"Amorim has stressed previously he feels the academy is doing a good job. He has also said he will not break the proud record that dates back to 1937 of United having at least one homegrown player in the matchday squad. United are paying a lot of attention to the academy. They hired Stephen Torpey from Brentford to lead it and, last night, 15-year-old star forward JJ Gabriel was in the directors' box at Old Trafford to watch the 1-1 draw with West Ham."
"Yet, actual playing time for the club's academy players at first team level has been limited. Mainoo and local-born defender Tyler Fredricson both started the EFL Cup defeat to League Two Grimsby in August. Fredricson has not played another minute for the first team since, while Mainoo has featured for 171 minutes across nine substitute appearances in the Premier League. He came on in the final minute at Crystal Palace at the weekend and remained on the bench throughout the West Ham game, when Amorim used five substitutes."
"When Mainoo was injured, Jack Fletcher, son of former United midfielder and current Under-18s coach Darren, was on the bench for the draw at Tottenham last month. For the last three games, England Under-20 forward Shea Lacey was an unused substitute. "I just want to win," said Amorim. "I don't look (at) who it is, I don't care about that, I'm just trying to put the best players on the pitch." Mainoo's problem is that Amorim sees him in competition with skipper Bruno Fernandes, who has not been replaced since the win at Liverpool on 19 October six games ago."
Ruben Amorim defended not starting any academy player in the Premier League this season and reiterated his reasons for limiting Kobbie Mainoo's opportunities. He expressed confidence in the academy and refused to break Manchester United's long-standing record of including at least one homegrown player in matchday squads. United has invested in the academy structure, hiring Stephen Torpey and showcasing youth prospects, yet first-team minutes remain scarce. Mainoo has accumulated 171 minutes over nine substitute appearances, Tyler Fredricson has not featured since an EFL Cup start, and Amorim says he selects players he believes give the best chance to win.
Read at www.bbc.com
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