Manchester United have always backed youth and the latest player to get a glimpse of the first team is Godwill Kukonki.
16-year-old defender Godwill Kukonki was included in Manchester United’s first training session under Ruben Amorim.
While several youngsters who made up the numbers during international week have returned to the academy, Godwill Kukonki has retained his spot for now.
He travelled for the league fixture at Ipswich although did not make the bench. Last night he did make the official matchday squad for the Arsenal game, after Luke Shaw pulled out with injury.
Godwill Kukonki has earned chance
Godwill Kukonki has had to earn his promotion, even if it’s temporary. At 16, there are more experienced young centre-backs in the Manchester United academy, yet he is the one who has won over Ruben Amorim early on.
United think highly of Kukonki, and during discussion on MUTV right before the Arsenal fixture, Kukonki’s adaptation to training at Carrington was discussed.
Speaking first, MUTV presenter Zarah Connolly explained: “He was in our live training show just before the Bodo/Glimt game as well. He seems to just seamlessly fit in with this squad. It’s impressive.”
Former United academy graduate Luke Chadwick offered his take, commenting: “He’s done fantastically well in training since new managers come in.
“Now to to get the reward for that, to be in and around it, is such a special experience. The first away trip that you have with the first team is what it is truly is all about.
“Coming to a stadium like the Emirates playing against Arsenal, being on the bench, seeing it up close and personal, being in the dressing room, feeling what that sort of atmosphere is like in there. I think it will be a it’ll be a wonderful experience for the young lad.”
Kukonki gaining experience
Ruben Amorim handed 27 debuts to young players during his spell as Sporting head coach. While Manchester United have promoted more than 250 graduates during the club’s glittering history.
Chadwick reinforced that Godwill Kukonki is in the right place, adding: “Everyone’s got a clean slate, no matter what, training at 16, 30 years old, it doesn’t matter. Everyone’s going in there to really impress. and he’s obviously done
“Manchester United’s been built on players coming through the youth system, and I think to have a manager like that as a young player, when you see that players are getting their opportunity, it gives you so much hope and aspirations to follow in their footsteps.
“And I’m sure just seeing the lad on a bench tonight at 16 years old, and everyone around the academy is gonna have a real buzz about that.”
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