Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim was forced into making several alterations to his starting XI for the game against Ipswich Town on Sunday due to the numerous injuries at the back.
While Harry Maguire has been sidelined for sometime now, both Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof picked up knocks on international duty.
Leny Yoro, despite being part of Amorim’s first training session, is still not ready to be thrown into the deep end and the club is being extra careful with his rehabilitation.
And with so many defenders not there, the Portuguese was forced to start with Jonny Evans on the left of the back three with Noussair Mazraoui on the right.
Academy prospects impressing Amorim
And with the trio expected to remain sidelined for Bodo/Glimt’s visit to Old Trafford, Amorim could turn to the academy to make up the numbers.
As reported by The Manchester Evening News, Jack Kingdon is in line to be included in the matchday squad after recently being called up to senior team training by the new head coach.
The likes of Harry Amass, Louis Jackson, Habeeb Ogunneye were all called up the UEFA Youth League squad, which makes their presence unlikely.
Apart from Kingdon, Godwill Kukonki might also find a place on the bench for Thursday’s Europa League clash. The 16-year-old has impressed Amorim and even travelled with the team to Ipswich, even though he did not feature on the bench.
Kingdon, Kukonki to be selected
“Manchester United youngster Jack Kingdon is in contention to be included in the Europa League squad to face Bodo/Glimt. Godwill Kukonki might also make the Europa League squad after travelling down to Portman Road.
“United will host an open training session at Carrington at 11am on Wednesday ahead of facing Bodo/Glimt and the absence of senior centre-backs could see Kingdon involved with the senior squad for the first time in his career when Norwegian side visit Old Trafford on Thursday.”
Both Kingdon and Kukonki are not on United’s Europa League B List but can be included as long as United submit new additions to UEFA before midnight one day prior to the game.
With teams allowed to name a 23-man squad in the Europa League, both could feature on the bench for the first time in their careers on Thursday.
Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
