- Man United will be without several defenders when they visit Ipswich on Sunday
- Godwill Kukonki trained with the first team this week and has been included in the selection
- Will Ruben Amorim be Man United’s savior? LISTEN NOW: It all starts! Available wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes every Monday and Thursday
Ruben Amorim will bench 16-year-old central defender Godwill Kukonki in his first selection as Manchester United head coach.
Amorim will take charge of the Red Devils for the first time on Sunday during his team’s visit to Ipswich, with the Portuguese boss replacing Erik ten Hag.
United will be without defenders Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof for the trip to Portman Road, with Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez also doubtful.
Teenage centre-back Kukonki will be included in the squad for the first time after impressing in training.
The 1.80 meter tall defender trained with the first team this week and will provide much-needed cover at the back.
Kukonki, who can also play as a left back, shone for the Under-18s and came off the bench for the Under-21s against Forest Green in the National League Cup this season.
Teenage defender Godwill Kukonki has been named in Man United’s squad for Ipswich
Kukonki trained with the first team this week and will provide much-needed defensive cover
Ruben Amorim takes charge of the Red Devils for the first time at Portman Road on Sunday
Ahead of the clash with Ipswich, Amorim spoke about the fitness of some players and the need to manage their workload.
‘We have to see it; we have one more training,” Amorim told the club official site.
‘But Lucas [Shaw]For example, he feels great, but we have to build up his fitness during matches, so we have to be careful.
‘I think he is a very good player so I will look after him and I want to have these kind of players who are important in our team for a long period and not just for a match.
“We’ve got some guys coming back from injury, so we’ve had a few moments together on the indoor court [on] tactical work.
‘We have to keep the load under control this week with a number of national team players [as well]but we are ready to face Ipswich.”
United go into the match with Ipswich twelfth in the Premier League with just fifteen points from their first eleven games this season.
After taking on Ipswich, the Red Devils will host Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League four days later.