MANCHESTER UNITED look set to name 16-year-old wonderkid Godwill Kukonki in Ruben Amorim’s squad to face back in-form Arsenal.
It comes after the Red Devils were again hit with a defensive crisis after Luke Shaw‘s injury set-back and Lisandro Martinez’s suspension.
Kukonki, who hails at 6ft 5in, was pictured travelling down with the squad to North London on Tuesday afternoon.
He also went along to Portman Road for Amorim’s Prem debut against Ipswich but was not included in the matchday squad.
But given United’s lack of depth at the back, Kukonki looks set to be named in his first Prem squad against Arsenal, according to Manchester Evening News.
Left-footed centre-back Kukonki is highly rated at the club, having impressed with the Under-18s, who look to be heading to their second successive Premier League this season.
READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
It is believed that he has the “technical and physical qualities” needed to star in senior football before he turns 17 in February 2025.
It comes as United are missing FIVE defenders for their trip to the Emirates.
Shaw, 29, had just returned to action late last month following a nine month spell on the sidelines due to problems with his knee and calf.
The full-back made three appearances from the bench against Ipswich Town, Bodo/Glimt and Everton since his return to fitness.
Most read in Football
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
However, the England international suffered another minor injury after the weekend, with fans hoping he’d start in the back-three in the absence of Martinez.
Argentinian star Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo are both suspended after picking up their fifth yellow cards of the season against Everton.
Victor Lindelof’s groin issues has left him ruled out, while Jonny Evans is still being assessed following a knock against Ipswich.
Amorim could be eyeing his first defeat in the United dugout tonight.
Evans was not included in United’s 4-0 win over Everton on Sunday and summer signing Leny Yoro is working his way back to fitness.
The Gunners are looking to extend their run to four consecutive wins as they climbed to second in the Prem.
Mikel Arteta’s side have scored 13 GOALS in their last three games against Nottingham Forest, Sporting and West Ham.
Man Utd ratings vs Everton as Zirkzee answers his critics in style… but one midfielder struggles
RUBEN AMORIM celebrated his first Premier League game at Old Trafford with a stunning 4-0 victory over Everton.
Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee shook off questions over their recent form with two each at a thrilled Old Trafford – as the Red Devils won a Prem game by four goals or more since the opening day of the 2021-22 season.
Here’s how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the Red Devils…
ANDRE ONANA – 6
Called into action early and showed growing his growing composure as No 1.
NOUSSAIR MAZROUI – 6
Has rapidly become one of the United faithful’s favourites doing himself no harm again.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
Stretched at first by bustling Beto but beginning to look like he’s settling down in a back three.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6
Once again looking like the master and commander of the United rearguard.
AMAD DIALLO – 8
Went from wasteful to the plundering terror of centre backs Branthwaite and Tarkowski.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 6
Quiet, calm, controlled, no panic, no loss of possession, no problem for the midfielder.
CASEMIRO – 5
Looked like his lack of pace might be a problem again in central midfield but ground it out.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Enjoying life in his new left-side forward role and didn’t really put a foot wrong.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 8
Transformed himself from headless chicken to tripling his whole United tally with two clinical strikes.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 9
Ruben Amorim has gone out of his way to big up the front man and he’s responding in style.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 6
Wasteful for a while but got his head down to have a real influence by the end.
SUBS
LUKE SHAW (Mazraoui 56) – 5
Comfortably easing himself back.
HARRY MAGUIRE (de Ligt 56) – 5
Looked happy to be out there.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (Fernandes 66) – 5
Got bustling off the bench.
MANUEL UGARTE (Casemiro 66) – 5
Will be wanting more minutes than this.
MASON MOUNT (Mainoo 80) – 5
Sharp and up for it.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
