For the most part of this season, Manchester United has been surrounded by a sense of doom and gloom. Erik ten Hag was expected to lead the Old Trafford team to greater heights during this campaign.

They had won a championship the previous season and had earned a spot in the Champions League for 2023–2024. Regretfully, even with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and company’s arrival, they haven’t been able to break the bad reputation the club has. However, there have been advantages.

A better future has been hinted at by Ratcliffe’s rise and Kobbie Mainoo’s increasing impact.Mainoo-Kobbie-Man-Utd The eighteen-year-old has been outstanding, and he completed an incredible few weeks by earning his first England cap with a lovely curling attempt in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

It was a fantastic outcome for United, and it was particularly meaningful for Willy Kambwala, the centre defender, and Harry Amass, the left back, in addition to Mainoo.

While the latter was included in the senior team for the first time, the former made his Premier League debut. Why did Harry Amass join the team? To his credit, since taking over as the Old Trafford dugout manager, Ten Hag hasn’t been hesitant to offer young players chances.

The match against Liverpool was a timely reminder of it. We understand you’re wondering why a 17-year-old who had never played football for the first team was on the bench. The main cause will be United’s terrible injury issue in the defence.

They had to line up Diogo Dalot, Kambwala, Harry Maguire, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka opposite one another in the back four for the 26th time this past weekend.dalot-man-united-1 diogo The following players missed Sunday’s game: Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof.

As a result, Amass had a fantastic chance to obtain experience on the grandest of stages. Despite only being a teenager, reporter Laurie Whitwell notes that he has been a “standout” for the U18s this season.

Since joining from Watford in the summer of 2023, he has made 19 appearances for United’s minor teams while dishing star three assists. Amass will undoubtedly have an opportunity to play in senior minutes at some point, but Kambwala still scored points.

He grasped the opportunity with great gusto. Kambwala’s numerical performance When United’s backline was revealed on Sunday, players like Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez were undoubtedly licking their tongues.Erik, Ten, Hag, Willy, and Kambwala Even though Salah converted a late penalty, it’s safe to argue that they did not fully capitalise on United’s injury woes.

To put it briefly, Kambwala was outstanding and was even praised as the game’s MVP in certain circles following the conclusion of play. Ten Hag also had some kind words to say. The first half was maybe the best illustration of what the 19-year-old is all about. The defender, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, appeared to have been taken off guard by Nunez at first, but he recovered quickly to pull away and make things difficult for the Liverpool striker.

He won two of his three ground duels and all three of his aerial duels as he exited the field, which was an excellent performance for someone so inexperienced. Liverpool versus Kambwala Played minutes 90 Feels 46 Precise passing 29 out of 36 (81%) Long spheres 2/5 Mistakes 1. Interceptions 2. Attacks 1. Ground fights were won. 2/3 The aerials prevailed. 1/1 Numbers from Sofascore.

Nevertheless, United has another talented young player who might be prepared for first team action shortly. Introducing Shea Lacey. What makes Shea Lacey so fascinating This season, Lacey’s progress has been severely impeded by injury, since he has missed the last four months of play. But he’s back now, and just like Amass before him, he started Sunday’s draw with Liverpool from the bench. Over the past year or two, the teenager—who is astonishingly only 16 years old—has received nothing but positive accolades for his youthful talent. He is already creating waves at the youth team level. Lionel Messi and Phil Foden have already been compared, but although the first example may be a little extreme, the second isn’t.

The teenager, a winger by trade, can play off either side, but his left-wing performances are where he most closely resembles Foden, who is a strong contender for PFA Player of the Year this year. Like the Manchester City treasure, Lacey is of modest build, exhibits deft close control, and frequently rushes towards the penalty area in search of scoring opportunities.

Despite making just eight appearances this season, he has four assists and two goals. Described as having a “left foot made of gold” by scout Jacek Kulig, journalist Alex Turk has called him a “very special” talent. The rise of Kambwala and Amass in the first team picture has been quite abrupt, but it won’t be abrupt when Lacey gets his moment.

This player is exhibiting all the traits of a top player, so it won’t come as a shock when he eventually starts playing under Ten Hag.