#Godwill Kukonki

[unitedbydevils]

Amorim's United: Who makes the cut?

With United having suffered five defeats in December alone, and conceded 9 goals in the last 3 games - all notably without De Ligt due to illness - there's some big cracks visible in the United squad.

This prompts me to pose the question: who, in this current United squad, makes the cut. Below I'll break out into five categories:

Sell

Monitor

Keep

Promote

Buy

SELL

United have ELEVEN players who need to be moved on. This isn't necessarily because they haven't pulled their weight and performed, but there's an issue with them being in the squad and that needs addressing.

Jonny Evans - A veteran player who I'd love to see stick around as a coach, but the reality is he's ageing and was a surprise signing under Erik Ten Hag. He has been useful at times but he's slowing, and a third season should not be a thing. Maybe an U21s player/coach at most.

Casemiro - Good player, especially with Ugarte now to partner him in CM, but he's on a huge wage and it seems like either INEOS don't want that bill or Amorim doesn't really rate him. Either way, time to part ways.

Harry Maguire - The former captain has had something of a renaissance under Ruben Amorim in the back 3, which reduces his ball-playing duties and allows him to showcase his better traits. That said, he's not first choice ahead of De Ligt, and with INEOS tightening up on contracts... he might decide it's time to move on and bag one last big deal to be a guaranteed starter.

Victor Lindelöf - A good bloke, a defender I like, but he has always been lightweight and doesn't suit Amorim's defence. Like Maguire, his contract is running out so it's time to say thanks and best wishes.

Altay Bayindir - He wasn't especially rated before we signed him as our backup keeper, and he hasn't done anything to impress since signing. I'd rather promote from the academy to be understudy.

Marcus Rashford - This one hurts. There's rumours about drink and gambling, but how much of that is exaggeration of a black man's socialising? Who knows. Either way, we can say that Rashy has looked unhappy at United for a while, and the rumours of INEOS wanting to sell him, his chat with Henry Winter about being ready for a new challenge, and hints from Amorim about him not being up-to-scratch and thus not in the match squads... it feels like game over for United x Marcus. A real shame, but he's on huge wages that are not consistent with his output. He's no Mo Salah. That's not on him - you get offered big money, you take it, but it's poor from the Glazers and former management to "retain" him on such money and to bring that pressure.

Christian Eriksen - Like Juan Mata, Eriksen is an incredibly talented and intelligent player, but he just does not have the legs to do more than the offensive work for the team, and that's not viable in this rebuild. In an established team, you can handle 1-2 players like that, but United are not established. We're an expensive, clumsily assembled squad. A return to Brentford would be a fun move to see - let him be that attacking mid playmaker for another 2 seasons and then go wind down in Sweden or Denmark.

Luke Shaw - A talented defender no doubt, and a LB/LWB that would suit Amorim's system well, but the best ability is availability and Shaw is out more than he's in. His decision to go play for England in the summer was admirable for England fans but dire for United fans - setting his fitness/recovery back by months after struggling through at the end of the Euros. We pay his wages, and he disrespected that, and sale is the punishment.

Mason Mount - I like him, but he's also an injury failure like Luke Shaw. It's a crying shame, because his pressing style is perfect for an Amorim 10 and a bit of form/rhythm would get the goals + assists out of him, but he can't do it. His last full 90 was before Inter Miami was launched ffs. Thanks but goodbye.

Tyrell Malacia - Back from injury, Malacia is slowly working back to fitness. He did well vs Saka and Arsenal but has been poor aside. Form and match fitness take time, so maybe he'll come good, but at best I feel Malacia is a back up LWB to somebody, and given we have Amass coming through and Diego Leon getting signed… it feels like the end of the road and back to the Eredivisie.

Antony - A left footed right-winger that doesn't beat his man and offers very little goal threat, crossing, or set piece talent. He moves and grafts, but that's the bare minimum, and he cost an absolute fortune (not his fault). Cut our losses and move him on, because Pellistri would do more and our academy kids will do more.

MONITOR

To add insult to injury, there are SEVEN players who are on the watch list for Amorim and his coaches, due to failing to meet the required standards of quality or consistency.

