“When young players come to Manchester United and then come to us, there’s a very strong message they get that they are representing themselves and the club, and that they should be a good role model.

“We set out the standards we expect, because there is the possibility otherwise that a negative type of football culture can be dragged into the school. It would be wrong for me to say that there is never any inappropriate behaviour, because boys will be boys, but that behaviour is challenged. The boys are also made aware that they are part of the school, and they fit in with that.”

United’s trainees have classes on Monday mornings and all day on Thursdays, studying for Business and Technician Education Council qualifications – the equivalent of A-levels – in sport or business, with the option to add to that if the football career does not turn out as they hope and they wish to go into further education.