Amorim comments point to huge opportunity this week for Ireland U21 prospect

Irish Daily Mirror

27-05-2025

Ireland Under-21 midfielder Jack Moorhouse has travelled to Malaysia with the Manchester United first-team squad - and manager Ruben Amorim's comments on Tuesday will be music to the youngster's ears.
The 19-year-old has already appeared twice on the bench in the Premier League - for games against Tottenham and Arsenal - and he was there again in both Europa League legs against Lyon.
Moorhouse is part of a 32-strong squad, a blend of experience and youth, with Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes in the former category.
But if we are to take Amorim at his word, there will be opportunities for the younger members of the travelling party, including Moorhouse.
Speaking in Malaysia, he pointed to United's history of producing long-term success through their youth ranks - from the Busby Babes to Alex Ferguson's Class of '92.
He may be forced next year to reach into the club's underage structures to bolster his options, given United's failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Last week's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham ended their prospects of securing European football next season - and it put a huge dent in Amorim's summer transfer plans.
He said: 'We always prepare two plans. With and without the Champions League. Without the Champions League, we also don't need a big squad.
'We can control the squad in a better way. Then we have a plan, that is to bring in some new players, but our big plan is to improve the team we have, to improve the Academy.
'It was the past, so it can be the future. It can't change much because of Financial Fair Play, we are not allowed to do much, even with the Champions League, so we are prepared.
'It's important to stick together. We are going to struggle, it's not going to be everything right away, but I can see the team improving and that's the most important thing.'
He is aware that he cannot put too big a burden on young shoulders.
'One issue is we push too much from the beginning and you have social media and all the pressure around the young kids,' Amorim said.
'It's hard to control. I don't want to say any names but I believe in all of them and sometimes, like you said, you have surprises.
'This is a massive club and that is a big question - sometimes we put our young kids on a pedestal and that is an important thing to change, because we need to control that.'
Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton.
Harry Amass, Dan Armer, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, Jonny Evans, Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven, Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Harry Maguire, Reece Munro, Luke Shaw.
Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Bruno Fernandes, Tyler Fletcher, Sekou Kone, Kobbie Mainoo, Jack Moorhouse, Mason Mount, Jim Thwaites, Manuel Ugarte.
Alejandro Garnacho, Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, Shea Lacey, Chido Obi, Joshua Zirkzee.