Manchester United player-coach Tom Huddlestone has made a bold claim that youth academy prospect Omari Forson reminds him of one Arsenal star’s style of play.
Omari Forson has been part of the Manchester United youth academy setup and the 19-year-old has been presented with first-team minutes in the current campaign.
United manager Erik ten Hag brought Forson off the bench for a brief cameo appearance in his side’s 2-0 win over Wigan in the third round of the FA Cup.
Forson received his Premier League debut after he came off the bench and set up Kobbie Mainoo for the United star’s winner against Wolves in a 4-3 victory.
The United player made a surprise first Premier League start on Saturday in the Red Devils’ 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag was forced to shuffle his frontline after an injury to Rasmus Hojlund, with Marcus Rashford starting up top and Forson being deployed out on the wing.
Forson played 53 minutes in the match against Fulham before he was withdrawn for Christian Eriksen, with United fans immediately reacting to his performance.
While the United player’s performance was largely forgettable at Old Trafford, Tom Huddlestone has insisted that there is more to come from Forson.
READ MORE: Tom Huddlestone claims Kobbie Mainoo reminds him of ‘younger version’ of Man City cult hero
Huddlestone talks Man Utd player Forson
Tom Huddlestone has been at Old Trafford since 2022 after he was released by Hull City, with the former Tottenham star taking up the role of player-coach.
The 37-year-old midfielder, who has played in matches this season, succeeded Paul McShane in his current role and has been working closely with the under-21s team.
Huddlestone praised Omari Forson’s development at Old Trafford and highlighted that the teenager is superb with both feet and can “finish very well.”
The former England international praised United academy prospect Forson further by claiming that he “reminds” him of Arsenal star Bukayo Saka in his playstyle.
“He reminds me of the way Bukayo Saka plays,” he told SPORTbible.
“He’s good with both feet and can finish very well, especially with his left foot.”
Huddlestone on Man Utd academy coaching
Huddlestone revealed that United’s academy coaching staff has been laying the all-important foundation for youth players ahead of their promotion to the first team.
The United player-coach added that they want to ensure an “easier transition” to the senior team and have been working with the coaching staff to implement the process.
“The coaching staff have been open with us and we’re trying to implement a few of their ideas to make it an easier transition if any of the lads are to step up or join them for training,” Huddlestone explained.
“This includes build-up play and the way we press.
“I think an important one, which a lot of the lads haven’t done, is the way the first team is set up from set pieces.
“We’ve had meetings with the staff regarding that and we’ll mirror what they do.
“If you’re a young lad and get thrown on in the last ten minutes of a game, and you don’t know what you’re doing at set pieces, you’ll soon find yourself out of the team.”
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