Who is Godwill Kukonki? Meet Man Utd’s towering 16-year-old defender as he travels in Ruben Amorim’s first squad
TEEN sensation Godwill Kukonki looks destined for a future in Manchester United’s first-team after Ruben Amorim included him in his first travelling squad.
The Portuguese gaffer’s first match in charge of the club sees his troops take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road this afternoon.
United fans around the world have been wondering what Amorim‘s first starting XI will look like.
And some have been left shocked by Amorim’s decision to bring along teenager Kukonki, even if it was just to soak in the first-team squad experience without a place on the bench.
But who is the teenager that is currently the talk of the Old Trafford faithful?
SunSport is on hand to shed some light on the starlet, whom many believe has a bright future at the club.
How long has Kukonki been at Manchester United?
The 16-year-old defender, who was born in Stoke On Trent, joined United at the tender age of five after being discovered by their scouts.
He’s been an ever-present in the club’s youth teams over the years and has stood out as of late due to his incredible stature.
Kukonki stands at a whopping 6ft 5in and has shown no signs of slowing down when it comes to his growth.
His incredible build has served him well over the years, but it hasn’t been the sole reason for his success.
How Kukonki fared so far?
The left-sided centre-back has shown defensive prowess well beyond his years during his time at the club.
And they have played a major factor in his recent graduation to the club’s Under-18s squad.
Kukonki has well and truly risen to the challenge this season, showcasing great ability on and off the ball in addition to his physical qualities.
His ability to play out from the back, in particular, has been repeatedly heralded.
Kukonki has nine appearances for United’s Under-18s to his name so far this season, in which he’s scored one goal and bagged one assist.
And his impressive displays must have been relayed to Amorim, who has made the bold decision to include him in today’s matchday squad.
Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd
WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.
Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.
But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.
Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.
He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers.
The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.
And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.
Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.
Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.
United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”
And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.
For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.
What’s Kukonki said?
Kukonki, unsurprisingly, has yet to conduct any interviews.
He has, however, reflected on his brief United career on his Instagram account – which only includes four posts.
Late last month, he shared a series of snaps from his Uefa Youth League debut against Lithuanian ZK Zalgiris.
Along with a praying hands emoji, he wrote #UYL debut.”
He’ll no doubt post a similar photo if and when he makes his first-team debut.