Manchester United ran out 1-0 winners against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup, with an unfamiliar face around the first-team frame – Habeeb Ogunneye.
The young academy talent was drafted into the first-team squad thanks to an absolute injury crisis at Manchester United – particularly in the full-back slots.
United had a make-shift left-back of Sofyan Amrabat, who did have a good game, and little to no backup on the right for Diogo Dalot thanks to Aaron Wan-Bissaka‘s absence.
This meant Ogunneye, an 18-year-old right-back in the academy sides, was granted his first-ever appearance in a Manchester United first-team matchday squad.
Habeeb Ogunneye sends message on first-team call-up
Although he did not feature, he was happy to be in and among it for Manchester United‘s first-team.
The 18-year-old took to Instagram the morning after the victory to post the following six-word message. It read: “Happy to be around it yesterday.”
He got some responses from fellow United academy stars, including the likes of Charlie McNeill, Dan Gore, Maxi Oyedele, Ethan Ennis, Toby Collyer, Sam Mather and more.
Yet another youngster on the first-team horizon for Manchester United
Naturally – this was down to injuries, but it’s yet another youngster coming through to the roster for Manchester United.
In the past few years under Erik ten Hag, the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Omari Forson, Dan Gore and Willy Kambwala have all been handed debuts by Ten Hag.
As much scrutiny as he sometimes gets – one thing can’t be questioned, he puts faith in young talent, which has always been the Manchester United way.
Ogunneye didn’t get any minutes against Forest, but he’ll likely get his shot one day much like those before him.
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