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Ruben Amorim has offered a blunt assessment of Manchester United’s academy pathway, admitting Chido Obi was promoted “too soon” last season while warning young stars that first-team opportunities must be earned. With the Red Devils yet to start a homegrown player in the league this term, the remarks place fresh focus on Carrington’s emerging talents as the club navigates a growing attacking shortage.

Amorim questioned about Obi and Lacey's first-team opportunities

Ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Everton, Amorim was asked about the current state of the academy pipeline, particularly in light of injuries and upcoming Africa Cup of Nations absences. The head coach has yet to start a homegrown player in the Premier League this season, increasing scrutiny on whether young talent will feature during a congested winter schedule. His comments centred on two of United’s most promising teenagers, Chido Obi and Shea Lacey, and whether either is ready to contribute meaningfully at the senior level.

With Benjamin Sesko out and both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo set for Africa Cup of Nations duty, supporters have been looking toward Carrington prospects to fill upcoming gaps. Obi made eight senior appearances last season at just 16, while Lacey has excelled at the youth level since returning from injury. Amorim, however, stressed that first-team readiness demands more than raw talent, and that neither player will be rushed for the sake of short-term needs.  

The manager also highlighted broader structural improvements within the club, emphasising the importance of bridging the gap between Carrington prospects and the demands of United’s high-intensity training environment. These measures, he explained, are designed to ensure that young players are physically and psychologically capable before stepping onto a Premier League pitch.

AdvertisementAFPAmorim opens up on necessity of steady progress for Carrington prospects

“He [Chido] played last year, but I think it was too soon,” Amorim said when asked about Obi’s chances of stepping in. “We didn't have a team we could put a young kid of 16 into and him not struggle. He's one of the guys but he started too soon. Sometimes it's hard to deal with that, with the kids, because they think that 'I'm already here'. We need to be careful with that.” 

On Lacey, he added: “I'm really happy with him. He struggled a little bit with injuries but they did a very good job balancing his body and you can sense he can manage more load during training. He has a lot of talent but when they come here they can sense the speed is completely different, so they need to spend more time with us to be prepared because our training is hard.”

Amorim also addressed the broader academy link: “When you call a kid up to the first team, they need to behave really well. This connection is really important. We are putting everything in place – a nutritionist for the academy starts now – in our club. That is something that should be basic. All these things we are doing, so I have more time with them and I'm more confident with them. When we put these kids in to play in the Premier League, they will struggle, but will struggle less I think.”

Getty Obi and Lacey: Two of Man Utd's best youth talents

Obi’s rise has been one of the most highly publicised academy stories of recent years. After breaking goal-scoring records at Arsenal, most notably scoring 10 in a single U16 game and netting 32 goals in just 18 U18 Premier League matches, he made the bold move to Manchester United in 2024. His early months at Old Trafford saw him fast-tracked through the youth ranks, ultimately making eight senior appearances and becoming the youngest Premier League starter in Red Devils' history at 17 years and 156 days.   

Obi’s development since then has been steady, but Amorim now believes the rapid exposure came “too soon”, reflecting the physical and psychological demands placed on a 16-year-old competing at senior level. His time with the U18s and U21s has shown glimpses of his prolific instincts, but the club’s plan under Amorim is more focused on long-term growth. As United restructure their academy-to-first-team pathway, Obi is expected to spend more time under controlled development rather than immediate senior pressure.  

Lacey, meanwhile, has enjoyed a resurgent 2025 after overcoming an injury that halted his momentum the previous year. The 18-year-old winger, often compared to Phil Foden for his tight control, balance and creative flair, signed a long-term deal until 2029 and has impressed for United’s U21s and England youth teams. Amorim has integrated him into first-team training consistently, even naming him in the senior squad earlier this month, and views him as a realistic option during the AFCON period. 

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Will Obi and Lacey be a part of Man Utd first team in December?

With United facing a packed winter schedule and losing two wingers to international duty, both Obi and Lacey may find themselves in contention for minutes, but only under Amorim’s strict conditions. The Portuguese manager’s comments make clear that opportunities will be earned through training standards and tactical readiness, not handed out due to injury crises. 

Manchester United will have a lot less tightly-packed fixture schedule in December compared to their European football-playing rivals. However, they will still play seven games in 30 days, starting with their clash against Crystal Palace on November 30.

Chamari Athapaththu looms as a key figure as the joint-hosts look to kickstart their tournament

Andrew Fidel Fernando10-Oct-20252:46

Preview: Can Athapaththu dismantle England’s plans?

