Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim could use Rio Ferdinand’s assessment of one first-team player to introduce a new template for the deep integration of academy talent.
Ruben Amorim has not done himself any favours with Manchester United fans in recent days over how he views the youth academy at the Premier League club.
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Amir Ibragimov leads team talk for Manchester United U18s.
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The 40-year-old United manager singled out different talents, both current academy prospects and alumni, as to why he wasn’t using them more often this season.
Amorim’s crosshairs saw the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Chido Obi, Harry Amass and Toby Collyer all met with some strong choice of words as part of his firing line.
The former Sporting CP manager is building a reputation akin to fellow countryman Jose Mourinho with some United supporters over his attitude to the academy.
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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand speaks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup official draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2025 in Washington, DC.
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Rio Ferdinand’s assessment of Luke Shaw should be a real eye-opener for Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim
Luke Shaw might not be a Manchester United youth academy product, but the 30-year-old could play a long-term role for Ruben Amorim in shifting the narrative.
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The England international has become a key United first-team player for Amorim in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign after overcoming an injury-hit spell.
Luke Shaw has impressed in the three-man United backline for Amorim’s tactical system and has been the preferred pick as the left-sided centre-back this season.
The Three Lions star has made 16 appearances in the Premier League in the current campaign and Shaw also has an assist to his name for United.
Does Ruben Amorim need to improve his use of the academy?⭐️
Ruben Amorim in Manchester United attire during loss to Everton.
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Speaking on Manchester United’s official podcast, Rio Ferdinand is impressed with the role that Shaw has now adopted in the three-man defence for the Red Devils.
“I’ve always been one of those guys who said if Luke Shaw’s fit, he plays, for me,” he said on the Inside Carrington podcast.
“I think he’s either left-back or left of a three.
“I think that every facet of his game, he’s solid. He’s really good on the ball, one-v-one situations, he’s really good as well.”
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Rio Ferdinand’s observation of Luke Shaw shows why he should be a role model and mentor for Man Utd academy products
Luke Shaw has been one of the more experienced choices readily available for Ruben Amorim amid the absences of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
Both Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt have been sidelined in recent weeks due to injuries, while Lisandro Martinez is experiencing a phased return from injury.
Amorim has been forced to lean on Shaw’s experience to assist United talent Leny Yoro and academy prospect Ayden Heaven in Premier League matches recently.
Which Manchester United academy midfielder are you most excited about?
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United legend Ferdinand identified that Shaw has been showing important qualities like his “calmness” and his “authority” with how he is composing himself in defence.
“I just think there’s a calmness and there’s an authority with the way he plays in the team now, at this age as well, which is really good,” he said.
Shaw could act as a mentor – and even a role model – for developing United talent at Old Trafford if Amorim wants to bring through players in the long term.
After all, Ayden Heaven is currently part of the United academy set-up and is leaning on the support of Shaw after Amorim recently turned to the former Arsenal talent.
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