Ruben Amorim urged to avoid selecting ‘token gesture’ players for Man Utd

Ruben Amorim urged to avoid selecting ‘token gesture’ players for Man Utd Liam Grace Published November 20, 2025 6:15pm Updated November 20, 2025 6:15pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Ruben Amorim has committed to keeping the Man Utd tradition alive (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United’s academy director Stephen Torpey has urged head coach Ruben Amorim to avoid selecting ‘token gesture’ players.

United have maintained a remarkable record of including an academy player in every first-team matchday squad since October 1937.

Amorim has committed to keeping the tradition alive but the incredible run, which has lasted over 4000 games, has come under pressure this season.

With Kobbie Mainoo missing United’s last game with a knock – a 2-2 draw against Tottenham – Amorim named Jack Fletcher on the bench instead.

‘We don’t want it to be a token gesture that we have players in our first team to keep a tradition going,’ United’s academy director Torpey told the BBC.

Your ultimate guide to the football season

Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.

‘We want players who are ready, can make an impact and make our first team better, and who our fans can be proud of.

‘There is no greater feeling than one of your own stepping out.’

Jack Fletcher was named on the bench for the clash vs Tottenham (Picture: Getty)

Fletcher, 18, has never played for United’s first team and is still waiting to make his debut for the club.

The attacking midfielder, who can also be deployed as a winger, has scored nine goals and produced four assists in 23 games for United U21s.

The England U19s international is the son of former United player Darren Fletcher.

Waddle: Mainoo should leave in January

Kobbie Mainoo has been told to leave Man Utd in January (Picture: Getty)

Meanwhile, Chris Waddle believes United academy graduate Mainoo needs to leave the club in the January transfer window.

Mainoo has not started a single Premier League game for the Red Devils so far this season and was not called up by England in November.

Quizzed about Mainoo going out on loan to West Ham or leaving United permanently to kickstart his career, Waddle told shekicks.net: ‘For Kobbie, he knows that you just have to play.

More Trending

1. 

   Real Madrid 'regret' decision to allow Chelsea to sign 'football genius'

   Channel: Football Football 1 day ago By Louis Sealey
2. Antoine Semenyo has already named Premier League team he 'dreams' of joining
3. Scotland star blocked from World Cup celebrations in dressing room after Denmark win
4. Chelsea star to hand in transfer request just 16 months after signing seven-year deal

‘If you’re not playing, it’s easy for an international manager to pick someone else. Nobody is going to argue with [Thomas] Tuchel’s decision to go for someone playing more regularly.

‘Mainoo’s had a change of fortune this season. He’s out of the team, but in his absence, United have turned things around. They’re playing quite well, they’re looking better.

‘If Kobbie isn’t playing then he’s not going to go to the World Cup, so when January comes around, he needs to look at any of the interested clubs who make contact.

‘Whether it’s a loan move or permanent, so be it… If you’re looking to impress your national team manager, then you just have to be playing. In January he needs to get out if he’s not playing still.’

Arrow MORE: ‘Has to play’ – Mikel Arteta urged to let Arsenal star leave in January transfer window

Arrow MORE: Arsenal battling an injury crisis they must solve to avoid history repeating itself

Arrow MORE: Thibaut Courtois says Arsenal star is ‘one of the top three in the world’

Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The Mixer

Your guide to the week in football. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk – sign up, it’s an open goal.

Team Expand Options ?

Let us know which team you support. Close

Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign Up

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy