Nicholas Ajose, a Bury born attacker, was given his first contract at United at the age of just 17. The player of Nigerian descent was known for his pace and creativity and primarily used as a winger in early youth squads, but his composure in front of goal couldn’t be ignored, so he quickly found himself playing as a striker. In September 2010, United’s Under-18 coach Paul McGuinness described him as a “very exciting player who has the ability to beat defenders with his pace or skill.”
After a successful half-season loan spell at his local club Bury, who played in League Two for the 2010/2011 season, and impressive record of six goals in his first 18 games in professional football, he caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson, who offered him a two-year extension in January 2011. He stayed at Bury until the end of the season, where he finished with 13 goals scored in 28 games. Everything seemed to be set for new United Academy star to make his first team debut.
However, just months after signing a new contract, Ajose was sold to Peterborough, managed by Darren Ferguson, for undisclosed fee (believed to be around £300,000). A bad start at the Championship club had seen him being loaned to League One teams Scunthorpe and Chesterfield, where he didn’t show the form from his Bury days and finished season with only two appearances for the Posh.
Things got only slightly better for ex-United youngster in the following season; another two loans, to Crawley Town and Bury seeing him getting seven goals in 42 games played. Stagnating in his progress, Ajose didn’t prove Ferguson wrong of letting him go and in the age of 21, he was loaned out by relegated Peterborough for the fifth time in just three seasons, this time to fellow League One club Swindon.
He established himself there as a first choice player, scoring 10 goals in all competitions for the mid-table side. He finally got his chance at London Road in January 2014, excelling with five goals in as many appearances, for which he won his, to this day only, Player of the Month award. Unfortunately for Ajose and Peterborough, that remained the single highlight in his three-year-spell there; as two goals in remaining 19 matches wasn’t good enough to earn him a new contract and he was sold last summer to Championship club Leeds.
Ajose signed a three-year-contract for the Yorkshire club, but started poorly again. He gathered only three appearances in first half of the season, and was loaned out to League One relegation fighters Crewe in November. The 23-year-old has started 2015 in fantastic fashion. He helped his team with eight goals in his first 12 matches, but hasn’t found the back of the net in the next 15. Nonetheless, that was enough for him to finish as Crewe’s joint top scorer for the season.
Consistency remained Ajose’s main problem. Undeniable talent that earned him Manchester United contract is shown only in flashes. He is still capable of providing moments of brilliance, but it doesn’t come on a regular basis and judging by his recent performances, place in Leeds United team is far from secure.
Another loan seems inevitable next season, and despite not turning 24 yet, the question will remain: what if?
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