Ruben Amorim stuck to his word and named an extremely young Manchester United side to face Brentford in the Premier League.
Manchester United’s full focus is on winning the Europa League this season, and a 3-0 win over Athletic Club midweek means the Red Devils have one foot in the final.
However, Ruben Amorim insists the tie is not over and there is still plenty of work to be done at Old Trafford in the second leg on Thursday night.
With nothing left to play for domestically, Amorim is willing to trust academy stars in the Premier League, and he named a very young side to face Brentford on Sunday afternoon, including a first start for wonderkid Chido Obi.
Chido Obi breaks Man United record vs Brentford
Unfortunately, Obi is ineligible to play in the Europa League this season after not being registered in the squad.
Amorim chose to rest Rasmus Hojlund for the second leg, and with Joshua Zirkzee injured it paved the way for Obi to make his first senior start.
By starting at Brentford, Obi has now become United’s youngest-ever player to start a Premier League match according to Opta.
Ineos poached Obi from Arsenal in the summer and promised a clear and direct pathway to the first team – United have kept the promise and now the 17-year-old has his chance to shine.
Amorim has been full of praise for Obi following his incredible start in Manchester this season.
Ruben Amorim names youngest Man United side in Premier League history
Obi was not the only academy star that Amorim put his trust in for the trip to Brentford.
Academy stars Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson were also named in the lineup, while fellow graduates Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho also started.
Fredricson impressed on his senior debut against Wolves, while Harry Amass was voted Man of the Match for his display in that game. They will both be looking to build on their performances at Brentford.
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With several key players rested for the Europa League semi-final second leg on Thursday, Amorim’s youthful starting lineup was actually the third-youngest side ever seen in the Premier League.
With both Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes on the bench, it was 29-year-old Luke Shaw who was handed the armband by Amorim for the day.
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