Manchester United starlet names three first-team inspirations, he impressed in pre-season

Manchester United starlet Joe Hugill has named three first-team inspirations after his impressive performances in pre-season.

Joe Hugill joined Manchester United in the summer of 2020 from Sunderland’s academy and has since been on multiple loans as he looks to develop his game.

This season, the 21-year-old striker is spending his time on loan at League One side Wigan Athletic. He scored a brace against Bristol Rovers last month before an injury setback.

As always, the young players in the academy at Carrington will have specific players they look up to in the first-team squad.

Hugill names first-team inspirations

While you could look at players in your position, Hugill instead has highlighted those who have made the jump from the academy to Erik ten Hag’s squad in Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

They have shown that the pathway is possible for him. The striker also mentioned Amad Diallo, who he played with in the Under-23s when the Ivorian first joined the club.

“I signed at the same time as Garnacho,” Hugill told Sky Sports. “He had a slow start but he’s kicked on massively. Similar to Amad as well. It can take time to settle in.

“You can see Kobbie as well smashing it in the first team. I played with him since I got to United. And he hasn’t changed how he plays – that freedom, that driving with the ball, the way he finds the pass. He always had all that.

“It shows that the pathway is there, and that’s where I want to be as well.”

Hugill’s impressive pre-season goal

Hugill managed to make an impression in the summer with a stunning goal against Rangers in a pre-season friendly.

He received a through ball and immediately struck the ball with conviction and power, with the shot rocketing off the underside of the crossbar and going into the back of the net.

United posted a clip after the game where new assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy was speaking with Hugill on the touchline.

That was days before his loan deal to Wigan was confirmed, but the youngster will be hoping for more moments like that in red.

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