Ruben Amorim can improve five Manchester United players after Bruno Fernandes comment

Across his two-and-a-bit years in charge of Manchester United, there was at least some progress made under Erik ten Hag, aside from those memorable cup final victories.

Having taken over an ageing team - and then initially made them even older still - there has been progress recently in reducing the profile of this squad. It hasn't entirely changed, and there is always a place for experience. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen both looked to be on the way out this summer, but the pair of 32-year-olds have been amongst United's best players so far.

But a pivot to focusing on more youthful signings has started to pay dividends. United's average age of their regular Premier League starting XI has dropped by between two and three years since Ten Hag's first season. Now it is up to Ruben Amorim to nurture that talent.

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Gradually, United have phased out some older faces and brought in younger players. Academy graduates such as Kobbie Mainoo, 19, and Alejandro Garnacho, 20, have become key first-team players.

Andre Onana is six years younger than David de Gea. If Amorim picks a three-man defence of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lisandro Martinez, they will be aged 19, 25, and 26. Manuel Ugarte is 23, Amad is 22 and Rasmus Hojlund is 21.

This is a team with plenty of development to come. Just because they're young doesn't mean they will go on to reach the heights required, and it is inevitable some will fall by the wayside, but there is potential there for Amorim to work with.

At 39, he is a young head coach himself. His assistant, Carlos