Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has outlined a clear strategy to navigate the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, confirming he will turn to the club's academy stars for cover rather than delving into the January transfer market.
Amorim's Academy Reliance
The Red Devils are braced for a significant squad depletion when the tournament in Morocco kicks off on December 21 and concludes on January 18. Key players including top scorer Bryan Mbeumo, winger Amad, and defender Noussair Mazraoui are expected to depart for international duty.
This exodus, combined with an injury to striker Benjamin Sesko, leaves Amorim with a severely limited forward line. Joshua Zirkzee remains the only senior alternative, having played just 82 Premier League minutes this season and being linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
No Rash January Signings
Despite the looming personnel crisis, United's plan is to avoid panic buys in the winter window. The club's priority remains signing a midfielder next summer, and they intend to utilise their internal resources to manage the challenging period.
Amorim has already demonstrated this approach. In the recent draw with Tottenham, he called upon Jack Fletcher, son of United legend Darren, to maintain the club's remarkable record of naming an academy product in every matchday squad for 87 consecutive years.
Potential Academy Solutions
Should the need for attacking reinforcements arise, several youth prospects are waiting in the wings. Chido Obi, who featured eight times under Amorim last season, could see a return to the first-team fold.
Other options include Gabriele Biancheri, who has scored four goals in 11 appearances for the under-21s this term, matching the tally of fellow striker Obi. Winger Shea Lacey has also impressed with three goals in nine outings.
Speaking after the Tottenham match, Amorim acknowledged the problem but highlighted the difficulties of squad management. "Of course, we are going to have a problem there [with AFCON]," he admitted. "But we already knew. Then you can prepare that in the summer, but then you have a lot of players in the summer who are not going to play because it's one game per week. So the management of that situation is going to be hard."
While not completely ruling out January activity, the Portuguese coach suggested any signing must be the right fit. "But let's see when the window is open, if we can improve the team and try to prepare something that happened," Amorim added. "Until then, we have to take the chance."
This period will serve as a major test of United's squad depth and faith in their youth system, with the club opting for a long-term vision over a short-term transfer fix.
