Last season 'too soon' for Chido; Amorim 'really happy' with Lacey

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has made some very interesting observations around the club's academy - and the players in it - before Monday's Premier League game against Everton.

With Benjamin Sesko ruled out, and Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo due to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations next month, attention has been turning to who might replace them.

Amorim has not started a 'homegrown' player in the league this season. He was asked about 17-year-old forward Chido Obi, who made eight first-team appearances last term, and 18-year-old Shea Lacey, who has recovered from injury and has impressed at age group levels for club and country this season.

But he was also asked about the link between his senior squad and the club's academy.

"He [Chido] played last year, but I think it was too soon," said Amorim.

"We didn't have a team we could put a young kid of 16 into and him not struggle.

"He's one of the guys but he started too soon. Sometimes it's hard to deal with that, with the kids, because they think that 'I'm already here'. We need to be careful with that.

"I'm really happy with him [Lacey]. He struggled a little bit with injuries but they did a very good job balancing his body and you can sense he can manage more load during training.

"He has a lot of talent but when they come here they can sense the speed is completely different, so they need to spend more time with us to be prepared because our training is hard. In Premier League games the pressure is harder, so they need to be ready.

"When you call a kid up to the first team, they need to behave really well.

"This connection is really important. We are putting everything in place - a nutritionist for the academy starts now - in our club. That is something that should be basic.

"All these things we are doing, so I have more time with them and I'm more confident with them. When we put these kids in to play in the Premier League, they will struggle, but will struggle less I think."