15-year-olds are making their Premier League debut as of late. Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal created historical past this season by changing into the youngest PL participant when he got here on towards Brentford on September 18. Amir Ibragimov of Manchester United may break that report subsequent season.
Such is the hype across the English attacker at Manchester United, followers of youth soccer are already anointing the Russia-born prodigy as United’s crown jewel.
So, who’s Amir Ibragimov, and why is the thrill round him at such a fever pitch regardless of him simply turning 15? We have a look:
Who’s Amir Ibragimov?
Born in Dagestan Republic in Russia, Amir Ibragimov’s dad and mom moved to England when he was 11.
He began his profession at Sheffield United’s academy. Nevertheless, his genius shortly garnered the eye of elite golf equipment. Beating off competitors from different groups, Manchester United snapped him up. Since then, his progress has been a constant upward curve.
He has captained the U14 and U15 staff at Manchester United. In virtually a single season, Ibragimov has improved so shortly that he now options repeatedly for the U18s regardless of turning 15 on April 2.
🚨 Amir Ibragimov scored the winner towards Liverpool U16s earlier than going to the opposite pitch to assist the U18s win vs Liverpool. #MUFC 😂🔴 pic.twitter.com/Xo1bYaSI7T
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) January 21, 2023
Whereas his expertise has at all times been obvious to coaches on the membership, he caught nationwide consideration after he led Manchester United U16s to victory towards arch-rivals Liverpool. He then turned up for the U18s on the identical day, towards Liverpool once more, and likewise performed an element in that victory.
Amir Ibragimov stats
Regardless of his tender age, Ibragimov is already changing into a vital member of Manchester United U18s.
This season, he has made 5 appearances for the staff, enjoying 59% of all accessible minutes. In these 5 appearances, he has one help.
On the worldwide entrance, Ibragimov has made his debut for England U15s. By means of his delivery, he’s eligible to play for each Russia and England. Realizing that, England have been eager to maintain such a prodigious expertise of their youth ranks.
Amir Ibragimov could be anticipated to make his debut for England U16s quickly as nicely. He has dealt with himself when fast-tracked at United. There’s no cause why it might be any totally different for England.
Taking part in model
Amir Ibragimov completely suits the mould of contemporary English attackers. Though his most well-liked place is on the left wing, the place he can lower in on his stronger proper foot, he’s equally snug enjoying on the best or by means of the center.
He’s but to utterly develop into his body, comprehensible for a 15-year-old. Nevertheless, this has compelled him to adapt his sport. Counting on brains fairly than brawn has polished the technical aspect of his sport.
He’s a tough buyer with the ball at his toes. He routinely beats opponents off the dribble and has the flip of tempo to create house for himself.
As soon as in house, his footballing intelligence is manner forward of his age. He has the flexibility to pick teammates with completely weighted progressive passes. In opposition to low-block defences, his teammates repeatedly look to him to play that key go than unlocks the defence.
He has a fast shot on him which he can unleash when given the slightest quantity of house. An apt senior comparability can be if Phil Foden was right-footed as an alternative. He’s extra a creator than a goalscorer as in comparison with Foden at this stage of his profession. Nevertheless, he has proven sufficient composure to make sure that the scoring a part of his sport will catch up quickly.
Amir Ibragimov potential
Together with the left-footed prodigy Shea Lacey, Amir Ibragimov is taken into account the best expertise in Manchester United’s academy.
Each Lacey and Ibragimov as silky attackers with a excessive ceiling. In reality, Ibragimov’s ascent up the youth ranks on the membership is even faster than Lacey’s.
Aged simply 15, he’s already changing into a vital member of the U18s. He was launched to the staff solely this season however has acquitted himself remarkably seamlessly. Soccer runs in his household. His youthful brother, Gazi, additionally performs for Manchester United’s youth groups.
Amir Ibragimov has signed a brand new take care of #mufc. The 15-year-old ahead had been attracting severe curiosity from high sides throughout Europe [@RichFay]#MUFC pic.twitter.com/HVsnl68kLW
— Manchester_United_Youth (@MUFC_Youth) August 31, 2022
At his finest, Ibragimov has the potential to be a “goalscoring creator” who’s a menace within the left half-space. Relying upon how his body develops, coaches may even trend him right into a “Mezzala“, i.e., a central midfielder who routinely drifts broad to have an effect on the attacking sport.
Probably, Ibragimov has the ceiling to develop into a vital member for Manchester United’s senior squad. Making such lofty predictions for a 15-year-old is uncommon. Nevertheless, Amir Ibragimov isn’t a regular expertise both.
Amir Ibragimov at Manchester United
Having already established himself on the U18s stage, it may be anticipated that coaches will begin to accommodate him into the U23 stage when he turns 16.
He ought to comply with simply behind Shea Lacey. Lacey’s climb to U23s ought to start quickly to maintain difficult him. It will improve the obligations of Ibragimov to be the U18s’ major creator.
Not each participant wants a mortgage transfer to get accustomed to senior soccer. If all the things breaks proper, Ibragimov ought to be getting followers off their seats at Outdated Trafford within the subsequent 2-3 years at most.