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Manchester United’s midfield was beset with injuries ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur clash last Sunday with as many as four players missing in action.
Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer, and Manuel Ugarte all missed out while Christian Eriksen was sidelined with illness. As a result, Casemiro was handed a rare start with the Brazilian struggling to adapt to Ruben Amorim’s high-intensity style.
The bench had a youthful look to it with as many as eight academy stars selected to be part of the matchday squad with academy hitman Chido Obi receiving his debut to become the 252nd academy graduate to make his first-team debut.
While Eriksen is expected to return, Mainoo’s comeback has been further delayed and hence, the head coach needs to figure out a way to deal with the lack of numbers at his disposal.
Amorim lacks options in midfield
Last Sunday, Sekou Kone and Jack Fletcher had made the bench and as per Givemesport, the Malian has impressed the Portuguese tactician and like Chido Obi, he is also expected to make his debut sometime this season.
Initially, there were plans to wait until pre-season to see what he is capable of but Amorim is ready to reward with senior minutes ahead of schedule.
Coaches at Carrington feel his skillset is similar to that of ex-United star Paul Pogba with Kone even considered a better fit for Amorim’s system than Collyer, who has already earned plenty of minutes under the ex-Sporting CP boss.
“Manchester United youngster Sekou Kone is on course to be handed the opportunity to enjoy his first taste of senior action before the Premier League campaign comes to a close thanks to earning head coach Ruben Amorim’s trust during the early stages of his Old Trafford reign, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Kone set for debut
“Kone is set to be handed his Manchester United debut before the season reaches its climax, according to GMS sources, with there being confidence behind the scenes that he has the potential to thrive in Amorim’s preferred system after showing promising signs since arriving at Old Trafford.
“GMS sources have been told that there is confidence behind the scenes that Kone has the ability to handle the step up into Manchester United’s first-team and could prove to be better equipped than fellow up-and-coming talent Toby Collyer when it comes to adjusting to life in the Premier League.”
The 19-year-old has been restricted to six appearances for the United reserves since his summer move due to an injury but he has slowly adapted to life in Manchester.
He was registered as part of the club’s Premier League squad when he first arrived and had trained with the first-team when Erik ten Hag was in charge but it looks like Amorim might be the one to benefit.
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