Andre Onana - Last season he was iffy, especially in the Champions League. This season, Onana started well but has recently began shitting the bed. Conceding two direct corners in the space of a week is vile. Here's hoping it's a blip and he returns to form, but if it's not... that's two wonky seasons and sale worthy.

Diogo Dalot - The RB/RWB should suit Amorim's formation to a tee. He hasn't played at RWB enough, helping deputise at LWB, but wherever he has played he has been poor. Maybe a run of games at RWB would fix this, but that's why he's monitored not sold. A hard worker, but not that smart, Dalot might be a future sale once United are tidied up a bit.

Lissandro Martinez - I like The Butcher, but this season he has been sub-par. Maybe a back three doesn't suit him, but the LCB seems to be ideal for his left foot and ball-playing, so I think it's just a poor spell of form. He needs to stop losing his markers and all should be well.

Bruno Fernandes - He's not Captain Fantastic (god I'd love Robbo in this team) but he has a lot to offer. The problem is we're not seeing it. We're missing the goals and instead getting treated to silly bookings (three reds this season already). Bruno needs to lead by example or he'll be made to leave as an example.

Joshua Zirkzee - He's new, and evidently a clever, technical player, but he seems languid and has delivered... nothing, so far. We need more goals or assists in the second half of the season, else next season is make-or-break for him.

Toby Collyer - The youngster is on the fringes of the first team, and making many matchday squads. I wonder if he'll get game time, so it's hard to judge his readiness just yet as he isn't playing. Toby's at the point of play or sell though come the end of next season.

Harry Amass - A talent we robbed from Watford's academy and we teased in the pre-season. Offensively lovely, defensively flawed, but an ideal LWB. I think he's ready to be tried, but it's unclear if Amorim sees anything there yet.

KEEP

Thankfully we have some people to keep.

Kobbie Mainoo - Kid's mint, even if his form at the moment is meh. This is where squad depth should allow him to be benched.

Manuel Ugarte - YES LAD. Proper bruising midfield destroyer, god bless.

Matthijs De Ligt - My captain. I'd move it to him from Bruno next summer. He's not world class but he's very good.

Noussair Mazraoui - This guy might be world class, but his form has just tailed off. Hopefully it's a blip like the others, but still, he's reliable even on a bad day.

Rasmus Hojlund - Not first-choice quality, yet, but certainly one for the future so he should stay. It's not his fault we couldn't get Kane.

Alejandro Garnacho - Same. Decision making is poor but he's good.

Amad Diallo - Boy Wonder. Love this kid and i'm so glad he's finally getting his just rewards. A bit of a dip - like so many - of late but otherwise he has been very impressive this season.

Leny Yoro - Back from injury and looking alright, the kid has a high ceiling to his play. A few mistakes in there at the moment, but Rio had that at his age too. Playtime will iron out the kinks.

Tom Heaton - Third choice keeper, academy graduate, reliable dude. No point in shifting on people with the United mentality and the right attitude. Maybe a player/coach setup in the U21s, and bump Dermot Mee to no2 keeper.

PROMOTE

Only two obvious ones here: Dan Gore and Godwill Kukonki.

The latter is a tall, strong, technically proficient LB/LCB which is flexibility that has evidently pleased Ruben Amorim.

Dan Gore at CM flirted with the first team previously under Ole and ETH but injury set him back. Now he's back at it for the U21s and looking sharp, and his box-to-box style will allow him to play in that midfield pairing. He has a bit of Keano bite in him as well as a knack for shooting from distance and good passing range. I'd even go so far to try him alongside Ugarte as soon as possible, to let Mainoo rest and shape up.

BUY OR LOAN

United under Amorim are struggling at both wing back positions and in the front three.

Diego León (Cerro Porteño) - The 17 year old has reportedly agreed a pre-contract with United ahead of signing officially for a small fee next summer. He's strong, fast, and reportedly good technically, but he's a kid and an unknown. That said, this seems a done deal, so I think he's going to be our backup LWB and moulded in the image of Amorim.

Tyler Dibling (Southampton) - Another teenager, the 18 year old is in his breakthrough season and looks electric up and down the right wing. He's good on the ball, he's not afraid to be in possession, and he offers valuable width. He'd very much suit the RWB position and could form a lovely dovetail partnership with Amad in the right 10 and play swapsies positionally to lose markers. Mmmm, tasty.

