'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Manchester United academy star Ben Lyne at the centre of international tug of war
Aug 15 2026 22:48 · By onefootball.com · 12 Reads
1
Manchester United’s Ben Lyne has sparked intrigue after being named in two international squads within a day of each other.
The 15-year-old was named in England’s U16s squad yesterday before subsequently also being named in the Republic of Ireland’s U16s squad.
Both nations have friendlies later this month which do not overlap, meaning Lyne could represent both countries within a week of each other.
Ireland are taking on Wales in a double-header on the 18th and 20th of August, meanwhile England have a double-header of their own booked against Italy on the 25th and 27th of August.
Representing both nations
Lyne has already been involved with both countries, attending an England U15s ID camp before featuring for Ireland’s U15s and U16s.
During his call-up to Ireland U15s in March, Lyne scored a brace on his debut against the Netherlands. He then featured in two further friendlies against the Netherlands, including donning the captain’s armband for the third match.
Most recently, Lyne scored again on his Ireland U16s debut in a 4-0 win over Latvia in May while playing up an age group. While living in Ireland, he impressed in another code of football as well, winning the U15s County Clare Gaelic football championship.
In the red of United
The young forward has not just been impressing on the international level; he was recently a standout player for United at the SuperCupNI. A versatile forward who can operate centrally or on the wing, Lyne joined United last summer after a brief spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Born in the Cayman Islands, this is where Lyne first impressed scouts at U10s level when his club in the Cayman Islands travelled to Europe to play against European clubs including Liverpool and Wolves.
The youngster moved to Ireland soon after, returning to his parents’ native Clare. While there, he travelled back and forth to England to play with Wolves before making the move full-time last year to join United.
Soon after joining United, he impressed in an indoor tournament with a clever goal against Barcelona.
Despite being just 15, Lyne is one of the star players coming through United’s academy and can be expected to feature for Darren Fletcher’s U18s at some point this season.