Manchester United’s Under 18’s head coach Adam Lawrence has singled out two Academy stars who could help Ruben Amorim in his first-team problem areas.
Before Manchester United‘s FA Youth Cup semi-final defeat against Aston Villa, Under-18s head coach Adam Lawrence spoke on two of his talents who could soon make the step up into first team football.
In a season where Ruben Amorim‘s side have been met with countless injuries and issues, he has had to recently turn his attention to the youth setup at his club’s disposal to try and turn his sides Premier League campaign around.
This has meant the introduction of talented prospect Chido Obi, as well as the likes of Ayden Heaven, Toby Collyer and most recently, Harry Amass.
Turning to the youth for Amorim’s wingback solution
It is no secret that Amorim’s introduction has left United in dire need of some wide players in his 3-4-3 system, which could lead to Amorim looking at his club’s Under 18’s in the not so distant future.
Lawrence has praised winger Bendito Mantato, as well as Jaydan Kamason, as potential options in the first-team as wingbacks. Both of them were on the score sheet to see the Red Devils past Arsenal via extra time in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
“Mantato is a good example,” Lawrence said. “He’s played a lot as a winger for the U18s and in a wide position but has always had those characteristics and qualities where he can be flexible and adaptable in his positions — he could be a wingback.
“Jaydan Kamason is similar but the other way — he plays predominantly as a full-back, but he likes to get forward and can affect the game higher up the pitch.”
This follows on from reports claiming that Amorim is planning to give Mantato his first-team debut before the end of the season.
How United academy duo can benefit Amorim
During United’s cursed campaign, Amorim has been trying to implement his 3-4-3 system, but one thing that has been an issue throughout is the wide positions.
In this type of system, there is a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of the wide players, as most of the play will be orchestrated through them, which demonstrates the importance of having as much quality as possible on the flanks.
So far, Amorim has been without his main left back in Luke Shaw for the vast majority of the campaign, as well as recently losing star player Amad to injury. Add this to the list of players on loan (Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia) and you end up with a very tricky situation to navigate.
Through introducing teenage up-comers Mantato and Kamason, Amorim could not only have more depth in his wide areas, but also more quality and dynamism.
There is a rich history at United to trust in academy prospects, and it looks like this history may keep repeating itself.
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