Ruben Amorim seems to be running out of time to do something that is expected from every manager at Manchester United.
Manchester United’s season so far has not been brilliant, nor has it been terrible. The Reds currently sit eighth in the table after their draw to West Ham.
Results and performances remain inconsistent under Ruben Amorim, who is still receiving major backing from those in charge at the club.
But the biggest criticism of the Portuguese coach at the moment seems to be about his resistance to playing academy players in the first-team.
Amorim is making sure he holds onto the long-standing record by including at least one academy player in his matchday squads, but they are not getting opportunities on the pitch.
Kobbie Mainoo is barely playing after shining before Amorim arrived at the club while Shea Lacey has started to be integrated but still doesn’t seem trusted.
Amorim is running out of time to do one thing every United manager has done
Every United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson arrived has ultimately failed at their number one job – getting United back to the top.
But each and every one of them was able to bring through and show genuine trust to at least one academy player during their tenures. David Moyes provided Adnan Januzaj with his chance in red while Louis van Gaal trusted many youth players, including Marcus Rashford.
Jose Mourinho was often criticised for his treatment of the youth but he provided the platform for Scott McTominay to breakthrough. Ole Gunnar Solskjær gave debuts to many youngsters, with Brandon Williams and Mason Greenwood the most notable.
Erik ten Hag developed Alejandro Garnacho and Mainoo. Even Ralf Rangnick, during his interim period, brought through and trusted Anthony Elanga.
Amorim provided debuts to some youth players when he stopped caring about the Premier League last term, but otherwise, he hasn’t really trusted any academy players since his arrival, and the setup at Carrington is arguably at its best throughout this entire period.
Lacey most likely to get opportunity
Of course, things could change and it seems like Lacey is the most likely to become Amorim’s trusted academy player. He could be involved during AFCON.
But it will be interesting whether the Portuguese manager would continue playing Lacey when the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad return from that tournament.
On one hand, you can understand why Amorim may want to take things slowly with young players, but there is also a responsibility when you are in charge at Old Trafford.
At any other club, it would not be such a big deal, but United’s success is directly related to youth all the way through history, and Amorim needs to understand that.
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