Success as a young player can be about timing. Just ask Marcus Rashford, who got his big Manchester United opportunity in 2016 after a spate of injuries.
Marcus Rashford seized his chance and propelled himself to a great career, and in the process has inspired numerous academy talents.
A player looking to follow in Rashford’s footsteps is Manchester United youngster Jack Moorhouse, who has been pictured in first team training.
Moorhouse was spotted at Carrington mixing among first team stars Matthis de Ligt, Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro.
Marcus Rashford was incidentally training alone after returning from illness, amid questions over his future nine years since his breakthrough.
Jack Moorhouse in training after impressing Ruben Amorim
Jack Moorhouse returned to action for Manchester United’s under-21 side in November after 431 days out injured.
Moorhouse, now 19, made his under-18s debut when he was just 15, going onto feature in the FA Youth Cup, and for the 18s at the start of the 2023/24 season before suffering injury.
Now fit again and with the under-21s, Moorhouse was the star of the show in the under-21s 5-1 victory over Southampton in December.
Crucially, Moorhouse starred in front of a watching Amorim, picking the best possible time to shine.
Moorhouse opened the scoring to net his first goal since returning from injury, before grabbing another, and clearly Ruben Amorim was impressed.
He was praised by under-21 assistant coach Dave Hughes, and it was claimed before Christmas that Moorhouse was expected to step up into first team training after catching Amorim’s eye.
The head coach has now followed up on that, calling Moorhouse into the group as United begin preparations for the FA Cup clash with Arsenal this weekend.
Moorhouse plays as a central midfielder, able to break defensive lines with his dribbling ability, and he is being given a chance to show what he can do.
Midfield is a position where United lack depth, with Amorim so far yet to provide a chance to young talents Toby Collyer and Dan Gore.
Moorhouse, nominated for the PL2 player of the month award, has a chance to overtake the pair and get into the first team picture.
27 academy players made their first-team debut during Amorim’s spell at Sporting, and United’s prospects are battling to become his first call-up.
Elyh Harrison and Godwill Kukonki involved in training too
One young player who has regularly been involved in training and even made a Premier League matchday squad is Godwill Kukonki.
Kukonki, 16, has caught the eye, being singled out for praise by Ruben Amorim, with the young centre-back becoming a regular part of the first team set up.
Another player involved at Carrington was young goalkeeper Elyh Harrison, who has just been recalled from a loan spell at non-league Chester.
Harrison may head out on another loan, but for now he is getting an introduction to Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff.
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