Ruben Amorim has seen pressure ramp up this week with Manchester United supporters annoyed after the 1-1 draw with Fulham.
In isolation, a point away from home to Fulham is not a terrible result for any team, but Manchester United’s frustration has more to do with an accumulation.
The performance against Fulham was good at times, if a little inconsistent, with the second-half very poor from Ruben Amorim’s side.
Ultimately, Amorim’s in-game decision making cost United the win and in particular the midfield seems a problem the club cannot avoid in the next few days before deadline day.
However, above all else, Amorim’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo has left many fans annoyed and taking the side of the midfielder over what he stands for being an academy graduate.
Without Mainoo, United don’t really have a first-team academy player and this would be a catastrophe, but Amorim can respond against Grimsby.
Jim Thwaites dribbling with ball for Manchester United U18s.
Photo by Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images
Most exciting line-up Manchester United could name to face Grimsby
This season, Amorim hasn’t given a single minute to an academy player which is completely against what the club is all about.
Many fans are now beginning to worry that Amorim will bring an end to the 88 year record stretching back to 1937 of having an academy player in every single matchday squad, spanning over 4,000 games.
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For many, this is a non-negotiable, so if Amorim turns his back on this, it would see his support disappear.
So on a week when Amorim is being called out for this, he has the chance to silence his doubters and respond by putting faith in the youth against Grimsby.
JJ Gabriel is eligible to make his debut, which would be the ultimate statement from the head coach of his dedication to youth. Last week, Amorim and Gabriel were pictured together, which could suggest an outside chance of involvement.
However, even if the 14-year-old isn’t in mind, there is an exciting side Amorim could pick which could definitely beat Grimsby while showing his dedication to youth.
Here is that exciting side.
Okay so Tom Heaton isn’t a youngster, but seeing the long term club servant get a chance, for potentially the last time, to represent United is a story we want to see happen.
He is a model professional, and with the hypothetical youthful side we are pitching, he would bring vital experience.
Tyler Fredricson is one who is likely to play against Grimsby anyway, and that is exciting as he has often impressed when given the chance.
Amorim debuted Fredricson last season and he has been part of the first-team ever since.
Another player likely to play against Grimsby is Ayden Heaven, but seeing the £1.5m signing in action is always exciting.
Heaven has been flawless for United and immediately looked like a bargain after arriving from Arsenal, he could put in a performance to challenge Luke Shaw for the starting berth.
Making his debut in our very hypothetical youth based side to take on Grimsby, Godwill Kukonki would finally be in line for his debut.
Amorim immediately took a liking to Kukonki and his recent performances in the academy have shown great improvements, he is ready for this level of opposition.
On the right, Bendito Mantato is a youngster who is already firmly in the mind of Amorim. Over the summer, Mantato’s squad number was upgraded and he was brought on tour with the first-team.
Mantato is a future England international and he makes academy football look easy, so getting a chance against League Two opposition would be very exciting to see how he fares.
United are more than likely to hold onto the ball for large periods of the game, and so there would be no midfielder better to play in the number six than Jim Thwaites.
In the academy, there isn’t a midfielder better on the ball than Thwaites and he could really dominate proceedings for United in a game like this.
Amorim was impressed by Thwaites during the post-season tour and so if he wants a midfielder who is both press resistant, has intensity and can pass, then he should debut Thwaites. He is one of the most exciting players in the academy and absolutely one to watch.
There will be riots from United fans if Kobbie Mainoo isn’t starting against Grimsby, and it would also signal that the midfielder is set to depart.
Real Madrid are the latest club to target Mainoo, United cannot afford to lose him.
Diego Leon smiles playing for Manchester United.
Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Manchester United via Getty Images
On the left, we expect to see a debut for Diego Leon.
Patrick Dorgu has been far from convincing in the opening two games of the season and Leon will see a chance to push himself closer to a first choice battle.
In the number 10 roles, there are an abundance of options with Amir Ibragimov one we would love to see, but Jack Fletcher is simply a must for Amorim.
Even in reality, Amorim should be planning a debut for Fletcher as he is more than ready, especially against League Two opponents.
On the left, we would pick to see James Scanlon finally given the debut he has been deserving of for the best part of 2025.
Scanlon is a Gibraltar senior international so has first team experience, but his academy performances are undeniable for Amorim and this is the best chance to debut him. Perhaps then JJ Gabriel off the bench in this scenario.
Seeing Benjamin Sesko starting would be exciting for United, but also an unnecessary risk in a game United should win easily and so starting academy graduate Chido Obi could also be an option.
It would be a chance for the teenager to get off the mark for United and build some confidence.
Manchester United possible XI vs Grimsby / GRV Media line-up tool
Manchester United possible XI vs Grimsby / GRV Media line-up tool