Manchester United promote another teenager to training with only two CBs fit to face Bournemouth

Manchester United have promote teenager Jack Kingdon to first-team training for the first time amid their ongoing defensive injury crisis.

United are set to have just two centre-backs fit for their trip to face Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend after they confirmed a fresh double injury blow earlier this week. Raphael Varane is set for a few weeks on the sidelines after suffering a muscle injury, while Jonny Evans will also be missing through a less serious injury.

Erik ten Hag’s side are already without Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof for the rest of the month, with Harry Maguire and Willy Kambwala the only fit centre-backs available. They are both expected to keep their starting roles tomorrow, while Kingdon could be named on the bench.

Kingdon has played a key role for United U18s so far this season, starting 13 games in total. The 18-year-old is a natural at centre-back and is the most obvious choice to make the step up to the senior set-up, given that fellow defender Rhys Bennett is currently registered to play for League Two side Stockport County. United signed the teenage defender for a six-figure sum from Morecambe in November 2020, following a successful two-week trial period at the club.

Ten Hag is likely to name a number of academy graduates on the bench tomorrow night with Habeeb Ogunneye and Harry Amass both in line to be involved as well. The next homegrown player to make their senior debut will become the 250th academy graduate to do so.