Manchester United’s famed academy streak was threatened by an injury to Kobbie Mainoo prior to the international break—Jack Fletcher was on hand to save the day for Ruben Amorim at Tottenham Hotspur—but it appears he may be good to go when club football returns.
United recently celebrated the 88th anniversary of their run of including at least one academy graduate in every single senior matchday squad, but that streak nearly came to an end when Mainoo was ruled out of the 2–2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
As one of just two academy graduates in the current squad—the second being third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton—Mainoo’s omission from the matchday squad had Amorim at risk of becoming the first United manager since 1937 to name a team without a single academy graduate.
To solve his problem, Amorim offered a first call-up of the season to 18-year-old academy midfielder Fletcher, son of Darren, who went unused against Spurs but ensured the squad still included at least one player from the Red Devils’ youth system.
Now, United journalist reports there is confidence United will not find themselves in a similar position after the international break, with club officials expecting Mainoo back in action when club football returns.
