Manchester United U21s season preview: Three academy stars set for breakthrough

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Manchester United U21s kick off their season on Monday night at home to Ipswich Town.

Adam Lawrence’s side finished joint top of the Premier League 2 table last season before narrowly losing in the play-off finals.

The talent on display was evident last season in what was arguably the best U21s team in the country, many of whom went on to take part in Michael Carrick’s pre-season.

These include Shea Lacey, who now looks to have taken a permanent step into the first team, and a number of others are expected to leave on loan, just as the U21s captain Jacob Devaney has done.

As a result, it is a chance for last year’s U18s to step up and make a mark at U21s level, and we look at three who are destined to do so.

Amir Ibragimov

Hampered by injuries last season, Ibragimov’s initial hype in the academy has fallen by the wayside in recent times as other stars shone while he was sidelined. But now back fit, the youngster’s talent is not one to ignore, as he is certain to be one of the U21s’ star players this campaign.

A senior Russian international, Ibragimov has some senior football experience under his belt, which he has taken to seamlessly.

Despite standing at just 1.73m tall, the 18-year-old’s physicality and doggedness give him a competitive advantage compared to his peers, as he has shown he does not need time adapting to the fight of first team football.

At just 16, Ibragimov put in two stellar performances against senior opposition in the National League Cup, scoring two goals in wins over Altrincham and Rochdale. The youngster’s dynamism makes him an exciting talent to watch and has garnered comparisons to Wayne Rooney.

Similar to Rooney, he has the versatility to play across the front line but has increasingly shown an adeptness at dropping into midfield with a willingness to put in a tackle.

With exceptional technique on the ball and a low centre of gravity, he offers drive through the central areas that can unpick even the tightest of backlines.

Yuel Helafu

Still eligible for U18s football, Helafu began the season with Darren Fletcher’s squad for their season opener against Manchester City, where he was arguably the best player on the pitch.

But having already made nine appearances with the U21s last season, it can be expected that Helafu will make a full-time step up and only drop down to the U18s for their big matches.

An unorthodox right-back, Helafu does not typically fly up and down the wing like a conventional full-back would be expected to. Instead, the 17-year-old follows a more recent trend of tucking inside to increase numbers in midfield and fill gaps as he exerts his control on the game.

This style of play has worked to great effect in the academy in the past year, as Helafu was one of the standout performers en route to two cup finals last season. Rewarded for those performances, Helafu received his first England youth call-ups in May for a pair of friendlies.

Helafu’s strengths align with the needs of the first team, which makes him such an exciting prospect for fans.

With Amad Diallo often hugging the touchline on the right, it allows the right-back to tuck inside and support the midfield, which has been United’s weakness for many seasons. It is a feature that has been attempted by Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui to inconsistent results but fits Helafu’s style much more seamlessly, making him a good option in the future.

Godwill Kukonki

With recent news that Kukonki will be staying at United following rumours of a potential departure in the summer, United fans can be excited to see more of Kukonki in the U21s.

A regular feature at both left-back and centre-back, it was the wide roles in which Kukonki impressed most last season.

Standing at 1.96m tall, the youngster displays nimble footwork on the ball alongside a powerful charge that at times makes him an unstoppable force galloping down the wing.

His physicality is often his most noticeable feature due to his size, but he is capable of impressing with his technique on the ball as well, particularly his range of passing.

What will be most important to see this season, though, is his concentration at the back. When playing at centre-back in the past, he has had troubles with his positioning and being alive to runners.

There are gaps to his game, but at 18 years old, he has all the tools to be a big talent if he can put them together under the tutelage of Adam Lawrence.

Featured image Ben Roberts photo via Getty Images