Man Utd's young stars offering hope amid club's worst-ever Premier League season (2025)

Man Utd may be enduring their worst-ever Premier League season, but a group of promising youngsters are offering hope of a brighter future ahead for the fallen giants

In his short time in charge of Manchester United, Ruben Amorim has shown he is not afraid of putting his faith in youth.

Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi, Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson, with an average age of 18-and-a-half, have all been handed their United debuts by Amorim.

Toby Collyer, 21, was a regular squad member until a recent injury, while Amorim has also named Academy starlets Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Jack Moorhouse, Sekou Kone, Hubert Graczyk, William Murdock, James Scanlon, Jack Fletcher, Dermot Mee and Elyh Harrison on the United bench in recent weeks.

Injuries to established first-team players, particularly in defence, undoubtedly forced Amorim's hand and meant he had to turn to the Academy to fill the void left in the team and on the bench with the enforced loss of key men.

But it is to Amorim's enduring credit that the United boss gave youth a chance, just as Sir Alex Ferguson did 30 years ago, with Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers.

Despite United losing 1-0 at home to Wolves on Sunday, a record 15th defeat in the Premier League era, two youngsters – Amass and Fredricson – the latter making his first-team debut – showed they have what it takes to play at this level.

Amass, 18, making his first Old Trafford start, impressed in the left wing-back role, getting forward at every opportunity to attack and put in dangerous crosses, while also defending diligently throughout.

One moment in the first-half summed up Amass's coolness under pressure, when he took possession on the edge of his box and shimmied past Marshall Munetsi, before bringing the ball out from the back to start an attack.

In the second-half, Amass underlined his defensive tenacity by twice winning the ball back from Wolves captain Nelson Semedo near the corner flag, before again playing his way out of danger with a pass to Christian Eriksen.

Fredricson, 20, also acquitted himself well on his United debut. No player completed more passes in the first-half than his 39 or recovered more balls than him [six]. He also won 12 duels, more than any other player over the entire match, showing he is not out of place at the highest level.

Another young United defender, Ayden Heaven, is currently sidelined by injury, but prompted Amorim to reveal that his emergence has changed the club's thoughts about needing to go into the market this summer to sign a central defender.

“Sometimes, because of injuries, you find out something else that will be important in the future,” said Amorim earlier this month. “I found out Ayden is ready to stay in our squad and maybe we can change the way we are going to go to the market.”

With Yoro, Dorgu, Amass, Fredricson and Heaven, United have a core of young defenders capable of starring in the first-team for years to come. In midfield, they have Kobbie Mainoo, who has just turned 20, and Collyer, 21.

In attack, it is easy to forget Alejandro Garnacho is still only 20 and Amad Diallo 22, given they have been first-team regulars for much of this season and, in the case of the former, last term.

In Chido, aged just 17, United have a forward with huge potential for the future, but one United youngster who continues to struggle is £72million striker Rasmus Hojlund, 22, who has a solitary goal in his last 28 games and continues to look out of his depth, with a loan move likely next season.

So while United continue to toil this season, with the Europa League their only shot at salvation, it would appear the future is in safe hands with the next generation of Old Trafford stars.

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