Big picture: Sri Lanka eye another World Cup upsetIn 18 completed games against England, Sri Lanka have won only once. But that one win was worth 18 at least. Sri Lanka’s victory over England in the 2013 World Cup wasn’t just the upset of that particular tournament, it was a vital staging post in the march of women’s cricket on the smaller of these two islands.Without that last-ball win at Brabourne, Sri Lankan women’s cricket would not be where it is now. Shashikala Siriwardene, Sri Lanka’s captain at the time, remembered it this way: “Our lives and our cricket changed with that match. It started with that game. We actually didn’t celebrate massively. We shouted a little bit in the dressing room, and the coach said a few words. And then we just went to our rooms. But I couldn’t sleep! I was up most of the night remembering all the little things in that match, and the big moments. I was overjoyed. It was only the next day that I got a little sleep. I think that happened to a lot of the others as well.”Since that match, England have won 10 ODIs against Sri Lanka on the bounce. There is no question who the favourites are on Saturday. England, additionally, have humbled South Africa, and eased past Bangladesh already in the tournament. Sri Lanka have one point from a washout against Australia, but lost their tournament opener to India in Guwahati.England have surmised that while Sri Lanka have more batting weapons now than they used to have, their best chance of securing victory is to dismiss Chamari Athapaththu cheaply. England opener Tammy Beaumont said as much on the eve of the match: “Chamari will certainly be the one we’ll be desperate to get out. It’ll be really well planned for.” Athapaththu is no stranger to being one of the most-analysed players by oppositions, having been such a singular star for Sri Lanka for a decade.And yet it feels accurate. If Sri Lanka are to topple England, it feels almost inescapable that Athapaththu will have to play a role. England, though, have a bowling attack brimming with confidence. They decked South Africa for 69 all out in their tournament opener, then restricted Bangladesh for 178 in their next game. England’s slow bowlers have been doing the damage. Finger-spinners Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone, and Charlie Dean have 14 wickets between them, in two matches.Form guide:England: WWLWL LLLWW (last five matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka:In the spotlight: Heather Knight and Inoka RanaweeraIn 11 innings against Sri Lanka, Heather Knight has three half-centuries, and an average of 50. In Sri Lanka, her returns are even better – 208 runs, four not outs, and an average of 52.00. She hasn’t batted on the island since 2019, though. Sri Lanka will be aware that Knight comes in to this match with some runs, having top-scored against Bangladesh with 79. Her vast experience and success in Asia is daunting.Athapaththu may dominate opposition bowler’s minds ahead of a match against Sri Lanka, but left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera will have plenty of airtime in the batting discussions. In Sri Lanka’s first match, she took three wickets in one over to leave India 121 for 5, before they recovered (a theme of this World Cup so far). She finished with 4 for 46 in that match. If the Khettarama track takes turn – which it is likely to do – she will be difficult to handle again.Pitch and conditions: Spin, swing… and rain?It has been drier in the last few days in Colombo, but the forecast is again for showers, which is normal for this time of year. Expect another track on which there will be turn. But the humidity at this time of year also makes for great swing-bowling conditions.Team news: Hasini to open for SLEngland could stick with a winning XI for the third game running.England: (possible) 1 Tammy Beaumont, 2 Amy Jones (wk), 3 Heather Knight, 4 Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), 5 Sophia Dunkley, 6 Emma Lamb, 7 Alice Capsey, 8 Charlie Dean, 9 Sophie Ecclestone, 10 Linsey Smith, 11 Lauren BellSri Lanka have been trying Hasini Perera as opener rather than Vishmi Gunaratne. They will likely retain that order for this match.Sri Lanka: (possible) 1 Hasini Perera, 2 Chamari Athapaththu (capt), 3 Harshith Samarawickrama, 4 Vishmi Gunaratne, 5 Kavisha Dihari, 6 Nilakshika de Silva, 7 Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), 8 Sugandika Kumari, 9 Achini Kulasuriya, 10 Udeshika Prabodhani, 11 Inoka RanaweeraStats and trivia Although she hit an important 62 in that 2013 win against England, Athapaththu’s numbers against this opposition are modest. She hasn’t hit another half-century against them in 13 other innings. One of Knight’s two half-centuries in Sri Lanka came at Khettarama. She strikes at 80.62 in the country, up from a career strike rate of 72.45. Although Sri Lanka have never beaten England in an ODI series, they did win a T20I series 2-1 in England in 2023. Quotes”I think you can never write off Chamari at all. We’ve been on the tough end of it a couple of times over the last few years, particularly when Chamari came to England. She played a couple of amazing innings. But I think over the last few years there’s probably a few more [players] that we’ve started to talk about. There’s certainly a lot more depth to that team that can bat around someone like Chamari.”England opener Tammy Beaumont says Sri Lanka’s batting isn’t all about Athapaththu any more

The Detroit Tiegrs are free falling.

