Man Utd youngster who Matheus Cunha took under his wing could provide goalscoring solution

Manchester United need to find a solution in attack after the recent update on Benjamin Sesko’s fitness.

Benjamin Sesko’s injury leaves Manchester United seriously light on striker options, and there is no easy solution. But if the club do want to turn to the academy, then some groundwork has already been laid.

Back in 2022, Amir Ibragimov made his Manchester United under-18s debut at just 14. He has waited patiently for a first team opportunity, with his progress in 2025/26 delayed by an injury that kept him out for several months.

Ibragimov has gone on to captain the under-21s, and while his versatility to play in multiple positions can work as a drawback, it could end up opening a door as United search for Sesko cover.

Since the beginning of the 2026/27 season, Ibragimov has been starting as a striker for the under-21s, rather than playing on the wing or an attacking midfielder. It is a role that he has been growing into.

Ibragimov has scored three goals for United this season, two for the under-21s and one in the UEFA Youth League, while he has also picked up one assist.

His clever movement and eye for goal has helped him to adapt to playing up front, and it is a situation that could intrigue Michael Carrick.

Ibragimov has trained with Manchester United’s first team, and speaking earlier this month, he explained how he has struck up a rapport with first team star Matheus Cunha.

Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images

How Ibragimov won Cunha over

Speaking to Inside Carrington, Ibragimov explained how he won over Matheus Cunha during a training session, and thanked the Brazilian for the way he has helped him adapt to stepping up a level.

Ibragimov stated: “Me and Cunha had a really good connection. Like, he helped me a lot because, coming to train with the first team, they are aggressive with you. It’s like, because we’re young, that doesn’t mean they have to let us off, which I think is really good.

“As soon as I came in, it was straight into tackles, like they don’t care how old you are, which, again, I think is really good. As soon as I went down, which was a foul but they don’t give fouls much [in training] and the coaches just tell you to get on with it.

“And then Cunha said to me, as soon as I got fouled, ‘next time, I do not want to hear you at all. I want you to get up and carry on’.

“And you know what? Next time I got fouled, I got up straight away and the ball just came to me straight back. And then I scored! He said ‘see, this is exactly what I mean’.

“Then, after that, he was just like talking to me and saying ‘as long as you listen and as long as you [learn]’. He said ‘if I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t have helped you’.”

Ibragimov has passed the test

Respect is key to any young player stepping up. If an emerging talent like 18-year-old Ibragimov was to step up to the first team, he must have the respect of the teammates he is going into battle with.

Ibragimov’s exchange with Cunha shows how he is building a rapport behind-the-scenes that could help him succeed if he is ever given the chance.

Michael Carrick has been hesitant to throw young players into the first team this season, with Shea Lacey and Harry Amass yet to start a Premier League game, despite regular football in pre-season.

The difference is that Ibragimov is now playing in a position that is a crisis role for United, with a lack of striker options. With the transfer window still two months away, he could yet get an opportunity – and one game is all it could take.