Man United’s latest teenage sensation could get a baptism of fire by being included in the squad to face Southampton this evening.
Godwill Kukonki has impressed Ruben Amorim since he arrived at the club and the current defensive crisis has opened up a door.
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Kukonki travelled with United’s matchday squad for Amorim’s first Premier League game – a 1-1 draw away against Ipswich Town.
He was not named among the substitutes at Portman Road, but his presence on the team bus was a sign of how highly he is rated.
Amorim’s thread-bare options in defence earlier this season saw him put Kukonki on his bench against Arsenal before he was in the squad again against Newcastle last month.
And now he’s back in the team at Old Trafford against Southampton.
The 16-year-old is a natural centre-back, but has played the majority of his U18 games for Man United out on the left this season.
The budding defender is one of the tallest players in his age range at a whopping 6ft 5ins, which is an inch taller than Harry Maguire.
His imposing physique, coupled with his versatility to play at left-back for the U18s, has already earned him comparisons to Josko Gvardiol.
Kukonki could solve a problem area for Amorim, who has continued using a back-three in his favoured formation since his arrival.
The teenager hasn’t been thrust in from the start, but his inclusion in a United squad will represent a major career milestone.
The Red Devils signed right-footed defenders Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt this summer, but are believed to remain keen on a left-footer.
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talkSPORT revealed in December that United are plotting a fresh move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite next summer.
They had two offers for the England international worth up to £50million rejected before the start of this season.
While the 22-year-old remains high up on their wish-list, his Old Trafford audition earlier this season went poorly as Everton lost 4-0.
Kukonki, who also has a natural ability to play with his left, could spare the club from having to match Everton‘s £80m price tag.
The 16-year-old turned heads at Carrington after joining the senior stars in training during Amorim’s first week of United training.
He is yet to make his Premier League 2 debut but has got an assist in his only UEFA Youth League outing from left-back last month.
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Kukonki has scored one goal and registered an assist in his nine appearances for United’s Under-18s so far.
He did make a brief cameo outing in the National League Cup as United’s Under-21s beat Forest Green Rovers 3-2 in October.
And since then, he’s featured for the U21s against in the Premier League international cup.
