After losing ‘everything’, Amorim teases Man Utd debut against Newcastle | OneFootball

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim suggests that Jack Fletcher could earn his full debut against Newcastle on Boxing Day.

The 18-year-old is considered one of the most exciting players in the club’s academy. He is the son of former Man United midfielder Darren Fletcher, and currently plays for the U21 side alongside his twin brother, Tyler.

The attacking midfielder has already earned his maiden appearance with the senior team on Sunday, coming on for Manuel Ugarte in the 73rd minute in the 1-2 defeat against Aston Villa.

Based on Amorim’s words, we should certainly expect to see more of the teenager.

Amorim reveals Jack Fletcher could feature in Man Utd vs Newcastle clash

In his pre-match press conference, the Portuguese manager confirmed that Bruno Fernandes and his main understudy, Kobbie Mainoo, are both ruled out with injuries, leaving him with a depleted midfield department.

But rather than lamenting his luck, the 40-year-old views it as an opportunity to give young players, like Jack Fletcher, the chance to prove their worth at the big stage.

“They (Mainoo and Bruno) are recovering. I don’t think it will take a lot of time,” said Amorim on Tuesday via the Manchester Evening News.

“I think Kobbie will return faster than Bruno. I don’t want to say. I have an idea, of course, but let’s see. We have other players, we need to maybe see different ways of playing.

“I think Jack Fletcher did a very good job (at Villa Park), and that’s why when we have these opportunities, we need to give space to guys like Jack and the other ones.”

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

It should be noted that Shea Lacey also earned a brief cameo in the same contest, and he could be an option in the attacking trident with Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo off to AFCON.

What are Amorim’s options in the absence of Bruno & Mainoo?

With Casemiro back from suspension, he will certainly regain his spot in the middle of the park. But it remains to be seen if Amorim will pair him with Manuel Ugarte, who has been producing under-par displays this season.

Instead of pairing the two holding midfielders, the manager could give the young Fletcher his full debut. His statements suggest that he rates the teenager highly. On the other hand, Lisandro Martinez could fill in in midfield, having already occupied this unconventional role in the second half at Villa Park.

Nevertheless, Amorim still admitted that Bruno is virtually irreplaceable, going on to say that the team loses ‘everything’ in his absence.

“It is impossible to replace Bruno but I say that this morning to the team, I think we need to take the good thing if there is a good thing on that, that a lot of people need to step up.

“It is not just the creation, it is every set piece he is the guy who is organising the team and that is a good opportunity for everyone to step up and understand that we can’t rely on one player for everything. Sometimes we rely on Bruno in the organisation, in the creation.

“We lost Bruno in set pieces we lost Bryan (Mbeumo) in those set pieces so this is massive for the team, but it is an opportunity for players to step up and to show the leadership we need in the team.”