Where are all the academy prospects?

Q&A with Simon Stone banner
  • Published
Chido Obi Martin warms up at Old TraffordImage source, Getty Images

In the second part of our Q&A with BBC Sport's Manchester United reporter Simon Stone, we focus on the academy and what is happening with its prospects.

Raj asked: Why are there no academy players coming through to the first team? The current team will have none if Kobbie Mainoo is left out or sold.

Simon answered: There are some promising players in the academy. The under-21s are top of their league, with six wins from six, and the under-18s have lost once.

If Mainoo left, I think Ruben Amorim would ensure there was academy representation on the bench. Tyler Fredricson has been there this season and others, such as Jack Fletcher, Jim Thwaites and Chido Obi, have impressed.

There is talent there. It is opportunities that there are not enough of because of the lack of games.

Nick asked: Where does Chido Obi feature in plans now? Surely he would have been promised more game time when prised from Arsenal, but this season he has been nowhere to be seen.

Simon answered: He has been training with the under-21s this campaign, which suggests Amorim doesn't believe he is quite at first-team level just yet.

Don't forget, he is still only 17. There are not many players who make it in the Premier League at such a young age, let alone strikers.

You can see how raw he was when Amorim played him at the back end of last season and United have spent £200m on attacking players since then.

It will be interesting to see how patient he is.

Come back later on Friday to read the final part of Simon's Q&A, which will focus on transfer plans.