Ibragimov flourishing after senior Russia call-up

Manchester United's Amir Ibragimov celebrates his Premier League 2 goal against Leicester in August [Getty Images] Young striker Amir Ibragimov is benefitting from his first taste of senior international football last summer, according to Manchester United's Under-21 coach Adam Lawrence. The 18-year-old became the third-youngest player to win a full cap for Russia when he made his debut against Burkina Faso in June. Although he has been left out of the expanded 38-man squad for the forthcoming matches against Iran, Namibia and Nigeria, Ibragimov has caught the eye at youth level for United. He scored in Premier League 2 and Uefa Youth League victories as he fitted into a false nine role. "He learned a lot from going on international duty over the summer," said Lawrence. "He came back with a couple of things in terms of the intensity of the game at that level and some of the details around his game he really wanted to focus on. "If I look at his levels from the start of the season in terms of the qualities he's showing, recognising when to drop in, when to run in behind and being a goal threat, he's in a good space." Ibragimov had previously been thought of as a number 10, but that was the position JJ Gabriel slotted into at Under-18 level last season. Ibragimov missed a significant chunk of last season due to a broken foot and with Gabriel now destined to leave, it remains to be seen if Lawrence will tinker with his position. "He could end up as a centre-forward or an attacking midfield player," he said. "He's at his best when he's in the middle of the pitch because he likes to be involved in the game; whether that's from deeper coming onto things or from higher up the pitch and dropping in, a sort of 8-10-9 position. "He's got some real ability and potential to create and score goals. But obviously when he plays in midfield, he brings a lot of energy and intensity, and his team-mates follow him in that way as well. "Most importantly at the moment, he's fit and strong, and his performances have been at a good level, so he has a real good platform to work on for the rest of the season."