MANCHESTER UNITED’S three Ibragimov brothers are 12, 14 and 15 – but off the scale for potential.
All three scored at academy level over Easter – with the eldest, Amir, training with the first team and being likened to Wayne Rooney.
Amir and Gazik have appeared together in Man Utd colours[/caption] Amir Ibragimov has met ex-United chief Alex Ferguson[/caption] Eldest brother Ibragim, 19, is an MMA starlet eyeing a UFC spot[/caption]And as they fight for a spectacular triple breakthrough in the long term, they have MMA-star bruv Ibragim looking over them aged 19!
United are excited by the technical skills and potential of Amir, Gazik and youngest brother Muhammad.
But so far it’s the first-of-the-three who at just 15 has had coaches raving the most – even meeting legendary ex-boss Alex Ferguson.
The Russian-born midfielder captained United’s Under-14s and U-15s after switching from the Sheffield United academy.
Now Amir has been capped by England youths and become a stand-out prospect for the Red Devils in the U-18s.
But most impressive of all, he was called in to train with Erik ten Hag‘s senior squad on Easter Friday.
And in fact it that holiday weekend neatly sums up the rapid progress made by the three kids.
Amir netted from close range for the U-21s in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Monaco.
Amir Ibragimov has fired spectacular goals and won rave reviews this term[/caption]Middle bruv Gazik thumped the winning penalty in a GA Cup match.
And Muhammad threaded home a 20-yard free-kick for United’s Under-12s in the Mic Football Cup, which features many of the world’s leading academy teams.
Inside Ratcliffe's Man Utd plans
Everything you need to know as Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes charge at Manchester United...
- Ratcliffe opens door for controversial Mason Greenwood return
- We’re not a brutal organisation, but…’ – Ratcliffe on Ten Hag’s future
- Inside Ratcliffe’s five-window transfer plan… including Rashford
- Ratcliffe channels Fergie with iconic warning to Man City and Liverpool
- Inside plans to turn Old Trafford into ‘Wembley of the North’
Once the clip of all three goals was posted on social media, fans immediately noticed the brothers had exactly the same, three-part celebration.
Each ran off while raising their hands in front of their chest, dropped to their knees and kissed the turf.
And with Ten Hag’s men preparing to visit Chelsea, one viewer joked: “Start them all Thursday night.”
Raducio King, the coach who brought Amir to United, has said: “I could see him playing as a No.10, like a Wayne Rooney role, driving forward, switching balls, tackling, attacking, you name it.
“We don’t want Amir to lose his style or creativity and, as his coach, he has all the tools to succeed.”
Some might think if just one Ibragimov brother becomes a Premier League star it would be a success, given how tough it is for young talent to go all the way.
But United of course have history with brotherly brilliance.
Bobby Charlton is an all-time great whose older sibling Jack never played for the Red Devils but played alongside him when England won the 1966 World Cup.
Then Gary and Phil Neville became long-serving fixtures in United’s defence.
So perhaps, with three brothers going for it instead of only two, the Ibragimovs might reckon the odds are in their favour!