Evan Ferguson (Brighton) - The Irish CF is a class player and a proper leading man, but he is injury prone. Brighton are losing patience, and United are desperate for goals. The lad's a United fan, so it could be a good trial to earn a summer transfer.

Matheus Cunha (Wolves) - I told friends that today is the game that sealed his move to United. He's himself liked comments linking us with him on Instagram, and to be honest... I like him. I think he offers us similar quality on the ball to Amad Diallo and that dazzle and guile is something we need to inspire the team and give confidence. His pace and agility makes him a mean goal threat, and we greatly lack that. He'll be 26 next spring too, so he's entering his prime and this would be a perfect time for a big move.

Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) - LWB is a flawed position for us, and Kerkez (also rumoured a United fan) is playing well for Bournemouth and would solve a lot of our issues there. With Terminator-level stamina, strong marking, and very competent passing... to me this is a no-brainer signing.

Patrick Dorgu (Lecce) - The one thing stopping Kerkez being the definitive LWB rumour for United. Dorgu the Dane is a starlet at Lecce in Serie A and has shown great potential. He's a big specimen and boasts strong ball carrying and technical skills. He can play LWB, RWB and LCB, but my only concern is a lack of assists. Versatility is nice but we also need end product, which is where I'd punt for Kerkez, but we'll see.

Alvaro Fernandez (Benfica) - We have a buyback on our former academy player, but I wouldn't blame him for not wanting to come back after our disrespect. A talented prospect, Alvaro excelled in the very physical Championship, picking up accolades along the way, and yet United didn't see him as a worthwhile prospect versus the injured Luke Shaw and unproven/then injured Tyrell Malacia. Wild. He's good on the ball, pacey, has good crossing, and isn't afraid to tackle. There might be better players, but he's still rather good and has a long way to go until his ceiling.

Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen) - The ideal RWB choice with all the pace, crossing, finishing you could want... but probably not likely. Rumour has it he is a United fan, but why would a player of his calibre join a shitshow like us, especially if we don't make Europe? Fandom only goes so far.

Éderson (Atalanta) - The CM is very likely to move next summer thanks to the amazing season he, and his team, are having in Serie A and Europe. Statman Dave and Ste Howson have both picked the lad out as an ideal acquisition to partner Ugarte thanks to his rounded game of passing, pitch coverage, strength in duels, and creativity. This would be a perfect signing for Dan Gore to understudy.

Angel Gomes (Lille) - The former United academy CM was and is hugely technically proficient and his performances in France recently earned him a call-up to the England squad. He'll be 25 in the summer when he's out of contract (we do like freebies) and could prove a useful squad player in that sitting CM role, dictating the play.

Jonathan David (Lille) - Another one from Lille available on a free, David is a Canadian international with a similar fast, agile style to Rashford, Martial, and Garnacho. I'm unsure if he'd work in the Premier League, but again, free is a good price and could be a safe punt for a season or two for squad depth.

Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) - Mitchell is on the cusp of an England call-up and will be 26 shortly after the start of next season. A good age, Mitchell offers decent attacking prowess and solid defensive skills. He could prove a good foil for a more offensive RWB choice like Dibling, to avoid United being too gung-ho. Rumour has it he's available on a free as well, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's a cheeky +1 on his contract to bag a few quid.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) - The final freebie on the list, DCL has had his injury issues but is still evidently a top PL striker stuck in a meh team. Come and join a different disappointing north-west side, kid. He's a good leading man, scores good goals, has the proper movement in the box and all the right instincts. He's solid in the air and on the ground and wouldn't be losing duels like Hojlund - an ideal tutor for the young lad.

One that's getting added here but is NOT someone I want to add into the mix is Victor Osimhen. A very talented striker that would rip the Premier League a new arsehole, for sure, but he's on a HUGE bag of wages. Losing Marcus and Case would help fund that with some change spare, but then with Rasmus and Zirkzee and kids in the academy... is he the right signing? If he flops he's hard to move on... a nice choice but personally no. Let him go to Chelsea and win them the league. Upset Pep next season as Liverpool are this time, and keep denying Arsenal and Arteta lol.

