Gabriele Biancheri is unstoppable, Ruud van Nistelrooy must take next step with Man Utd wonderkid vs PAOK

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Gabriele Biancheri has been in unstoppable form for Manchester United at an academy level this season, now he deserves a shot at the next level.

The impending arrival of Ruben Amorim will be an exciting appointment for the academy stars currently catching the eye for Manchester United.

Amorim will take charge on Monday, where he will instantly be aware of the incredible players in the United academy at his disposal – with the new United manager having a history of using youth which Ineos will love.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s head coach – Ruben Amorim

However, there are still two games to be played, with this week against PAOK in the Europa League offering Ruud van Nistelrooy the chance to give Gabriele Biancheri the opportunity he deserves.

Biancheri’s form this season would make a spot in the matchday squad justified – with Ethan Wheatley possibly heading to take on Zalgiris with the U19s instead.

• READ MORE: Manchester United’s Best Academy Players of All Time

How Gabriele Biancheri has been performing since U21 promotion

With Wheatley being promoted to the senior team for the majority of this season, Biancheri has been featuring at both U18 and U21 levels.

Biancheri has scored 11 goals at U18 along with two assists (two of which came in the UEFA Youth League. Meanwhile, in the U21 side, Biancheri has scored five goals.

READ: Man Utd under-21s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results

Biancheri’s season total is 16 goals and two assists in all competitions so far this season is a pretty immaculate record which makes it quite surprising that he has not been used at a higher level.

Biancheri’s goalscoring record extended to his international duty with Wales’ U19 side – scoring twice and assisting once in two games against Italy.

When playing, Biancheri almost always manages to find a goal and this is a trait which could be very useful for the misfiring Red Devils.

• READ: Who is Ruud van Nistelrooy? Inside the life of Man Utd legend, including his PSV management and coaching career

Ruud van Nistelrooy could find solution to Manchester United goalscoring issues

On Thursday, Manchester United continue the – so far winless – Europa League campaign against PAOK.

This game against far inferior opposition could be the perfect chance for youth to be handed a chance with Jayce Fitzgerald among those hopefuls after he’s clearly impressed Van Nistelrooy.

PAOK have just one point in three games – and for United, it is must win as Erik ten Hag has the team sitting 21st – on the cusp of elimination.

Assuming this game goes to plan, United should win comfortably and Biancheri should be given the chance to play a role in this.

Biancheri as a striker is different from Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund who both have struggled to get goals.

The 18-year-old Welsh striker is more of a fox in the box, a Chicharito-esque number nine who seeks out space in the box and almost always has excellent positioning.

Especially from the bench, Biancheri would benefit from the experience and he deserves it after his hot start to the season – if he scored, then Van Nistelrooy could be handing Amorim a gift, and leaving his mark on the squad.