Rúben Amorim is reportedly keen on seeing one of his new stars head on loan for the second half of the season, as Manchester United’s game time is limited.
Rúben Amorim has a tough task ahead of him over the next few months, with Manchester United having only a few mid-week games during the 2025/26 campaign.
After failing to qualify for European competition this season and being knocked out of the Carabao Cup back in August, United are playing just one Premier League fixture a week, which causes selection problems.
Normally, a squad with around 22-25 senior players will see the majority of them in action across two games a week. However, as United only have one, many players are not receiving the minutes they may have expected.
At the same time, fewer games also limit the number of appearances Amorim can give to Academy stars on the cusp of first-team action, who would otherwise be used as substitutes and backup players in the Carabao Cup.
Amorim pushing for Leon to head on loan
According to SportsBoom, United are now looking for January loan options for new signing Diego Leon, who is yet to feature for Amorim’s side.
Leon was signed from Cerro Porteño in Paraguay in the summer for around £3.2 million and initially featured in pre-season, but after a few appearances on the bench and 45 minutes for the U21S, United now feel his best bet is to head on loan.
Clubs in South America are monitoring the left-back for a six-month deal from January until the end of the season, with Amorim keen to see the player develop his first-team experience away from Old Trafford.
The head coach is said to see Leon as one for the future at United, but with one game a week and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Luke Shaw both ahead of Leon in the pecking order, heading on loan is his best bet for development.
Lacey could be joining Leon on the loan list
Another one of United’s young stars, 18-year-old Shea Lacey, is another who may be heading on loan in January.
Lacey, who Under-21s head coach Travis Binnion believes can become a “top player”, is reportedly coming close to receiving first-team action, and was recently spotted training with the first-team ahead of their 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend.
However, with United already seeing the young forward as a player with enough potential to receive senior minutes, the club have reportedly informed Amorim that Lacey must become involved with the first team soon, or he will be sent on loan in January to collect senior minutes, much like Leon.
But, with the likes of Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount, and other senior pros ahead of the teen, it feels unlikely that Lacey will get these minutes, and instead will likely depart on a temporary basis.
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