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Michael Carrick and his coaching team attended Manchester United Under-21s' match against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday evening. United's new head coach made the journey to Leigh Sports Village to show his support for the academy side.

Ruben Amorim once briefly stopped by to watch part of an academy fixture at Carrington, but he failed to commit to properly attending a youth match throughout his one-and-a-half-year reign. His predecessor, Erik ten Hag, did turn up to watch an U21 fixture at Altrincham in September 2022.

Carrick's assistant, Steve Holland, and first-team coaches Jonathan Woodgate and Travis Binnion, were all in attendance and sat alongside each other in a suite at Leigh Sports Village, say The Manchester Evening News.

Binnion previously served as U21 boss before being promoted to assist Darren Fletcher during his caretaker period and has remained part of the first-team coaching staff since Carrick's arrival.

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Stephen Torpey, academy chief, was also present on Tuesday. Torpey has overseen academy loans since Evans departed as head of loans and pathways last month.

Amorim's absence of backing for the academy was conspicuous, and supporters raised doubts about his commitment to young talent. Towards the conclusion of Amorim's reign, he attracted criticism when he claimed Harry Amass was "struggling" on loan in the Championship and highlighted Chido Obi not featuring in every U21 match.

When quizzed about whether Kobbie Mainoo could force his way into the starting XI, Amorim unprompted remarked: "[Harry] Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido is not always a starter in U21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying sack the manager."

During the press conference, Amorim also referenced Toby Collyer, stating: "He's from the academy, he played here, went to West Bromwich, he's not playing. He played for Manchester United."

Sources close to several academy players told The Manchester Evening News that Amorim's remarks were considered disappointing.

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