Joe Hugill stole the ‘Amad Diallo’ show at the weekend by scoring four goals for the under-23s as the young winger made his debut.
Diallo was a livewire in attack throughout. Hugill was every bit as oustanding.
He netted four goals, latching onto passes from Arnau Puigmal, Alvaro Fernandez and Shola Shoretire, as well as converting a penalty.
Had he not selflessly given a second spot-kick to Diallo, Hugill could have ended the game with five.
An impressive record
Hugill is now the under-23s joint leading scorer on eight goals, tying with Anthony Elanga, who missed the game against Liverpool through injury.
He also has six goals for the under-18s to his name, making it 14 goals in all competitions.
These 14 goals encompass 17 total appearances, of which just 10 have been starts.
It is even more impressive that six of Hugill’s 14 goals have now come in matches against Liverpool. He is displaying the temperament a top United player needs, to produce in big games.
Hugill scored goals in the 6-3 win at the weekend with both feet, with former United trainee David Jones telling MUTV after the game his performance was ‘clinical’.
The young striker also has two assists to his name, one for the under-23s and one for the under-18s.
Way ahead of schedule
Hugill is looking like one of the picks of United’s academy signings in the summer. He was snapped up from Sunderland, where he had already played and scored for the under-23s at just 16.
The young striker is still only 17. Just to look at him, you can see he is not quite ready for first team football. He appears too wiry and gangly, not yet filled out.
And yet he is still proving lethal in front of goal. As he develops physically, he could become a really top player. He has already shown an eye for goal and strong finishing ability.
United won’t rush him, but quietly, the club will be very pleased at how his first season has gone and how he has quickly stepped up to take under-23 football in his stride. He is easily on course to break the 20-goal mark in his first season at the club.
Solskjaer was asked about Diallo earlier today in his press conference and went out of his way to praise Hugill. He’s making quite an impression.
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