Oxford United, led by Liam Manning, have had an impressive beginning to the new season. As of now, they occupy the second position in the League One standings, trailing behind Portsmouth by just one point, and they also have a game in hand.
This weekend, Oxford United will be back in action with a home match against Blackpool, followed by an away game against Wigan Athletic next Tuesday.
In early September, Oxford faced a setback as their goalkeeper, Fraser Barnsley, left the Kassam Stadium. He was acquired by Everton, a Premier League team, and inked a two-year deal with them, extending until the summer of 2025. Barnsley, an 18-year-old who had been a regular in Oxford’s youth ranks, had gained experience through loan spells at Welling United and Evesham United in non-league football.
Manning’s squad made a move to secure striker Cameron Cooper on a free transfer after his departure from Rangers at the end of the previous season. Cooper, who is 18 years old, had his contract expire in late June, leading to the decision by Rangers not to extend his stay in Scotland. Prior to his time with Rangers, Cooper had been with Partick Thistle and had played regularly for their B team in the Scottish Lowland League.
Oxford United has allowed young player Joshua Johnson to go on loan back to Dartford to gain more playing time. Johnson, a 19-year-old midfielder, had spent time with the National League South team in the previous season and has now returned there. He initially joined his parent club in 2020 after previously playing for Fulham, and he has since made five appearances in various competitions.
In other news, former Oxford striker Sam Baldock has announced his retirement at the age of 34, and Ipswich Town loanee Kyle Edwards is set to be sidelined for two months due to a hamstring injury.
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