Godwill Kukonki | File Image
Kukonki has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season for the Under-18s and was given the opportunity to step up to senior training for the first time
Manchester United new manager, Ruben Amorim, began his tenure at the Old Trafford on Monday November 18, 2024, with the inclusion of the 16-year-old Godwill Kukonki into the main team training session at Carrington.
Kukonki has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season for the Under-18s and was given the opportunity to step up to senior training for the first time.
The Manchester Evening News reported last month that Kukonki was seen as a young player who possesses the technical and physical qualities needed for senior football.
Youngsters who are making strong progress in the academy are drafted into first-team training when extra numbers are needed at Carrington and Kukonki was among those in Amorim’s first session, which represented a huge milestone for the towering 6ft 5ins defender.
Also read: Manchester United need a proven goalscorer – Van Nistelrooy
There have been early comparisons made between the exciting United prospect and Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol and Kukonki is a rare option because he is a left-footed defender.
Left-footed centre-backs are worth their weight in gold in modern football and United submitted multiple bids to Everton in the summer in an attempt to sign Jarrad Branthwaite.
Kukonki is naturally a centre-back but is also comfortable at left-back and has played both positions for the U18s, for who he has started every game except one for this term.
Amorim ended Sporting Lisbon’s 19-year wait for a league title during his time in Portugal and his trust in young players from the club’s academy underpinned his success.
United hired Amorim because they believe he is one of the finest young coaches in Europe and his proven track record of developing young players was seen as a desirable quality.
Amorim plays with three central defenders in a 3-4-3 formation and promising young defenders in the academy, like Kukonki, will be hopeful of earning a debut during his tenure.
Kukonki will celebrate his 17th birthday in February and will target more appearances for the Under-21s by the end of the season.
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