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Yuel Helafu: Amorim has found a diamond in the rough
Oct 29 2025 23:39 · By onefootball.com · 20 Reads
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One area where Manchester United could do with more quality is out wide, with Ruben Amorim depending on wingbacks to provide the width.
Amad is currently the first-choice right-sided wingback, but he is far better further forward while defensively, he can be found wanting at times.
Both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui can play there, but they lack the attacking qualities to thrive in the head coach’s 3-4-3 system.
On the left, Patrick Dorgu is the sole out-and-out wingback, which is why the Portuguese tactician has been looking to the club’s famed academy for solutions.
James Overy has caught his eye, with the Australian called up to senior training three times in the past week.
But the Australia U20 international is not a regular for the U21s, and he must first prove himself under Travis Binnion before he can make the step-up to the senior team.
One player who is starting to show signs of being ready for that next step is Yuel Helafu . The 17-year-old started back-to-back games against Barnsley in the EFL Trophy before keeping his place for the PL2 match against Tottenham Hotspur.
And as per The Daily Mail , Amorim has liked what he has seen, with the Leeds-born defender called up to first team training this week.
The club are obviously not getting carried away and know he has a lot to improve on, especially positionally, but they feel they have a potential diamond in the rough.
“On the other side of United’s defence, it has been really promising to see Yuel Helafu make back-to-back Under 21s starts in the past week. The 17-year-old was handed a debut at Barnsley and then kept his place against Spurs.
“Helafu has been involved in multiple first-team sessions already this season, and his rapid rise has caught some United staff off guard.
“Positionally he still has work to do, but United are hopeful they have a full back diamond in the rough.”
High praise indeed, and hopefully, he can carry on in the same vein, both in training and during games.
Feature image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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