Copyright mirror
Manchester United's proud record of boasting an academy player in every matchday squad since 1937 is under threat after Kobbie Mainoo went down injured with an 18-year-old drafted in to travel down to London. The Red Devils face Tottenham in the capital on Saturday lunchtime but will be without Mainoo, who has often been on the bench for them this season. It is a setback for the homegrown talent, but his absence leaves a major hole in the squad for Ruben Amorim. United's tradition of backing their own talent has seen them boast an academy player in every matchday squad for 88 years. That is an incredible statistic that spans 4,332 successive games. Mainoo's injury has put that in jeopardy. It remains to be seen if Ruben Amorim will bring in a homegrown talent simply to keep the record going but he has prepared for that. Youngster Jack Fletcher, who is just 18, is in the travelling party for the trip down south and could yet find himself a spot on the bench. This season Mainoo has been the only academy graduate who is regularly part of the first-team picture. Young defender Tyler Fredricson has picked up one appearance, that coming in the Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby . United's options are limited with Marcus Rashford heading out on loan to Barcelona this summer. Jonny Evans, whilst a veteran defender, was on their books last season and was another homegrown talent. This term Amorim has allowed a lot of their young players to head out on loan. The likes of Dan Gore, Ethan Williams and Elyh Harrison are all in the midst of temporary stints away to help their development, but it leaves United light of homegrown talent they can pick from this weekend without looking to their youth ranks. The Class of 92 were perhaps the most famous graduates of the United system and many of them - the likes of David Beckham , Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers - were all stalwarts in Sir Alex Ferguson's trophy-laden era. Even after the Scot's retirement players have emerged. Danny Welbeck was a forward option under the like of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, before he was sold by the latter. It was under Van Gaal that Rashford emerged as a talent and he's largely been among the squad since his breakthrough a decade ago. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed a host of young players their debuts during his tenure in Manchester. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
