Ruben Amorim’s [lack of] use of the academy has become a hot topic among Man Utd fans, and it’s not helped by the fact that a star he created out of nowhere last season is MIA now.
The Man Utd manager hasn’t been shy about admitting the fact that the trust in youth last season was borne out of necessity rather than willingness.
Ruben Amorim’s statement about Chido Obi confirmed the same, and that stance is proving true this season as youngsters have been left wanting for game time.
Does Ruben Amorim need to improve his use of the academy?⭐️
Ruben Amorim in Manchester United attire during loss to Everton.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
It brings into sharp focus a player he brought to the fore out of nowhere last season, and raved about, only to banish him this season.
Tyler Fredricson, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven
Photo by AJ Reynolds/Getty Images
The curious situation of Tyler Fredricson
There wasn’t much to celebrate at Man Utd last season in a season straight from hell, but Tyler Fredricson personified the ethos of the club.
Thrust into the starting lineup out of nowhere despite not being talked about as one of the “exciting” prospects in the academy, he emerged from that trial by fire with his reputation enhanced.
Amorim is pretty reserved when it comes to showering praise on youngsters, but he broke the trend to praise Fredricson.
More United News
People at Carrington raved about his professionalism, and in a team in free-fall in the league, Fredricson showed maturity and composure to become a genuine first-team player out of nowhere.
Enter the 2025/26 season, and Fredricson’s sole first-team appearance is a 45-minute disaster against Grimsby Town in *THAT* Carabao Cup.
Since being subbed off at half-time in that game, Fredricson has made the matchday squad for the senior team just thrice, let alone get more minutes.
Since the game against Sunderland at the start of October, Fredricson has gone missing in action completely for the senior team, not even making the squad for the U21s side since late October.
This might very well be injury-related at this point, because even Ayden Heaven has turned out for the U21s. If so, it’s a brutal turn of events for a player who would have been hoping to kick on this season.
What next for Fredricson?
Fredricson’s last appearance of any kind at Man Utd came in the U21s’ 5-2 defeat against Barnsley on October 21, where he played the full game.
Are you confident Manchester United will beat West Ham?
Clearly, his confidence would have taken a hit from losses against Grimsby and Barnsley, because he didn’t cover himself in glory in either game.
There has been no clarity from the club on whether his absence since the Barnsley game is injury-related, but it is likely to be, since sitting on the sidelines at the age of 20 doesn’t help anyone.
If that is the case, then his first focus will be on recovering properly and probably seeking a loan move in January to get senior football.
His experience at Man Utd is likely to get interest from second or third-division clubs, which would be ideal since he’s clearly not going to get minutes at Old Trafford anymore.
It’s a shame what’s happened to Fredricson, as he genuinely looked like a solid squad option for the defence last season under difficult circumstances.