Clinging to a 5-4 lead against the Braves in the top of the ninth inning and looking to end a four-game losing streak, manager A.J. Hinch called upon closer Will Vest to shut the door during Saturday's game. Instead, the Braves kicked the door open, rallying for two runs to take the lead and eventually, win the game.

For the Tigers—who have seen an AL Central lead that was once 15 1/2 games over the Guardians dwindle to just 1 1/2 as Cleveland continues to surge—it was the worst case scenario.

"Difficult to accept, difficult to explain," Hinch said Saturday after the loss. "It's hard trying to put into words what is going on. But I know how much we fought today. I know how well we played. Some big emotional swings and an absolute punch right to the face. Frustrating day, but I'm going to try to grab some of the good that came out of some good swings, some excellent bullpen work.

"Some emotional swings that went our favor and some high-end plays. It's hard to like much of anything right now."

Since September 1, the Tigers offense ranks 21st in runs scored, while the pitching staff has struggled to the tune of the sixth-worst ERA during that span. Not exactly a recipe for winning baseball at any time, but especially in the heat of a division race.

Meanwhile, Cleveland, once seemingly left for dead in the push for the postseason, is now within striking distance of first place in the AL Central with under 10 games remaining. A three-game series against the Guardians, beginning on Sept. 23, looms particularly large.

Galatasaray advisor and prominent agent George Gardi has dived into the behind-the-scenes developments with regards to the transfer to Leroy Sane to the Turkish heavyweights. The 29-year-old, who left Bayern Munich as a free agent at the end of last season, signed a three-year deal with Galatasaray after the club managed to convince him of his importance in the project.

Sane settling into new club Galatasaray

The former Manchester City and Schalke star left Bayern Munich as a free agent upon the expiry of his contract over the summer and joined reigning Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray on a three-year deal. He is one of the highest-earning players in Turkey, pocketing a hefty €9 million annual bonus along with a net loyalty bonus of €3m. 

His first few months at the club weren't as good as many expected. The German international struggled to maintain his fitness and looked rusty during games. In fact, he was even dropped from the starting XI for the Champions League encounter against Liverpool in September. 

However, things have started to fall in place for Sane in recent weeks. In a recent interview with , the winger admitted that "things didn't quite go as planned on the pitch at the beginning," but after getting regular minutes under his belt and spending more time with his new team-mates on the field, he was "very happy with my performances and how I've played."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesGalatasaray advisor reveals how the Sane transfer developed

Galatasaray transfer advisor George Gardi – one of the most prominent agents in Turkey, having facilitated the arrivals of Mauro Icardi, Victor Osimhen and Mario Gomez – has shed light on the behind-the-scenes developments surrounding the Sane transfer.

"This idea came about many, many months before the transfer window opened. I knew this player was needed to take the team to the next level. He was an essential player for building the squad for the upcoming season," Gardi told . 

"When I started negotiations – many months in advance – I initially began with his then-agents. Then there was a change in management, and I continued with the new agents. Of course, it was difficult. He had offers from top clubs in England and Germany. He had a huge offer from Saudi Arabia. With the Club World Cup coming up, it was a big decision for his career."

Speaking about the negotiations, Gardi further explained: "I spoke a lot with the agents and also with him personally. I told him that Galatasaray could be a place where he would become one of the leaders. That he would fit perfectly into the system and could win in a place that would give him great emotions and great satisfaction – perhaps even with a chance to win something in Europe, something the club had never achieved before. I explained to the board and the president that we had to make this transfer very early. If we waited too long, the competition would be even greater and it would be almost impossible to get him. That's why I insisted on completing the deal before the Club World Cup. He travelled with Bayern Munich on the US tour and to the Club World Cup – and it was absolutely unusual for Galatasaray and generally for the Turkish market to sign such a player so early in the transfer window. Normally, these top players only arrive in the winter. Signing such a player so early sent a strong signal to the transfer market."

How Sane was convinced to join Galatasaray

Sane spent much of the 2024–25 season in a secondary role at Bayern Munich, logging just over 2,500 minutes in all competitions. Any club hoping to convince him would have needed to guarantee a larger role. At Galatasaray, he has already played nearly half as many minutes as he did last season. And that’s after only 15 matches.

"The deciding factor was the role he would have at the club," Gardi revealed. "The team needed a player with his qualities. The discussions with the coach – who made it very clear how important he would be to the team. And of course, the love of the fans, which he wouldn't have received elsewhere. To pull off transfers of such iconic players – players from such top clubs, with such fierce competition in the market – and to bring them in at the peak of their careers, and then at the beginning of the transfer window… that's a huge success for the club, for the president, the vice president, and the coach. We worked together brilliantly as a team to bring in such an important player. And hopefully, we will pull off similar transfers again in the future."

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Getty Images SportSane yet to unleash his best version for Galatasaray

Although he has scored three goals and delivered as many assists so far this season, the general consensus is that the 29-year-old is yet to display his best version for the Turkish heavyweights. In recent weeks, his prominence has increased and his convincing performances for Germany during the recently-concluded international break – where he scored twice – will only further boost his morale as the season progresses. 

Gardi, as such, remains unflustered about Sane's impact. "There was a certain adjustment period – to the league, to the country. But now his performance is a key factor for the team, especially in the Champions League," he claimed. "And I believe we haven't yet seen his full potential. In the coming months, he will show his full potential – and raise his level even further, although it is already extremely high."

Florian Wirtz's £100 million ($130m) move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool didn't just upset Bayern Munich. It also hit hard at Koln. After all, Wirtz had come through their academy only to leave for Leverkusen in the summer of 2020 – and for a paltry €300,000 (£265,000/$350,000). Koln were furious. They felt Leverkusen had broken a 'gentleman's agreement' by signing one of the most exciting young players they'd ever produced – but there was nothing they could do about it. Wirtz's contract was expiring and he wanted to leave.

However, while Koln may have missed out on a massive transfer fee with Wirtz, it looks like they're going to make a colossal profit on the €350,000 (£310,000/$405,000) they invested in another potential superstar. Indeed, Said El Mala has just received his first Germany call-up after taking the Bundesliga by storm this season, and has already attracted the attention of both Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, as well as a string of top clubs across the continent.

So, who is Koln's new teenage sensation? And how long might it be before one of Europe's elite pays big money to sign him? GOAL breaks it all down below…

Getty Images SportWhere it all began

El Mala was born and raised in Krefeld in western Germany. Both he and his brother Malek – who is one year older than Said and also on Koln's books – got their love of the game from their Lebanese father Mohammed, who played as a centre-back for local side Linner SV. El Mala briefly followed in his father's footsteps before joining Malek at Borussia Monchengladbach in 2017. However, he was released three years later.

"Said was still very small back then, making him extremely inferior athletically to his opponents and not competitive at that level," El Mala's former coach at the Gladbach Under-15s, Sven Schuchardt, told . "Some boys simply need a little more time to develop."

El Mala was nonetheless devastated by the rejection. "It wasn't easy to process," he later admitted in an interview with . "Everything turning around, just like that. As a 14-year-old, you ask yourself: What did I do wrong?"

He even considered quitting the game and was only convinced to continue by Malek. The two brothers would ultimately reunite at TSV Meerbusch and then again at Viktoria Koln, where they excelled in the same Under-19s team. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe big break

El Mala's impressive performances at youth level led to him making his senior debut in a third-tier clash with FC Saarbrucken on February 21, 2004 – just two days after signing his first professional contract with Viktoria. However, just four months later, he was snapped up by Viktoria's city rivals Koln. Crucially, Koln were unable to register new players at the time, so in order to get a deal done for the in-demand youngster as quickly as possible, they agreed to immediately loan El Mala back to Viktoria for the 2024-25 campaign.

It proved a pivotal moment in his development, as the winger benefited enormously from regular game time at a lower level. He scored 13 times in 32 appearances across his first full season in the professional ranks, resulting in him being awarded the 3. Liga's Newcomer of the Season award, and then shone for Germany's U19s during their summer run to the semi-finals of the European Championship, with four goals and three assists.

Consequently, El Mala belatedly arrived at Koln brimming with belief. 

How it's going

Despite El Mala marking himself out as one of Germany's most promising prospects over the previous year, Koln coach Lukas Kwasniok was reluctant to place too much pressure upon the teenager's shoulders and decided to carefully manage his game time. Consequently, El Mala has been employed primarily as an impact sub in 2025-26 – but to devastating effect. The attacker has already racked up four goals and two assists in this season's Bundesliga, even though he's only started three times. 

Julian Nagelsmann also felt that he'd seen enough of El Mala to warrant inclusion in his squad for this week's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia.

