Manchester United academy defender Godwill Kukonki faces fresh uncertainty over his Old Trafford future after being left out of a group of nine youngsters handed first professional contracts.
The 18-year-old was regularly around the senior squad last season but has not featured during Michael Carrick’s first-team pre-season programme.
Manchester United officially confirmed nine new professional contracts on Wednesday, with Albert Mills, Louie Bradbury, Jacob Watson, Neithan Barbosa, Charlie Hardy, Cameron Byrne-Hughes, Jayden Ngwashi, Nathaniel-Junior Brown and Rafe McCormack all securing first-year terms.
Kukonki’s name was conspicuously absent.
The Sun reports that the highly-rated defender now faces uncertainty over his future, although a new Manchester United contract has not been ruled out. Sources told the outlet that United are dealing with some remaining agreements separately rather than announcing them alongside Wednesday’s group.
Godwill Kukonki Man Utd future comes under spotlight
Kukonki is on a slightly different development timeline to many of the players announced by United because he is entering what would currently be a third year as a scholar.
The 6ft 5in defender was given significant exposure to senior football under Ruben Amorim. He travelled with the first team and was named among the substitutes on seven occasions, although he is still waiting to make his competitive United debut.
His situation contrasts with the opportunities being handed to other Carrington prospects this summer.
JJ Gabriel has already made his first-team bow under Carrick, while Dan Armer was taken with the senior squad for the recent friendly against Paris Saint-Germain. ReadManUtd covered United’s determination to keep Gabriel as rival clubs circle on Tuesday.
Kukonki has instead been working with the Under-21 group and has not featured in Carrick’s senior pre-season matches.
That does not necessarily signal the end of his United career. The Sun stresses that a professional agreement can still be completed separately.
But after a season in which Kukonki appeared to be moving closer to the first team, his omission from Wednesday’s nine-player announcement leaves his next step firmly under scrutiny.
