Ruben Amorim has been impressed by two Manchester United academy players in training and their debuts could come when several players depart for AFCON later this season.
While Manchester United’s senior team has struggled in the Premier League this season, the club’s youth sides have been enjoying impressive form.
The Under-18s have triumphed in five of their six league matches, while the Under-21s boast a perfect record; six wins from six; in Premier League 2.
Travis Binnion’s squad is brimming with promising talent and continues to look strong, with several youngsters already training alongside Ruben Amorim’s first team.
Chido Obi has been leading the line for the academy side, supported by the likes of Shea Lacey and Bendito Mantato, who have also made notable contributions.
Amorim impressed by United academy duo in training
Amorim was almost forced to utilise youth players during the latter stages of last season due to injuries, with players like Obi and Harry Amass appearing on the bench regularly.
But that involvement has scaled down so far this term with a healthy first-team squad. Still, there are demands for youth involvement at Old Trafford.
Reports from MailSport have claimed that Jack Fletcher and Lacey are the academy players who have impressed the most in first-team trainings under Amorim.
It has been reported elsewhere that United’s first-team stars have been stunned by the technical ability Lacey possesses. His involvement in England senior training during the international break shows how talented he is.
The aforementioned report also explained how the Africa Cup of Nations later this season ‘opens up the prospect’ of Lacey or Fletcher being drafted into the first-team squad for games and the potential of a debut.
Amad and Bryan Mbeumo will both be departing for AFCON and they could miss around a month of action for United between December and January, and that opens up space for on the right for youngsters to potentially push through.
Amorim must trust the youth
United’s history has always been linked with youth talent and right now there are none in the starting lineup in Amorim’s team.
Kobbie Mainoo is the only academy graduate who regularly makes the matchday squad but he is yet to start a Premier League game this season and will probably want to leave the club on loan in January.
Amorim is under pressure right now, but if he decided to trust the academy more the United boss would undoubtably receive extra support from the fanbase.
Lacey is a player who many fans are excited to see in action and it does seem like AFCON would be the perfect time for Amorim to give the youngster a chance if he can prove his fitness until then.
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