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Fabrizio Romano confirms Ruben Amorim has called up 17-year-old prodigy to Man Utd first team for derby

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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.

West Ham United U18 v Manchester United U18: English U18 Premier League Cup
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images

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.