Despite the summer of change Manchester United’s academy has undergone, the U18s haven’t missed a beat, starting the season on fire.
After two incredible years, the Manchester United U18s were expected to slow down slightly this season with several impacting factors.
First, Adam Lawrence left United to seek new challenges, which turned out to be Newcastle United’s U21 side, as he will now face a meeting with Travis Binnion in April.
In addition to this blow, United academy director Nick Cox is leaving, accepting the role of Everton’s technical director. Cox is being replaced by Brentford’s Stephen Torpey, who will take over gradually, as there will be a transition period.
The final factor has been the main stars of Lawrence’s U18s side have now stepped up to U21 football, with names like Gabriele Biancheri, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, and James Scanlon all gone.
Darren Fletcher took over as United U18s head coach this summer and has a very young side, which has now seen new leaders stepping up, with one in particular catching the eye.
Amir Ibragimov celebrates scoring for Manchester United's u18 side.
Photo by Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images
Darren Fletcher praises Amir Ibragimov’s development at Manchester United
With 14-year-old JJ Gabriel becoming an U18 phenom and 15-year-old Kai Rooney showing promising signs, United have no shortage of talent in the U18s.
However, it is 17-year-old Amir Ibragimov who has made the biggest impression this season.
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The Dagestan-born midfielder has three goals and an assist in three games this campaign, establishing himself as the go-to guy this year.
Discussing Ibragimov’s role after United’s U18s beat Brighton 4-0 this week, Fletcher spoke to MUTV in glowing terms about his captain.
“He’s [Amir] grown as a leader, I think he’s had leadership capabilities in him, and he’s demanding at times, demanding of himself and of his teammates.
“But I think he’s really grown in terms of taking that responsibility of leading the team and also being empathetic at times and setting the standard himself, and he’s been fantastic.
“I think he is relishing being captain. He knows he’s got to set the standard with his performance and the rest follows.”
On the pitch, Ibragimov plays like a captain and has become a really well-rounded number eight for United. The future looks very bright.
Manchester United’s DNA is inspiring Darren Fletcher’s U18 side
Fletcher not only has Ibragimov developing well, but the entire team looks really impressive, especially going forward.
Speaking about his side’s attacking quality, Fletcher has name-dropped some of the legends that he has been showing clips of
“Our fast attacks are proper United. I have been showing them the old clips of, well, not me, but Rooney, Ronaldo, Ji-Sung Park counter-attack goals, Giggs, and Kanchelskis.
“Trying to show them a bit of that Man United DNA, and that came out today, which is fantastic.”
This is the manner in which United fans want to see football played, so tuning in to watch the U18s on MUTV should be a must.