Manchester United academy talent Amir Ibragimov was thrown back into the fire after more than five months out injured.
Having missed the end of 2025 and all of 2026 with a broken foot, Amir Ibragimov returned for Manchester United in the Premier League Cup final against Crystal Palace.
Ibragimov came on as a substitute to immediate effect with his creativity and ability to beat a defender, almost getting him an assist.
It was a long comeback route, with Ibragimov working to toughen his foot with sports scientists, which is with the hope of avoiding further complications.
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Amir Ibragimov throws name into the Manchester United midfield hat
Ibragimov is no longer the attacking flair player that he was a year or two back, with his evolution as a player pushing him back into midfield.
When substituted on for United against Palace, the Dagestan-born teenager was straight in as a box-to-box midfielder, and he hasn’t missed a step.
Straight into doing the dirty work, Ibragimov spent much of his cameo guarding the back four, winning the ball back, and carrying it forward when given the chance.
Ibragimov has evolved into a really solid combative midfielder, while still learning the role.
This, coupled with his technical ability and creativity, makes him a really strong midfielder and highlights that he could be United’s own Elliot Anderson if he continues to develop.
Ibragimov wanted to debut in the 2024/25 season, so he is behind his own schedule, but a strong end to this season could put him in contention for a pre-season spot.
With United’s midfield needing depth next season, don’t rule out Ibragimov getting a chance. This performance was a message to Carrick that he cannot be the forgotten man.
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Ibragimov’s got the character Manchester United need in the first team
Ibragimov has been compared with Bryan Robson in recent memory, for his fantastic leadership and similar qualities in midfield, and he also demonstrated this in the defeat on penalties to Palace.
During the penalty shoot-out, Ibragimov scored his penalty with a strike into the top corner, which was unsavable and afterwards he showcased his character.
With the United fans behind the goal, Ibragimov got them up to support the team by shouting in celebration, with the crowd getting behind him.
Ibragimov then turned to the Palace goalkeeper and tried to rile him up with whatever he was saying, before the referee shut it down. Ultimately, it didn’t work, but his desire to win meant doing the nasty part of the game, which United needs more of.
It was Matheus Cunha-esque from Ibragimov and showed why he should be right back in first-team conversations.
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