Time to wrap up then. My must-buy four for the summer are:

Kerkez to solve LWB

Cunha to be a starting 10

Ederson, to start ahead of Mainoo in the CM pairing

Dibling at RWB

How much will the above cost? Probably around £150-160 million. It's not a cheap summer transfer window, but it's necessary repair work. The big challenge for Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada is to get people out the door and to get money for them. The more we can sell our dross for, the greater the chance of bagging these improvements, especially if we miss out on European football which is... likely. Fuck.

United's biggest flaw is a lack of goals. If we can solidify CM and solve the wing-back positions then we can guarantee the patterns of play to create more chances and build the strikers' confidence. Cunha and Amad flanking A striker... I'm already salivating.

Let me know in the comments if you agree, disagree, or players you'd like to see.

[nghubs1]

GODWILL KUKONKI BIOGRAPHY, EDUCATION, CAREER, CONTROVERSIES AND NET WORTH

Godwill Kukonki is a highly promising young footballer and part of Manchester United’s U18 squad. At just 16 years old, he is a left-footed center-back already recognized for his defensive skills and composure. GODWILL KUKONKI PROFILE NameGodwill Kukonki Real NameGodwill Kukonki Date of Birth 6 February 2008Age16 Years NationlityEnglish – CongoleseOccuptionFootballer Religion ChristainMarital…

[unitedbydevils]

Match Review: Manchester United U18s 9-0 Blackburn Rovers U18s

Well, this is a bit silly isn't it? The U21s threw hands with Norwich, but the U18s don't even let you glove up to fight. Ruthless little bastards, I love it.

James Scanlon, pictured above, managed to bag four goals for United; 1 in the first half and 3 in the second to really flex on Rovers.

Goal 1: Battling Biancheri won the ball back on the edge of the Blackburn box to jink into the box, pop the ball onto his left and bosh - bottom right corner finish for 1-0.

Goal 2: United had several chances from here on out but it took until the 30th minute for Zach Baumann to make it 2-0. Fitzgerald released Mantato, who then hit traffic, but the back pass came to Baumann for a lovely double-megs that the keeper had no vision of. Cheeky.

Goal 3: A nice win back from Fitzgerald was passed on to Tyler Fletcher and played through at the perfect pace for Biancheri to slot home with precision.

Goal 4: More nice give-and-go football from United sees Biancheri tee Fletcher who tees Scanlon for a close-range finish.

Goal 5: TYLER FLETCHER YOU BEAUTY. Left back Dante Plunkett scores, and it's a nice close-range finish again, but Tyler with the side-foot pass at an angle away from his body, through the lines, killer throughball... he sold everyone and just puts Plunkett through in miles of space. Unreal.

== HALF TIME ==

Goal 6: Hot prospect Jim Thwaites, on for goalscorer Zach Baumann, enjoyed another lovely spectacle of give-and-go 1-2 passing with Gabi Biancheri, allowing a sideways pass to Scanlon for his second goal of the game.

Goal 7: Centre-back Godwill Kukonki scored after United excuted a short corner, whipped in to back post and headed back central by Reece Minro for Kukonki to pass into the net.

Goal 8: Hat-trick hero! James Scanlon on the left side of the Blackburn box bundles home his third after pressure on the Rovers keeper saw Thwaites win the ball back mid-half. A short pass to Tyler Fletcher - him again! - and a timely relay wide to Scanlon again gave United their 8th of the afternoon.

Goal 9: Now you're showing off... Gibraltan hero Scanlon basically gets the ball and just drives, drives, drives, shoots, goal, thanks.

BONUS: A 91st minute red card for Jackson Shorrocks after a blatant, full-on arm grab and throw of United RB Devaney - but luckily for Blackburn it was just outside the penalty area, else we might have hit wacky double figures...

[unitedbydevils]

Match Review: Oldham Athletic 0-5 Manchester United U21s

Oosht. That was a drubbing.

The game actually seemed fairly even based on the first half; both sides had several chances in the first half, despite United having slightly more of the possession. For all of our attacking intent, Oldham were smart enough to know how to hit us on the break and keep us honest.

The second half was a different beast though. Jack Moorhouse is evidently feeling himself at the moment, and several mazy dribbling runs through the Athletic side saw him finally rewarded with a breakthrough chance and goal in the 63rd minute.

