Manchester United's injury pile-up could hand senior involvement to academy defenders Jaydan Kamason and Daniel Armer for Wednesday's trip to Como. Up to TEN senior players could be unavailable, and Michael Carrick has already framed Armer as someone who may have to "sample" first-team life.

United's shortage before Como

Leny Yoro is ruled out through suspension after his red card in the Spanish capital. Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Ayden Heaven all missed Tuesday morning's training session at Carrington, which leaves United's defensive options looking thin before a Champions League game they cannot really treat lightly.

The league numbers show why the margin is tight. United sit 13th in the Premier League with 7 points from 7 matches, and they are also 13th in the Champions League standings with 3 points from 2 matches. They have scored 10 league goals and conceded 10, a decent reminder that the side is already living close to the edge.

Kamason and Armer are already in the conversation

Kamason's route has not come from nowhere. The 19-year-old joined United in July 2023 from the Academy's Emerging Talent Programme, signed a new contract in April to run until 2028, and has already made 4 Premier League appearances this season. He also scored and set up two goals in the 5-0 friendly win over Rosenborg, while Armer was named in a senior matchday squad for the first time last week against Atletico Madrid.

Kamason told standard.co.uk: "Last season, unfortunately, I had two injuries. Hopefully this season will be more positive. I'm just trying to stay fit now and show my ability on the pitch."

Carrick's wording points in the same direction. Speaking to standard.co.uk, he said: "We're not light on numbers, it's good for the likes of Dan to sample it. He's been around a long time and he's worked so hard to get to this stage." That sounds less like a token youth call-up and more like a real chance for both defenders to be around the first team if the absences hold through to Wednesday.

United still have a decision to make, but the academy pair are now part of it. If the senior absentees remain unavailable, Como could be the night Kamason and Armer move from emergency options to actual squad options.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →