Amorim has been impressed by the pair in training (Picture: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United youngsters Jack Kingdon and Godwill Kukonki are in contention to be included in Ruben Amorim’s squad for this week’s Europa League clash against Bodo/Glimt.
United were without a number of first-team defenders for Amorim’s first game in charge against Ipswich Town on Sunday where the Portuguese introduced his new 3-4-3 formation.
Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans occupied the three centre-half roles with Luke Shaw coming on in the second-half to replace the latter for his first appearance of the season.
Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof missed the trip to Portman Road and it remains to be seen whether they will be in contention on Thursday.
More absences could see 19-year-old defender Kingdon included in the matchday squad after training with the first-team group on Monday, the Manchester Evening News report.
16-year-old Kukonki could also feature in the squad after catching Amorim’s eye in training.
The defender travelled to Ipswich on Sunday and while he did not make the matchday squad, the gesture was seen as recognition of his fine efforts in the academy and a chance to hand valuable experience to the youngster.
Kingdon highly regarded at United (Picture: Getty)
United’s Under-19s have flown out to Netherlands with Harry Amass, Louis Jackson, Habeeb Ogunneye, Jack Fletcher and Ethan Wheatley among those to have made the trip for the Uefa Youth League clash against AZ Alkmaar.
But Kingdon and Kukonki have remained in Manchester.
Who is Jack Kingdon?
Kingdon has made excellent progress through United’s youth ranks since joining the club as a 15-year-old from Morecambe, captaining Scotland at Under-18 level for the first time last year. He was involved in first-team training under Erik ten Hag’s reign earlier this year, starting six Premier League 2 games this term.
Kingdon, alongside James Nolan was part of the side that won the U18 title (Picture: Getty)
Standing at 6ft 1in and notable for his excellent pace, the 19-year-old played a key role in the Under-18s treble success last season
Who is Godwill Kukonki?
Kukonki is a left-footed centre-half who has already shown to be a versatile option across the backline, also filling in at left-back
While he recently made the Under-21s squad, the teenager has shone for the Under-18s this term, playing eight out of nine games for a side still to drop points in the league this term having also kept seven clean sheets in that run.
Kukonki travelled with the squad to Ipswich on Sunday (Picture: Man Utd via Getty Images)
Given his versatility and physical attributes, there have been early comparisons with Manchester City star Josko Gvardiol.
Despite his tender years, Kukonki stands at a towering 6ft 5ins. Being a natural left-footer, he is an interesting option Amorim may consider going forward in that back three system.