Man Utd to agree deal with wonderkid who impressed Ruben Amorim in first training session

Manchester United are set to sign young star Godwill Kukonki to his first professional contract. The 17-year-old will put pen to paper on a deal at Old Trafford having made a promising start under Ruben Amorim, per the MEN.

The towering youngster stands at 6ft 5ins and has already left an impression on United's Portuguese head coach. Kokonki is said to have impressed Amorim in the boss' first training session and travelled with the squad to face Ipswich.

The teenager went on to make the squad against Arsenal in December and made squads in the Europa League when United defeated Lyon. Kukonki also made the end of season tour of Asia and started in the 3-1 win over Hong Kong and came off the bench in defeat to ASEAN All-Stars.

The England under-17 international can play in the centre of defence or at left-back. Kukonki played 14 times for United's under-18 side and in the Premier League 2 play-offs as United defeated Everton and West Ham before losing in the semi-final against rivals Manchester City.

Amorim was quickly impressed with Kukonki's physicality upon his arrival and commended the defender's maturity. "He's 16," said the boss to MUTV.

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"But he impressed me a lot, so it's also a sign to the youth players that they can be here.

"If something happened with the first-team squad, they have to step up and I think he's ready, he's very adult to handle the demands of the Premier League."

After making the bench for the first time against Arsenal, Kukonki said on social media: "Valuable experience with the squad. Thanks to the manager and the staff for this opportunity. Thank God."

Kukonki's early opportunities came amid a major injury crisis in defence for United after Amorim's arrival. Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw all picked up issues to put them on the sidelines.

It is said Kukonki's ambition is to push for his United debut despite his tender age after making his way through the age groups at the club. The Stoke-on-Trent born prospect has already drawn early comparisons with Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol.

Kukonki could still become the youngest defender to ever represent United at a senior level in the league. No United defender has ever played in the Premier League before turning 18.

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