Manchester United’s record of naming an academy player in every team for 88 years was kept alive against Tottenham Hotspur despite a key injury.
Academy graduate Kobe Maino did not travel to London due to a minor injury that puts United’s historic and proud record at risk.
However, Ruben Amorim named midfielder Jack Fletcher in the squad to maintain a record 4,333rd consecutive match.
United have named an academy player in every match day squad since 1937.
Maino has maintained that record over the past four games as the only academy graduate in the first team but was replaced by Fletcher against Tottenham.
The 18-year-old, who is yet to make his first-team debut, is the son of United veteran Darren Fletcher.
“It’s really important,” Amorim told TNT Sports about the academy’s continued record.
“We’re in a moment where if we cut corners to achieve success immediately, it’s wrong.
“There is something special about our club that has to be bulletproof. The way we act, the way we feel about the club.
“We will not stop at the academy players. It does not matter the result. We will continue with these small details that are the foundations of our club.
“We have this record, and we are not going to break this record. Jack is ready to help us. We will show that our academy is our future. The players in our academy must be willing to help us.”
Jack and his twin Tyler joined United from Manchester City’s academy two years ago.
Jack represents the England Under-19 team while Tyler represents Scotland.
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Tom Heaton and Tyler Frederikson are other options who have previously been in United’s first-team squad.
United’s proud record of naming an academy player in every team for every match began 88 years ago when Tom Manley and Jack Wassall played against Fulham.
United consider a homegrown player to be a player who joined before the age of 21 if they have not played for another club, and who played for United’s youth team.
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Paulinha, Spence, Sarr, Johnson, Simons, Richarlison, Kolo Mwani.
Subs: Kinski, Danso, Till, Odubert, Udoji, Bentancur, Scarlett, Akhamrich, Roswell.
Manchester United XI: Lammence, from Ligt, Maguire, Shaw, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Dorjo, Amad, Mbeumo, Cunha.
Subs: Bender, Euro, Dalot, Mount, Zirkzee, Sisco, Ugarte, Heaven, Fletcher.
