While it has been straightforward to critique Manchester United’s recruitment errors in recent years, there are instances where they have made commendable decisions. As Ruben Amorim strategizes his rebuilding efforts at Old Trafford, he has at least a few players who indicate a more promising future.
Despite their achievements in the Europa League this season, United’s journey back to the pinnacle of football is fraught with challenges. Currently, they find themselves in 15th place following a disappointing domestic campaign. Nevertheless, there are glimmers of hope and potential for the years ahead.
Academy graduates Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho embody this optimism. The duo, both 20 years old, has experienced a mix of success under Amorim thus far and may find their prospects in the limelight again this summer.
They possess the requisite talent to contribute to the team, even as they adjust to new roles within an unfamiliar system. It would be regrettable and likely unwise for United to consider selling either player. They represent valuable assets at a time when the club needs to generate revenue, and their sale would be recorded as pure profit under PSR regulations.
While it is possible that neither will feature in Amorim’s strongest starting eleven at the beginning of the next season, they are expected to have significant roles in the future. Two young players whose immediate futures are assured are Amad, aged 22, and Leny Yoro, aged 19.
United invested in both as teenagers, and the total expenditure of £96 million is starting to appear as a bargain as they continue to develop. Amad’s journey has been tumultuous since his £37 million transfer from Atalanta, and there were moments when the initial £19 million fee, along with an additional £18 million in performance-related bonuses, seemed excessive. However, the forward persevered. A fruitful loan period at Sunderland revealed his potential, and his progress over the past year has been remarkable.
Had he not experienced a recent three-month injury hiatus, he could have been in contention with Bruno Fernandes for player of the year accolades. However, upon entering the match as a second-half substitute against Athletic Bilbao, he demonstrated that the injury had not diminished his performance.
His direct approach and dribbling skills significantly influenced the game, making a strong case for his inclusion in the starting lineup for the Europa League final against Tottenham. The image of Amad, isolated and surrounded by four defenders in blue, evokes memories of the iconic photograph of Diego Maradona facing six Belgian defenders in an Argentina jersey.
This is not to equate their talents, but Amad’s ability to draw defenders towards him is invaluable in creating opportunities for his teammates. Currently, the dilemma lies in whether the Ivorian will be utilized as a wing-back or as a No. 10 in Amorim’s tactical setup. In the immediate future, he may be deployed on the right flank, yet it appears that Amorim envisions him as one of his attacking midfielders, a role that seems fitting given his capabilities.
He is poised to become a mainstay in this team for many years. The same can be said for Yoro, who was signed for an initial £52 million from Lille last summer. United secured his signature over Real Madrid, but he faced a setback with a foot injury during his second pre-season match, delaying his debut until December.
By that time, the manager who had recruited him had departed, and he was being asked to adapt to a back three system that was new to him. He is now beginning to showcase why many experts regard him as the finest young centre-back in Europe, and the comparisons to Rio Ferdinand are becoming increasingly plausible. His defensive skills are solid, yet there remains significant potential for growth given his youth in that position, and his composure on the ball is particularly striking.
Yoro is increasingly demonstrating confidence in advancing the ball, a crucial ability for a wide centre-back in a back three formation. He is becoming a more regular presence in the attacking third. He assisted Mason Mount’s first goal against Athletic, and this unpredictability can serve as a significant asset within United’s strategy.
While there are certainly aspects of this squad that require enhancement, and numerous instances of financial misallocation, both Amad and Yoro appear to possess generational talent and have the potential to be integral to a successful team under Amorim.
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