Rúben Amorim has included three new players in the Manchester United training squad after the embarrassing loss to Manchester City last weekend.
Manchester United looked brilliant in pre-season, especially against AFC Bournemouth in the United States, but that form hasn’t continued into the new season.
A loss in the Carabao Cup could have been forgotten as merely a lapse in concentration, but the dreadful performances against Manchester City has left United fans worried about the state of the squad and Rúben Amorim.
Even if the formation or the system isn’t perfect, the results and performances in pre-season showed a completely different side to the one that has played in the United shirt this season.
Injuries to Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount haven’t helped Amorim’s situation, but he needs to find some results soon, or he could be facing an early exit from Old Trafford.
Perhaps, in an attempt to get fans back on side, Amorim may begin to trust in United’s promising youth players and include them in the squad going forward, with some joining the first-team training squad.
Three promising youngsters join the first team
Bendito Mantato – who played for the senior side against Leeds United in pre-season at right-wing-back – is one of three youngsters to join Amorim’s first-team squad after the dismal defeat to Manchester City.
Along with the versatile left-footer, Shea Lacey was spotted in United training, working on his strength as he looks to make his debut for the club as soon as possible.
MailSport’s Nathan Salt reported that Lacey is “getting closer” to Amorim’s squad, and including him in training could be the first step of his debut programme.
Also pictured in first-team training was Jack Fletcher – son of Darren and brother of Tyler – who has also shown promise for United’s youth sides. He could be the perfect profile for the right-sided attacking midfielder, Bryan Mbeumo’s position.
Mantato could play sooner rather than later
Like Lacey and Fletcher, Mantato has started the season in Travis Binnion’s under-21s side, as he looks to continue his development before making his debut for Amorim.
However, unlike the two other youngsters, Mantato offers versatility and could be the perfect man to replace Amad as the right-wing-back when the Ivorian is unavailable during the African Cup of Nations.
While Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui will be the obvious choices to replace Amad, Mantato offers something they don’t as a natural left footer.
Also, the youngster has experience playing as both a right-winger and a left-back for United’s youth sides, making him the perfect right-wing-back option.
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