A Manchester United wonderkid is set for a start in the coming months as Rúben Amorim seeks to keep the player at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are currently struggling to integrate academy players into the starting lineup. Rúben Amorim has failed to give Kobbie Mainoo a single start in the Premier League, as the youngster looks increasingly likely to leave in January on loan.
Mainoo is currently the only academy graduate to have played over eight games for the senior team in the current squad. Despite his 69 appearances over the last two seasons, which earned him a spot in the England Euro squad as a teenager, Amorim has seemingly forgotten the midfielder.
Amorim left Mainoo as an unused substitute in United’s disappointing draw to West Ham at Old Trafford. Alongside him on the bench was Shea Lacey, an eighteen-year-old academy forward. Lacey has been training with the senior squad and has featured on the bench in United’s last three league games, but has yet to come on.
This lack of faith in the academy has begun to frustrate United fans, who understand the value of the academy and how crucial it is to United’s core values. Many question Amorim’s decisions following the loss to Everton and the draw to West Ham, where a lack of creativity caused United to fall short of points.
Gabriel set for debut in FA Cup
The FA Cup is swiftly approaching, with United’s first game in the competition expected in early January. The Third round draw is to take place on Monday night, and United will be desperate for a good run after the embarrassing Carabao Cup campaign.
According to Fabrizio Romano, United are “Doing their best to keep” their young talent, JJ Gabriel. Gabriel is a fifteen-year-old forward who is playing for the United under-18s under Darren Fletcher. His performances for the academy and his inclusion in senior training have skyrocketed his popularity and generated interest from huge European clubs, such as Barcelona.
Gabriel is unable to make Premier League appearances due to his age at the beginning of the season, but with the FA Cup’s alternate ruling, the wonderkid is able to make his senior debut for United. Fabrizio Romano says he “would not be surprised if over the next months Amorim could start to include JJ Gabriel as part of the first squad”.
Barcelona have expressed interest in the teenager whom Romano describes as “one of the best in terms of young talent, not only in England but around the world”. Amorim may look to Gabriel as a way to restore his reputation as a youth-focused manager.
Amorim must improve academy usage
Amorim’s repeated ignorance of the United academy has begun to frustrate the United faithful, who worry about losing some of the world’s best talents due to a lack of game time. Though this happens at many clubs, it has proved costly to United on many occasions.
United let a teenage Paul Pogba join Juventus for free in 2012, just to sign him back for a reported £89 million along with huge wages. Pogba then rejoined Juventus for free in 2022 after a mixed six years at the club.
Alvaro Carreras is another player who played for the United academy prominently from 2020 to 2024, with multiple loans throughout, but no chances in the United senior team were given. The wing-back even had a buyback clause in his contract, but was bought by Real Madrid in the summer.
Carreras has played almost every minute for Real Madrid in La Liga this season and has performed at a top level. As an attacking wing-back with defensive contributions, he would have fit perfectly into Amorim’s system. Fans can’t help but feel this was a huge missed talent.
Therefore, there is a worry that United may repeat these mistakes. With Mainoo growing restless and Amorim looking unlikely to change, questions hang over whether stars like Lacey and Gabriel will have their eyes set on United or look to prove themselves elsewhere.
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