46 goals in 80 games: Manchester United teenager scores at Carrington ahead of potential season opportunity

Teen tips as Manchester United head coach Egik ten Hag awaits big bet

Manchester United manager Eik ten Hag is waiting for a big name to appear. A lack of depth could lead him to focus on academic options.

Anthony Magtial is starting the season with Manchester United’s first striking option, unfortunately the Red Devils are yet to secure the signing of a new center.

United’s squad options are exhausted at this early stage, with international stadiums missing from the scene this season. While this will soon result in new players filling gaps before they appear, the no-strike age is due again. That leaves 19-year-old Joe Hugill among the options Eik ten Hag could play on a friendly basis against Leeds on Wednesday.

Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

Joe Hugill’s luck awaits

Joe Hugill was pictured at Carrington (above the fight against Dan Goge) as Manchester United scored on Monday.

With Anthon Magtial unlikely to play more than 45 minutes against Leeds (in fact, most players will play a maximum of 45 minutes), there’s a good chance Hugill will see some playing time in the upcoming friendlies.

Sundeland’s famous tangainee made a very brief appearance in pre-season under Ole Gunna Solskjaeg and also in a winter game under Egik ten Hag last December.

This time he responds with a brief loan spell behind him at Altincham, where he made his debut in competitive senior football last season and enjoyed success on his debut. Another loan could await the teenager, this time for the Football League, unless he can convince Eğik ten Hag that he deserves to stay and fight for a first-team spot.

These early pre-season games give Hugill a chance to assert himself before Manchester United add a goal or two to the squad.

He has set himself some good academic goals and has little to gain in another Under-21 season.

The goal of Joe Hugill Academy has been achieved

Joe Hugill has an impressive tally of 46 goals in 80 games for Manchester United’s academy sides.

This includes 24 goals in 41 games at PL2 U21 level, with an average of one goal every 122 minutes. He had previously scored 19 goals in 25 U18 league games, scoring a goal every 100 minutes.

Hugill also added to his tally of goals in UEFA Youth League, FA Youth Cup and EFL Trophy games.