Joe Hugill names two improvements he needs to succeed at Manchester United after Ruud van Nistelrooy advice

Manchester United academy star Joe Hugill has named two improvements he needs to succeed at the club after receiving advice from Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Joe Hugill, who joined Manchester United from Sunderland’s academy in the summer of 2020, has been on several loan spells to advance his development.

Currently, the 21-year-old striker is on loan at League One club Wigan Athletic, where he scored twice against Bristol Rovers last month before being sidelined by an injury setback.

Hugill names improvements he needs to make

Hugill has been one of the more exciting strikers in United’s academy since joining the club. He has some important attributes, such as box movement, that can help him build a career.

However, at Old Trafford, there is more than he needs to work on and the striker is fully aware of that and is attempting to improve his game on loan.

In particular, the 21-year-old believes that he must improve his hold-up play while also building some extra size onto his slim build.

“I need to do a few little things, the hold-up play,” he told Sky Sports. “Getting a bit bigger, I’m still growing into my body a little bit and I’m still pretty young.

“I’d like to be further along, but it’s about getting that experience and learning more in the EFL.

“The focus is very much on Wigan this season, and I’m not looking too far ahead.”

Hugill details Van Nistelrooy advice

“I was too young to watch him play for United, but I spoke to my older brothers who were saying how good he was,” added Hugill when asked about the impact of Ruud van Nistelrooy at United.

“I’ve seen all the videos and all the goals. He was one of the best finishers the Premier League has ever seen.

“As soon as you heard he was coming in you were thinking, as a striker, it was perfect for me.

“Him and Rene [Hake] came in and they brought in new ideas, even if it’s the little things like being in the box, his movement, everything like that.

“I only had a few little sessions with him, but you could always tell, even just the way he passed the ball and how smooth it always was, that he played at the highest level and how good he was.”

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