Erik ten Hag taken aback by ‘different’ Man Utd youngster who could give him a new option

Add as preferred source on Google

Loan moves can be the golden ticket for young players looking to accelerate this progress and return to their clubs with a new more senior status.

David Beckham and Danny Welbeck are two who used loan spells positively during the early stages of their careers. More recently, Amad’s spell at Sunderland where he scored 16 goals was clearly good for his development.

Others can find it more ‘miss’ than ‘hit’, and get lost in the shuffle if the loan does not go to plan. Hannibal Mejbri is one of those players.

Another is young striker Joe Hugill, who scored on his debut on loan at Burton earlier in 2024, and then faded, failing to score another goal.

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

Joe Hugill impresses Erik ten Hag

Joe Hugill signed for Manchester United from Sunderland in 2020 and has been a prolific goalscorer at academy level.

Despite this, he has never made a competitive appearance for Manchester United, and looked to be overtaken by Ethan Wheatley, a younger exciting striker who impressed in the academy while he was out on loan.

At the weekend against Rangers, Joe Hugill offered a reminder that he is still here.

After Wheatley came close to scoring in the first half when his shot was cleared off the line, Hugill almost burst the net in the second half with a clinical strike after being put through by Maxi Oyedele.

Hugill did score for United in pre-season against Leeds last year, but was unable to build on this when given a chance against Dortmund in the USA tour. He ended up as an afterthought.

Speaking after United’s pre-season win over Rangers, in which Hugill scored the second goal, Erik ten Hag acknowledged Hugill’s contribution and admitted being a little taken aback.

He said, after speaking about Amad solidifying his first team role with his standout performance, that Hugill was one of the players who impressed.

Ten Hag told United media: “Joe Hugill is different, that is a player, a young player, who we had much more today on the pitch. I have to say, they were both mixed teams, it was enjoyable to watch, I’m very happy; I’m pleased of course with some performances from some young players.”

Ten Hag sounded pleasantly surprised to see Hugill score, and it’s possible he will land a place on the USA tour to try and show what he can do.

Hugill working with Van Nistelrooy

Hugill signed a new contract in January which will run to June 2026. This was in contrast to Charlie McNeill, who was released, having signed with United in the same summer.

Still only 20, Hugill is a talent United could yet sharpen into a useful contributor.

The youngster spoke after the game about the ‘massive’ impact new coach Ruud van Nistelrooy had made on him already.

Goalscorers are hard to come by, and Hugill has netted 55 times for United’s academy teams since joining the club.

While United have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, plus Ethan Wheatley and possibly exciting teenager Chido Obi-Martin if he signs, Hugill has given himself a chance after his goal at the weekend.

If he is given a chance to build on his goal at the weekend, it is essential he takes it.

And if another loan is his next step, then he needs to use this time with Van Nistelrooy to soak in as much intelligence as he can.