Manchester United forward breaks foot

Manchester United’s youth setup has been buzzing with form over the past few weeks, with Darren Fletcher’s under-18 side riding a three-game winning streak across all competitions.

The team has been in scintillating attacking form, scoring 11 goals without conceding, and JJ Gabriel continues to shine as the standout performer, netting four times in this run.

The academy has produced a string of promising talent recently, and the spotlight has increasingly fallen on the U18s as a source of future first-team stars.

Fans and scouts alike have been following the progress of United’s youth closely, with several players drawing comparisons to senior squad members in style and potential.

The team’s resilience and attacking verve have made them one of the most exciting youth sides in the country, even with a few absences disrupting the balance.

But amid the positives, one key name was noticeably missing from United’s FA Youth Cup clash against Peterborough.

Amir Ibragimov, the 17-year-old Dagestan-born talent, who signed his first professional contract this year, has been a revelation this season, excelling for both the U18s and U21s, but now it has been revealed that he is sidelined with a broken foot.

Simon Stone from BBC Sport confirmed the nature of the injury, explaining why Fletcher had to call up Jariyah Shah as his replacement,

Ibragimov’s absence leaves a void in the engine room, as his dynamic, box-to-box style had become central to United’s progression and intensity.

Having transformed from an attacking playmaker into a well-rounded forward with the vision and goal threat to emulate a Bruno Fernandes-type role, Amir Ibragimov combines technical skill, scoring ability, and tireless work rate, qualities that have already caught Ruben Amorim’s eye.

United will be hoping the youngster recovers quickly, as his return could inject fresh energy and creativity into Fletcher’s side.