With that, the floodgates opened. Chido Obi, who had drawn defenders away previously to buy Moorhouse space, was able to pick up on a parried Moorhouse shot to tap hope for 2-0 United. Two minutes later and Malachi Sharpe decided he was just going to run wide round the Oldham defence and fizz a lot shot across goal, which nestled into the far corner. Banger finish.

Things slowed down a little from here but the possession and chances were all United. Godwill Kukonki had defence that locked down that our DM in Sekou Kone was on the offensive too, just to keep warm.

Poor defending against a killer through ball put Sam Mather in on goal when he had no right being through. Good movement and timing from him on his running, and a top finish - literally - to hit high into the corner of the net, but Oldham definitely switched off as their heads went.

The final bit of pain for the home side came in the 92nd minute, when Victor Musa would score a tidy header from a corner to finish the rout off. Five goals, five different scorers. Bosh.

United's U21s are looking a lot sharper these days, and it's hard not to point towards the likes of Chido Obi and Sekou Kone for elevating their game. Regulars like keeper Elyh Harrison, Godwill Kukonki, and Jack Moorhouse are quietly shining though - or not so quietly given Godwill and Jack are training with the first team these days. Ayden Heaven's arrival will only help the team's league push this season if he doesn't instantly go first team. Either way, for the first time in a while the U21 setup looks as promising as the U18s, and with good sides in the age groups below... La Carrington is starting to fire on all cylinders. Amorim might be able to save United with a limited budget after all...

Next game is a little bit of a wait - a home tie at LSV in the league against Spurs on Friday 7th February at 7pm.

[unitedbydevils]

TRANSFER SPEEDRUN

I'm cold, sleep deprived, Vitamin D deficient, have some weird shit going on with my blood pressure, and my mom is in hospital. BUT ON WE BLOG.

Antony to Real Betis

INEOS did good work here, shifting useless Brazilian winger Antony out on loan to Real Betis. Maybe the warmer climate of Spain and the slightly less physical La Liga will allow him to be more like the Ajax player Ten Hag knew, rather than the United player we're frustrated by.

Betis will apparently cover 84% of Antony's salary, which given we're outside of the Champions League dropped from £140,000 per week to £105,000 per week - still a lot more than his Ajax salary of £20,000 per week. Real Betis will by the maths above be covering £88,200 of that £105,000 each week with this loan until the end of the season. There is, unfortunately, no obligation to buy, but I really hope he does well so we can at least recoup €30 million for him.

Also, the social videos of him at Betis were varying levels of awful lmao. Oh dear.

HERE WE GO - DORGU DONE DEAL

At last, a LWB. Huzzah. €30 million + some add-ons for a promising young talent who is left footed, plays on the left naturally, and has the stamina and impetus to bomb up and down that left flank. Could this unlock Amorim's tactics?

For the doubters: we all cry about not gambling on promising talent like Haaland and Caicedo under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and there's more to be listed. This is one of those gambles. Maybe not as cheap as some would like, but this is still a good deal. If he performs on par with Dalot it's a good deal, let alone if he can go above and beyond that. We have no left side. We can't say "anyone is better than no-one" because Malacia... 🤐 but he is well rated, well scouted, and one of those hot prospect buys on Football Manager. I think worst case we can make a minor profit of £30 million on this €30 million signing.

Heaven knows they're miserable now

This cheeky mockup from Fabrizio Romano shows Ayden Heaven - Arsenal CB - who has agreed to leave the London club ala Chido Obi to come and join the Ruben Amorim project.

A left-footed CB, Heaven featured in Arsenal's pre-season tour and didn't look out of place as a ball-playing CB with excellent passing and touch skills, and he's rather tall too.

The fear here is for Godwill Kukonki, but Heaven is a little older and with Jonny Evans expected to depart in the summer... it makes a lot of sense. Plus, competition and a rival for Godwill isn't a bad idea.

With Diego Leon coming in the summer, and Heaven in for LCB, surely Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are gone in the summer window. Eriksen is a likely departure, the frozen out Casemiro is being linked with Roma at the moment, Evans will be gone (maybe retired?), and then there's the Rashford saga. Plenty for the media to look at.