RUBEN'S FAITH IN HIS ROOKIES

Amorim trusts academy talent to fill in for stars going to Africa

- BY STEVEN RAILSTON

RUBEN AMORIM is prepared to give youth a chance as Manchester United prepare for life without their African stars.

Key players such as Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) will head off to the Africa Cup of Nations in less than a month from now and Amorim is ready to blood academy youngsters now in order to be prepared for what is coming.

The Manchester United manager talked up winger Shea Lacey and midfielder Jack Fletcher when he was asked how the team would cope in January.

Lacey and Fletcher took part in first-team training at Carrington on Friday morning, suggesting they have a chance of being in tonight's squad when Everton visit Old Trafford.