United Beyond Manchester

Manchester United has a rich tradition of promoting youth talent to the first team and not solely relying on the transfer market for quality players.

New manager Ruben Amorim has also shown a tendency to provide youth players an opportunity. One such player is Geovany Quenda, who Manchester United have been linked to.

Three current academy players stand out as the next to debut, and we look at each here.

Godwill Kukonki

Godwill Kukonki is the academy player who has come closest to making his debut this season. The 16-year-old first made Ruben Amorim’s bench against Arsenal on December 4th after being included in the matchday squad for the first time against Ipswich Town on November 24th.

The England-born defender is a commanding presence at just 16 years old. Standing at 6’5 (1.96), he is already taller than Harry Maguire (6’4) and Matthijs De Ligt (6’2). He is an athletic center-back who dominates in the air and is good in possession. As a left-footed player, Kukonki can provide Ruben Amorim with a natural option at left-center-back behind Lisandro Martinez.

Godwill Kukonki has remained involved and active with the first team under Amorim, and a debut seems possible sooner rather than later.

Amir Ibragimov

Amir Ibragimov’s talent was evident as soon as he landed in Manchester. After joining the club from Sheffield United’s academy, the Russia-born star captained the United U14s and U15s. He first featured at the U18 level in January 2023 at just 14 years old and trained with the first team just days after turning 15 in April 2023.

This season Ibragimov has dominated at the U18 level and scored twice against senior opposition with the U21 team. The 16-year-old’s incredible performances have earned him comparisons to Wayne Rooney, who made his first-team debut at Everton at 16.

Amir Ibragimov has all the makings of a future star. He is quick and creative but also possesses a knack for scoring goals, making him an all-around attacking threat.

Ruben Amorim needs a spark in attack. If he looks to the academy, Ibragimov could be one of the first he calls on.

Gabriele Biancheri

Manchester United strikers have scored just five league goals so far this season, which is a major reason the club is languishing in 14th place at the halfway point of the season. Even Leicester City, who sit in the relegation zone at 19th, have scored one more goal than the Reds this year.

Due to the issues surrounding the striker position, rumors are circulating that Joshua Zirkzee may leave shortly after United signed him for £46 million. If the 23-year-old is sold, an academy player could serve as backup for Rasmus Hojlund, particularly if there aren’t sufficient funds to acquire a new player during the winter transfer window.

One academy striker who looks ready for the next step is Gabriele Biancheri. The 18-year-old has scored 17 times in 18 academy appearances this season, including a hat-trick in his most recent match, a 5-0 win in the FA Youth Cup in mid-December.

At 5’9 (1.76 m), Biancheri is not a physically dominant striker but a pacy and direct forward. He can play as a striker or attacking midfielder in Ruben Amorim’s style and could add much-needed dynamism to a Manchester United attack that is flat.

Watch for Biancheri to enter matchday squads this year, especially if Joshua Zirkzee leaves sooner rather than later.

Other players to watch: Chido Obi-Martin, Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher