield United academy manager Travis Binnion has been hired by Manchester United.
Binnion left his role at Bramall Lane over the summer and was replaced by Jack Lester. A Blades product himself, the 33-year-old became a youth development coach at the club in January 2009 after retiring early due to injury.
Binnion rose through the ranks and became academy boss in 2016. He played a role in the development of several Premier League talents. This includes Harry Maguire, David Brooks, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aaron Ramsdale.
Training Ground Guru reports that Binnion has become the Under-14s to 16s lead coach at Old Trafford. The role has been filled on an interim basis since July 2018, when Neil Ryan was promoted to the Under-18s.
Nick Cox is in charge of the Red Devils academy. Binnion also worked under Cox for the Blades before he left for Man United in 2016. He was made academy manager ahead of this season, replacing Nicky Butt.
Travis Binnion and the Sheffield United academy
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When Binnion left Bramall Lane in July, he told Training Ground Guru: “I want to implement everything I’ve learned and put that into action in a different situation and also learn.
“I’ve always worked at one club in one setting so am excited about doing that, because I’m passionate about developing players and people.”
It’s likely that Binnion was already aware of the job with the Red Devils and had been lined up for it. Especially due to his connection with Cox.
Binnion is a well respected figure at the Blades and it would be a shock if they initiated his departure. Despite leaving a role as academy boss, making the move to Old Trafford is certainly a step up.
Youth coaches John Dugsworth and Mick Wadsworth also left South Yorkshire over the summer at the same time as Binnion.