Manchester United were 1-0 victors over Peterborough in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night, heading into the next round and continuing a winning streak.
Having stumbled earlier this season, Darren Fletcher’s U18 side is back on form, having won three on the bounce across all competitions.
Manchester United have scored 11 and conceded zero in these games, with JJ Gabriel racking up four goals in the run, establishing himself as the star of the academy right now and the U18s main man.
However, for all the positives coming out of the past few games, the team right now is not as strong as it should be, with some key absentees creating an over-reliance on Gabriel and Jim Thwaites in midfield.
Now, the reason behind star 17-year-old Amir Ibragimov’s absence has been revealed.
Amir Ibragimov celebrates by pointing to the sky for Manchester United.
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Earlier this season, Ibragimov was on fire for United in the U18 and U21 sides, standing out as a top-class prospect and the shining light of Fletcher’s side.
Fletcher said Ibragimov was setting the standards, and so his absence from the FA Youth Cup squad is surely a sore miss, with Jariyah Shah his replacement.
WHERE does Amir Ibragimov rank in Man United’s most exciting prospects list?⭐️🤔
Amir Ibragimov and Shea Lacey in Manchester United U21 action.
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
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His absence was under the radar, but now BBC Sport’s Simon Stone has reported that Ibragimov has missed out due to having a broken foot.
Without the Dagestan-born talent, United’s midfield struggles with progression and intensity, with his all-action style irreplaceable.
United have been re-inventing Ibragimov as a midfielder this season, and his return really cannot come soon enough.
Ibragimov could be Ruben Amorim’s future Bruno Fernandes replacement
When Ruben Amorim arrived at the club, Ibragimov was tipped to be a player he would be a big fan of, and since then, the wonderkid has only improved.
From an exciting number 10 who could score and assist, Ibragimov has turned himself into a box-to-box midfielder, with the technical and attacking qualities to play the Bruno Fernandes role, along with the running and intensity to tick that box for Amorim.
While out injured right now, Ibragimov could be a surprise breakout for United later this season, assuming the head coach begins trusting the academy more as the Red Devils improve.
There is absolutely a place for Ibragimov in Amorim’s team, and United will be hoping he can return better than ever.
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