Manchester United could return from the March international break with a defensive injury crisis after Ayden Heaven was stretchered off in Sunday's 3-0 win against Leicester City. Ruben Amorim didn't have another centre-back available on his bench at the King Power Stadium, prompting Toby Collyer's introduction at right-wing-back with Noussair Mazraoui dropping into the back three.
Lisandro Martinez could be out of action until 2026 after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury in February. Meanwhile, Jonny Evans' return timeline is unknown, Leny Yoro picked up a foot injury against Arsenal on March 9, and Harry Maguire is absent from Thomas Tuchel's first England squad. Luke Shaw, like Mazraoui, is comfortable as a wide centre-back, but Amorim won't be betting on his return, either.
Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof are currently the Portuguese tactician's only natural centre-back options for the daunting trip to Nottingham Forest at the start of April.
If the situation doesn't change, there is one youth player who Amorim is almost certain to call upon for the clash against the Champions League chasers at the City Ground.
Amorim took a closer look at a large group of academy players in first-team training after replacing Erik ten Hag as United boss in November.
Godwill Kukonki stood among the starlets who impressed the 40-year-old the most and travelled to Ipswich Town for his first match in charge.
While he didn't make the matchday squad at Portman Road, Kukonki later made the bench for Premier League games against Arsenal, Newcastle United and Southampton.
Kukonki is an England Under-17 international and has already played for United's Under-21s. He fits the same profile as Heaven.
The 17-year-old is also left-footed and stands at 6ft 4, with United coaches said to believe he boasts technical and physical qualities that make him already primed for senior football.
In December, Amorim made no secret of how highly he rated Kukonki, admitting himself that he thought the teenager was ready to step up if required.
He said: "He's 16, but he impressed me a lot, so it's also a sign to the youth players that they can be here.
"If something happened with the first team, they have to step up, and I think he's ready; he's very adult to handle the Premier League's demands."
Kukonki may well be required for the trip to Forest and could now be the hot favourite among United's academy talent to become the 254th such debutant in the club's history.