I have decided to promote him to the first-team squad since we’re not getting the needed qualities from that particular position”: Manchester United’s coach Ruben Amorim has promoted an generational talent from academy due to lack of quality from from ONE position
The Manchester Derby will be a chance for Ruben Amorim and his team to get back some momentum and ride on a wave of good performances.
Man Utd went into the international break on a good run of results and continued their good performance against Forest but the result didn’t match.
Amorim has already beaten Man City twice this season, with Sporting and United, and will be relishing the chance to do a treble over the rivals.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that a 17-year-old prodigy could be a part of that team after he’s called up to the first team.
Ruben Amorim calls up wonderkid to Man Utd first-team
Amorim has started giving debuts to youth players in recent weeks as the team has improved on the pitch, leading to a better environment for youngsters to be introduced into.
Harry Amass, Chido Obi, and Ayden Heaven have all impressed to varying degrees which will only strengthen Amorim’s confidence in the academy.
That confidence is about to be reflected in his team choice for the Manchester Derby, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that 17-year-old prodigy Godwill Kukonki is set to make the bench.
Kukonki has travelled with the squad before and this could be due to Matthijs de Ligt’s injury issue which could see him miss the game.
Still, it’s quite a feat for a player who has been leaped by the likes of Heaven and Amass despite catching Amorim’s eye first since the Man Utd manager arrived.
Godwill Kukonki can make his Man Utd debut
If and when Kukonki makes the bench against City, he will have a good chance of making his debut instead of it being just a ceremonial inclusion.
That is because both Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro are returning from injuries and with De Ligt likely to be absent, the chances are that Amorim manages his defender’s minutes.
It will also depend on the game state and if United feel secure enough to throw in Kukonki, but that’s the baptism of fire Heaven faced and came out the other side much improved.
Not all debuts are same, however, and Kukonki hasn’t been extremely convincing when he’s played even for the youth teams but his physicality will give him a leg up.
It’s time Amorim’s first favourite at Old Trafford gets his debut and at the biggest stage as well.
That’s a huge moment brewing for Godwill Kukonki — getting a potential debut in a Manchester Derby is no small feat, especially under the bright lights of a high-stakes clash like this.
Rúben Amorim clearly trusts the youth setup, and it’s been refreshing to see names like Ayden Heaven, Harry Amass, and Chido Obi getting real chances instead of token appearances. With De Ligt likely out and Maguire plus Yoro just coming back from injuries, Kukonki might not just be a benchwarmer — he could see real minutes.
Even if he hasn’t blown people away at the youth level, Amorim seems to value his physical profile and potential. That speaks volumes, considering the pressure and scrutiny of a derby game. This kind of early exposure could fast-track Kukonki’s development — just like it did for Heaven.
Do you think Amorim is making the right call bringing Kukonki in for such a big match? Or would you have preferred a more experienced option if De Ligt is sidelined?