"Said should get the chance to show his carefree and easy-going style of play," the Germany boss told reporters. "We keep an eye on our U21 players and always want to give them the chance to feature for the senior national team."

As for El Mala, he was taken aback by his rapid promotion to Germany's senior squad and revealed that he had initially ignored Nagelsmann's call.

"I was at home when it arrived but I don't like answering unknown numbers," the teenager revealed to . "Then, he sent me a message saying, 'Hi, this is Julian Nagelsmann, please call me back!' I immediately showed the message to my brother and that's when I realised, 'I guess I'm in!' But you can't take it all in during one week. It takes a bit longer. But I'm incredibly excited for the game [against Luxembourg on Friday], and I can enjoy whatever comes after that."

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Biggest strengths

In Germany, El Mala is considered something of a throwback, the kind of old-school street-footballer that one rarely sees anymore.

He's a refreshingly direct dribbler. His first thought always seems to be to take on his man – which makes sense, as he's blessed with wonderful close control and a blistering turn of pace, meaning he's a nightmare for full-backs in one-v-one situations.

He's also got one hell of a strike on him. Time and time again this season, we've seen him come off the left flank and cut in onto his favoured right foot before unleashing fearsome shots on goal.

With nine games of the Premier League season now played, it’s difficult to predict just how Manchester City will do this year.

On the one hand, Erling Haaland remains a lean, mean goalscoring machine and could end up firing them to glory.

Yet, on the other hand, the rest of the attack are struggling to set up, and it’s starting to look like, for all his incredible ability, Bernardo Silva is starting to wind down somewhat.

Fortunately, Man City already have a player who could be the perfect long-term heir, and no, it’s not Phil Foden – it’s someone out on loan.

Man City's stars out on loan

As with most clubs of their size, Man City have several players out on loan this season, some who are very promising indeed, and some who are less so.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For example, while Jack Grealish is an incredible player who helped the club win the treble, it seems incredibly unlikely that he will return from his spell with Everton, even if he’s already chalked up four assists and a goal in ten games.

Sverre Nypan, on the other hand, is someone that the club has very high hopes for, and while he’s not lit the world alight at Middlesbrough, he’s one to watch.

Appearances

70

Starts

55

Goals

14

Assists

11

For example, despite still only being 18 years old, the Trondheim-born gem, whom respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described as an “all-phase midfielder with the ability to control the pace of the game,” was able to rack up a tally of 14 goals and 11 assists in 70 games for Rosenborg before his move in the summer.

Another promising City youngster out on loan this season is Vitor Reis.

The Brazilian centre-back joined the Citizens in January, but was then sent to Girona in the summer to play more games and further develop, so he can hopefully compete for first-team minutes at the Etihad next season.

Described as a defensive “monster” by members of the Brazilian media, it might take some time before fans see his true potential, but it certainly feels like he’s going to be a star.

With that said, there is another unreal City talent out on loan this season, someone who could beat out Foden to become Bernardo’s long-term heir.

Man City's Bernardo's heir

Now, there are a few other City players out on loan this season, but when it comes to a seriously exciting prospect, there is just one more: Claudio Echeverri.

The Citizens paid River Plate around £12.5m to sign the young Argentine last January, and due to him being just 18 at the time, he spent the rest of the year in his home country.

In his final year with River Plate, the “future superstar,” as dubbed by Mattinson, managed to rack up an impressive tally of four goals and six assists.

Upon his arrival in Manchester towards the end of last season, the 19-year-old made just three appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, totalling 64 minutes, but did open his account against Al-Ain in the Club World Cup.

With it clear that he’s not quite ready to play regular first-team minutes in a title-chasing side, it was decided that the Resistencia-born maestro would be sent to Bayer Leverkusen on loan this season, where he has now made six appearances and already provided an assist.

With all that said, what’s most exciting is that, according to Mattinson, the youngster is currently looking like he could be the “ideal successor to Bernardo.”

One of the reasons for this is that, while he likes to play in attacking midfield, he has already spent some time out wide, and while his numbers aren’t exceptional, it’s still very impressive that he’s been able to impact senior games at such a young age.

Finally, like the Portuguese international, the Argentine’s “awareness of space and how to create is exceptional”, and he’s more than capable of making “off the ball runs” and “carrying the ball into space,” per Mattinson.

Ultimately, while it is still very early in his career, it looks like City have a future superstar in Echeverri, and someone who could eventually replace Bernardo.

Man City have "Rashford-like" 17-year-old star who can surpass Savinho

Manchester City have an unbelievable 17-year-old starlet who could soon surpass Savinho.

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