Man United Striker Likened To Harry Kane Expected To Impress In Pre-Season

A Manchester United wonderkid will have the chance to become part of the senior team this season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad is stacked with a wide array of young talents. Heading into the pre-season, the Norwegian is keen to see who would tick a lot of boxes and join the first team.

Among the most notable youngsters expected to showcase their skill is Manchester United Under-23 striker Joe Hugill.

The 17-year-old first made the headlines in January when he scored four goals in Manchester United U-23’s 6-3 win over Liverpool.

Since then, Solskjaer himself stated that he will be “looking forward to seeing his development.”

Aside from his evident nose for goals, Manchester United academy coaches have always lauded Hugill for his physical attributes.

Towering at 6-foot-2, Hugill knows how to utilize his height and length. Adding the ability to score goals in bunches, the striker is even being likened to Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane.

Solskjaer handed Hugill his debut on Sunday when the Red Devils headed to Pride Park Stadium to play Derby County in their first pre-season match of the upcoming campaign.

Hugill didn’t manage to hit the back of the net, but he was pleased to “get some minutes in the tank” in his debut.

Speaking ahead of the friendly against Wayne Rooney’s side, Solskjaer reckoned that he is confident the current set of youngsters in his squad will prove that they are worthy of joining the big boys.

According to Solskjaer, the team has seasoned veterans in Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Alex Telles, but he is still “sure” the young group will try to “impress” him.

“I think they can impress me, I’m sure they will try to," Solskjaer told MUTV. "Young kids when they get a chance, they’re there because they’re good players now it’s seeing who can handle playing with the senior ones and who can fit in with the group. We’ve got a young group training but we’ve got some experience with Juan, Nemanja, Jesse, Alex, experienced pros."

Despite being optimistic about his young core, Solskjaer also admitted that some of them will be loaned out.

“Gradually, more and more players from the Euros will join in," the Red Devils boss said. “[The youngsters] will get a taste of some football. Then, roundabouts early August, some will go on loan. “

“We’ve already lined up a few and some of them are still in discussions between us and the players about where is the best place to go."