Amorim says it is 'moment' for the Academy kids to shine as Man Utd face crisis

Ruben Amorim says it is the "moment" for the Academy kids to shine as Manchester United face an absentee crisis.

United face a busy festive period with a long list of players missing through injury and the African Cup of Nations.

The most worrying is the news that Bruno Fernandes will be out with a muscle injury and the extent of his problem has not yet been revealed by the club.

But at the same time it means an opportunity for United's youth as was seen with Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey coming on in the defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Amorim said of the pair afterwards: "They worked really hard for that, congratulations for all the coaches in the Academy.

"We are just trying to do everything at the same time, improving the team, trying to protect the kids and for them to play in the right moment. In this moment we need the kids, they will grow up and I am really happy for them."

Fletcher came on with 17 minutes remaining and Lacey got the final six minutes, having been an unused substitute on four occasions recently. Both showed moments of quality although they had little time to impress.

It will be a long path though before they can consider themselves first team regulars and they are likely to return to the youth ranks when the present crisis ends.

And Amorim will be looking to see them working hard and making the most of the chances they have. He has previously been critical of the quality coming from the Academy.

Referencing Harry Amass and Chido Obi he said that they were not shining having been given their first team debuts last season. When both appeared to hit back with social media posts Amorim talked about "entitled" players in his next press conference.

And he said: "Sometimes strong words is not bad words. Sometimes difficult moments is not a bad thing for the kids.We don’t need to be always with accolades in everything, in every situation. We are not helping."

Jack Fletcher has followed in the footsteps of his dad Darren in playing for United and it is the second time that both a father and son have represented United's senior side after John Aston Snr and John Aston Jnr.

The dad helped the side win the first trophy under Sir Matt Busby, the 1948 FA Cup, and was also part of a title-winning side four years later.

The younger Aston was famously Man of the Match in the 1968 European Cup final win over Benfica. This came the season after he also won the league with Busby's men.