Ruben Amorim must be grasping for any positives after Man Utd’s Brentford loss, and he might just have a big one waiting for a chance in the academy after his latest performance.
The mood around Man Utd has been punctured after the 3-1 loss to Brentford prevented the club from taking a big step forward, again.
Ruben Amorim is under the scanner after another poor performance, and refereeing controversy aside, there weren’t many positives to pick out.
However, he has a big positive itching for a chance in the academy. He’s someone who might just be the next David Beckham, if his latest performance is any indication.
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty ImagesRuben Amorim reminded of Jim Thwaites
It was during the post-season tour of last year when Jim Thwaites went from being the academy’s best-kept secret to the mainstream.
Ruben Amorim named Thwaites as one of the players he’ll always have space for in the team, which was a huge statement of trust in a player who had turned 17 in December.
Thwaites’ set-piece prowess has been making waves in the academy since the age of 15, drawing comparisons to David Beckham, and he has started to add more skills to his game this season.
After Man Utd U18s’ recent game against Man City, Thwaites is quickly becoming the top contender for the next academy graduate to debut under Amorim.
Despite the game ending in a 4-2 loss for Darren Fletcher’s young Reds, Thwaites stood out in the way he does best – a laser-guided free-kick in the first half to double the team’s lead.
Those who follow the academy know that kind of a free-kick is run-of-the-mill for Thwaites, but the more encouraging part is his general level of play.
Ruben Amorim has an easy way out at Man Utd
For a manager who came to Old Trafford on the back of a sterling reputation for developing youth players, his treatment of the same at United has been baffling.
Forget playing youth players; he hasn’t even preferred established young players over older ones in the first team, as evidenced by the likes of Leny Yoro, Senne Lammens or Kobbie Mainoo.
Amorim would have a much longer rope at United if he just stayed true to the traditions of the club, making the defeats more palatable.
Players like Thwaites or Shea Lacey are itching for a chance in the first team, and giving the supporters a glimpse at the future is an easy way out to relieve some pressure.
They are good enough, and it won’t be undeserved, especially with the results of the older players clear for everyone to see.