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Confidants of Manchester United youngster James Scalon are reportedly confused by Ruben Amorim’s decision not to include him in the matchday squad that faced Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
A depleted United were beaten 1-0 in North London, courtesy of a first-half strike by James Maddison.
With several players picking up injuries in training last week, Amorim was forced to include several academy starlets in the contingent that made its way to the capital.
Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven, Harry Amass, Sekou Kone, Elyh Samuel Harrison, Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher and Jack Lee Moorhouse were all named on the bench for the fixture.
Only Chido Obi was afforded some minutes, coming on in added time as a replacement for Casemiro, while United were looking for an equaliser.
There were suggestions that Scanlon would be part of the squad but Amorim overlooked him, preferring other youngsters instead.
This was especially odd because Scanlon had impressed in the 5-1 FA Youth Cup victory over Chelsea, where he scored a brace.
Now, the Daily Mail reports that Amorim’s decision to snub the 18-year-old raised a few eyebrows.
“Confidential understands that Scanlon was in contention to make the trip to Tottenham before a late decision was made to push him into the Under 21s for the week.”
“Scanlon is a full international with Gibraltar and is one of the few players in the academy sides who is a more natural fit as one of the No 10s that Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system calls for.”
“Those close to the player have been left scratching their head at Scanlon being overlooked for so many of his peers, particularly after he was the best player on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of the U21s’ defeat to Fulham on Monday night.”
It’s understood that individuals around Carrington were also “left confused” at Scanlon’s non-involvement with the senior team.
United are back in action on Saturday when they go away to Goodison Park to play David Moyes’ Everton.
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