Manchester United are keeping close tabs on Joe Hugill’s progress and he will now play for an Old Trafford hero with his loan club.
Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo may have gone straight from the academy to becoming Manchester United first-team stars, but others need loan exposure.
EFL loans are great experience for United talents and there are a number of prospects plying their trade away from Old Trafford.
Ethan Wheatley signed for Walsall in January whilst Sam Mather and Louis Jackson joined Tranmere Rovers on deadline day.
The hope is that those players will go away, learn about the pressures of playing senior football and return to United improved.
Not all loans work out perfectly though and one player has been forced to drop down a division to continues his development.
Joe Hugill set to play under Manchester United hero
One such example is Joe Hugill.
Striker Hugill joined Wigan Athletic over the summer after a mixed spell with Burton Albion last season.
Hugill managed three goals in 13 League One games but Wigan still sent him back to United.
Hugill recently joined League Two’s bottom side Carlisle United on loan in an attempt to get back on track.
That idea took a blow this week as Carlisle sacked boss Mike Williamson – their second sacking of the season.
Carlisle have now announced their new manager – and it’s a very familiar name to United fans.
Mark Hughes has taken the Brunton Park hot seat, returning to management after more than a year out of the game.
Welshman Hughes was a star in two spells as a United player during the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Becoming Manchester City boss down the line soured that hero reputation for some fans, but there can be no doubting his quality as a player.
Hughes was a prolific goalscorer in his playing days and the hope is that he can impart some of his wisdom on Hugill.
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
Steven Gerrard misses out
Hughes is a big name and still a high-profile appointment in League Two despite being axed by Bradford City.
Hugill should be relishing the chance to work under Hughes but it could have been another big name taking charge.
The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Carlisle were launching an ambitious move for Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard is out of work after leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq but few could have expected a move to League Two.
Carlisle surely didn’t get far with any approach and United fans will probably be pleased that Hugill isn’t working under the former Liverpool man for the rest of the season.
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