Ruben Amorim had a great track record of working with younger players at Sporting Lisbon.
It is likely one characteristic that helped Ruben Amorim land the Manchester United job this season with Ineos wanting to focus on youth development at Old Trafford.
During his time in Portugal, 27 academy stars debuted under Ruben Amorim which shows just how willing he is to work with young talent.
Ineos have shifted United’s transfer strategy since the takeover, with club chiefs wanting to target up-and-coming prospects rather than big-name stars. For that strategy to work, a head coach who is good at developing youngsters is crucial.
In his first month at United, Amorim has already got his eyes on one youngster with 16-year-old Godwill Kukonki included in a matchday squad just days after he was called up for first-team training.
Average age of Man United squad vs Man City
Amorim has already gravitated towards several young first-team stars he clearly believes can thrive.
Amad Diallo was “electric” against Man City on Sunday and is playing the best football of his career under Amorim. The 22-year-old was just one of several youngsters who were central to United’s success at the Etihad Stadium.
Amorim fielded 16 players against City with all five substitutions made before the full-time whistle. The average age of the players used was just 24.8 years old.
19-year-old duo Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo were the youngest on the pitch, while Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof dragged the median age up as the only three players aged 30 or older.
The front three that Amorim started with against City had an average age of just 22.6 years old with Mason Mount and Amad starting either side of Rasmus Hojlund.
According to Transfermarkt, the average age of players used by United in the 2024/25 season is 25.8, so Amorim’s selection against City was heavily dependent on his youngster stars stepping up.
Ruben Amorim will succeed with Man United’s youth
Working with youth is always an expectation of any United manager, and in Amorim, the club has secured a head coach who is not afraid to give younger players a chance.
United have an extremely exciting batch of youngsters currently coming through the club. The Under-18s boast a flawless league record with 10 wins in 10 matches – scoring 46 while only conceding four.
Jack Moorhouse was immaculate in front of Amorim this week after the Portuguese was in attendance to watch United’s academy side thump Southampton 5-1 at Carrington.
Chido Obi-Martin will also be targeting a first-team breakthrough to follow in the footsteps of Kukonki, and Amorim will surely have his eye on United’s deadly summer signing.
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