The Manchester United academy enjoyed an incredible 2024, which ended with a 5-0 FA Youth Cup win.
The link between the academy and the first-team at Manchester United is as strong as ever. But 2025 under Ruben Amorim could be the year we really see the full potential of some impressive U18s.
Adam Lawrence has turned the U18 team into the best in the country. United won a treble last season and halfway through this season looks good value to repeat or even better this feat.
Miraculously, this has seen an overhaul in the playing group as last year’s U16s have stepped up for United excellently, as expected.
But there is one youngster who has had a particularly smooth time playing for the higher age groups, and he is seen as a Wayne Rooney regen.
Amir Ibragimov could explode to stardom in 2025
The name Amir Ibragimov is one fans have been aware of for a couple of years already.
The Dagestan-born forward has been impressing through the academy and many have been excited to see how his game would translate against bigger and better opposition.
Well in 2024, we got our answer to this as Ibragimov made the step up to not only U18 football but also U21 – at the age of just 16.
Ibragimov has made U18 football look like a walk in the park in his first full season at the level, living up to the hype placed on him in recent years.
He has scored five goals and six assists at U18 level, while at u21 has two goals which have both come against senior opposition.
Taking the increased competition levels in his stride has helped build faith that Ibragimov will become the player that was predicted.
READ: Man Utd under-18s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results
Ruben Amorim will be seeing Wayne Rooney 2.0
Ibragimov looks incredibly polished for his age, and in the EFL Trophy and National League Cup, he’s demonstrated he is physically ready as well.
As a player, Ibragimov shares traits with club legend, Rooney on the pitch and will surely have picked up advice off the field.
The No.10 is a relentless runner and always works hard for the team – like Rooney. Meanwhile, he is also creative, can beat players with skill and also has an eye for goal – just like Rooney.
This work rate combined with elite technical ability is why Ibragimov appears to be the most likely of the U18 forward line to step up in 2025.
Ibragimov’s attitude on the pitch and qualities will also endear him to Ruben Amorim who is expected to give youth a lot of chances.
So in that event, already Ibragimov should be top of Amorim’s list.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/L6uEKqz