Kai Rooney responds as academy teammte Godwill Kukonki included in Ruben Amorim’s first Man United traveling squad

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Ruben Amorim is already showing his faith in Manchester United’s youth by including Godwill Kukonki in his first matchday squad.

The Portuguese head coach will take charge of his first match on Sunday afternoon when Manchester United face Ipswich in the Premier League.

Ruben Amorim will play a 3-4-3 formation at United, starting with Sunday’s clash at Portman Road, but he is facing a shortage of options at centre-back.

Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are out injured while Harry Maguire is also recovering from a setback.

Amorim’s predicted lineup vs Ipswich Town therefore includes a back three of Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans and summer signing Leny Yoro. On the bench, there is space for United academy star Godwill Kukonki.

Ruben Amorim keeping a keen eye on Godwill Kukonki

Earlier this week, Kukonki was involved in Amorim’s first training session with the new United boss left with no option but to promote several academy stars to fill in for those still on international duty.

It seems the 16-year-old defender has caught Amorim’s eye in training, and it is easy to see why. Kukonki stands at 6ft 5ins and has been incredible for United’s youth teams.

Fans were wowed by Kukonki in September after he starred for the Under-18s, and he has now been fast-tracked all the way to the first team.

That is because Amorim has included Kukonki in his first matchday squad against Ipswich Town, with the teenage defender set for a substitute role at Portman Road.

If there is an injury to any starting centre-backs or a late change is needed, he could make his senior debut on Sunday afternoon.

Kai Rooney congratulates Godwill Kukonki on first-team call up

Amorim has a great track record of improving young players during his time at Sporting Lisbon and it seems he already has his eyes on Kukonki as a potential star.

Including him in the matchday squad is a huge show of faith from United’s new head coach, and his academy teammate Kai Rooney was quick to congratulate him.

Wayne Rooney’s son, who is progressing through United’s academy himself, took to Instagram to respond to Kukonki’s call-up.

He shared a post on Kukonki being included in the squad and applauded his teammate using an emoji.

At 15 years old, Rooney is also inching closer and closer to following his father’s footsteps to United’s first team.