Amorim points to Man Utd's 'strength' and 'new team leader' after Wolves loss

Ruben Amorim has hailed Manchester United’s 20-year-old academy defender Tyler Fredricson for an “immense” senior debut against Wolves.

Despite a 1-0 Premier League loss that left the Red Devils mired in 14th place the Portuguese took positives from the game.

Amorim has praised Fredricson’s poise and work ethic, underscoring his commitment to youth in the Premier League as United shift focus to their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.

Fredricson, a versatile Manchester-born centre-back, started alongside Victor Lindelof and Noussair Mazraoui in United’s defeat at Old Trafford, where Pablo Sarabia’s late free-kick sealed Wolves’ victory.

The debutant played 90 minutes, completing 91% of his passes (62/68), winning 10 of 13 duels, and making three clearances, earning praise for his calmness under pressure.

His performance followed a standout youth season, with 19 academy appearances and a goal in the FA Youth Cup, positioning him as a potential long-term partner for Leny Yoro.

“Tyler was immense—his focus and quality stood out,” Amorim told MUTV. “He’s 20, trains like a leader, and showed he belongs. Our academy is our strength.”

18-year-old Amass made his first start for the club at Newcastle last week, but this was his first senior start at Old Trafford and he had another bright afternoon at left wing-back. He sent in a couple of dangerous crosses as he completed 90 minutes for the first time in his United career.

Fredricson’s chance came amid injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt, with Amorim rotating after United’s epic 5-4 Europa League win over Lyon.

There, Harry Maguire’s 121st-minute header, following Kobbie Mainoo’s 120th-minute strike and Bruno Fernandes’ penalty, clinched a 7-6 aggregate triumph, with Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot scoring earlier.

Amorim said he will make a decision on which young players can form part of his squad for next season once this campaign is over, but he was pleased with the way two of his youngsters showed up against Wolves.

"What I felt today is they deserved a better memory from their first games. Tyler and Amass played really well. They deserved better," said Amorim.

"We were the better team, we played well, created chances, but in the end, one opportunity for the opponent and they scored. The memory is not the best for these kids but they played quite well."

United’s season is bleak—38 goals in 32 games, 15 league losses (a club record since 1989-90), and a 4-1 Newcastle drubbing before the Wolves defeat.

Yet Amorim’s youth strategy, echoing Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 treble, is a positive sign.

"If you look at the game, we were the better team but in the end, it doesn’t matter because if we don’t score goals, nothing matters, in the end what counts is the result, especially in these kinds of moments," said Amorim after the Wolves game.

"We create a lot of chances, we had a game, we control the game, we blocked some good players from the opponent and one set piece changes the game and that’s it, it’s really frustrating to end the game like this."

Fredricson and Amass are set for minutes against Bournemouth and Brentford before Bilbao’s first leg on May 1.

“We’re managing a tough schedule,” Amorim said. “Tyler and Harry are stepping up when we need them.”

Fans on X are electric: @MUFCYouth tweeted, “Fredricson’s debut was rock-solid—our next big thing!” @UtdDistrict  posted, “10 duels won, 91% passes—Tyler’s ready.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £310m transfer plans—eyeing Victor Osimhen, Goncalo Inacio, and Rayan Cherki—loom large, but Fredricson’s debut, alongside Maguire’s Lyon heroics, offers hope. With the Manchester City derby next, United’s youngsters are defying the gloom.