Manchester United to complete deal for exciting first summer signing

According to the latest reports, Manchester United have agreed a deal for their first summer signing with the transfer window set to open in over a month.

When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sat down in the dugout at Manchester United, it was clear he had a different plan in mind than his predecessors.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby had set the precedent at Old Trafford for the recipe for success. The club’s legendary managers were staunch advocates of promoting youth.

The youth players they brought through were often fundamental to the success of the team. There is a reason why Busby’s side were dubbed the ‘Busby Babes’ and Ferguson’s own fledgling team often belonged to the famous Class of 92.

But Solskjaer’s predecessors such as Jose Mourinho often seemed to neglect the youth.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seemed adamant to not make the same mistake.

The Norwegian played alongside some of the Class of 92 and experienced first hand the way Ferguson’s youth policy functioned. Under Solskjaer’s playing spell, Ferguson did not just promote youth from the academy, he also bought young players. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were all signed by the Red Devils as teenagers.

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Ferguson’s policy proved to be a major success, with the Scotsman creating a hegemony in England for several decades.

And it seems, Solskjaer is trying to replicate the same formula.

The Norwegian has already brought through several exciting academy talents such as Brandon Williams and Mason Greenwood, whilst also helping other academy products like Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay thrive under his leadership.

But just like Ferguson, Solskjaer is not just concentrating on the academy, he is also trying to buy young players and help them hone their skills at Old Trafford.

Last summer he signed the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, meanwhile this summer he has been heavily linked with a move for Jadon Sancho.

His purported first signing of the summer is expected to be a young star too.

According to the Daily Mail the Red Devils have agreed a deal to sign Joe Hugill from Sunderland who is expected to join the club in the summer when the current travel restrictions are lifted.

Joe Hugill is just 16 years of age and plays as a forward. Despite his young age he has already represented Sunderland at U23 level.

Of course, Joe Hugill will not be playing in the first team for some time, but with a decent record at U18 level, he seems like a promising prospect and he could be an exciting talent to watch in the future.

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Are you happy with the signing of Joe Hugill?