Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has included Godwill Kukonki in the first-team matchday squad for the first time, according to Academy Scoop.
The Academy Scoop is a reputable source for youth football transfer news and analysis, with specific coverage and focus on Man United’s academy.
They have claimed on social media platform X that the 16-year-old defender is in the squad for the trip to Ipswich Town.
Kukonki has impressed Amorim in the training sessions since the Portuguese started work on Monday, and he has been rewarded with a spot in the team.
The teenage sensation joined Man United when he was five, signing a scholarship deal in the summer.
He trained with the first team for the first time on Monday.
Kukonki has impressed with his performances for the Red Devils under-18s in the eight appearances he has made in the U18 Premier League so far and has also been a regular with the under-21s.
The versatile defender, who can also play at left-back, has started once in the UEFA Youth League.
Amorim handed senior debuts to 27 players from the Sporting CP academy during his time as their manager.
While Kukonki is unlikely to make his Premier League debut today, he could be inching closer to it.
Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo established themselves as first-team regulars under former Man United boss Erik ten Hag, and Kukonki could soon follow suit under Amorim.
He has taken his chance in just a few training sessions, and more youth players will be desperate to impress the manager if given the opportunity to train with the first-team.
