Manchester United’s aspiring forward has got nominated for Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for October.
Manchester United U23s’ boss Neil Wood endured an early shock into the new season when he saw his side left massively diluted in the frontline. Several big names in that team had sustained severe injuries, while others were sent on loan elsewhere.
There was a shortage of options to fill the void created at the heart of the attack. Ahead of the 2020-21 season, their firepower looked bleak and momentarily unprepared to match the competitiveness the Premier League 2 demands.
Signed from Sunderland in the last summer transfer window, Hugill got the call-up from Wood. Instead of plying his trade for the U18s side, Hugill, now 17, would join Manchester United’s U23s and start playing Premier League 2 football.
It was a massive step ups for the teenager. However, as you know, step ups brings in extra onus on players. And Hugill needed to perform to keep his berth secured on a long run.
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The Englishman played his first PL 2 game against their bitter rivals, Liverpool. The Red Devils lost the game with a 5-3 scoreline, but Hugill inspired his coach and his teammates with his individual traits having remained on the pitch for 67 minutes.
In the next game against Blackburn, Hugill was the first name to feature for United’s U23s.
He was on the pitch for the entirety of the ninety minutes and scored two goals to see out a highly-contested 2-2 draw earlier last month.
His performances for United’s under-23 side have been so good that it made some Premier League 2 managers pick Hugill’s name for the Player of the Month award for October.
Hugill will face close competition from the likes of Bryan Fiabema (Chelsea), Isaac Fletcher (Middlesbrough), Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka (Sunderland), Cole Palmer (Manchester City), and Rhys Williams (Liverpool) for the coveted award.
According to Transfermarkt, Joe Hugill has five Premier League 2 appearances to his name, scoring three goals and garnering one assist in the process.
Premier League’s Football Development Panel will reveal the results very soon.
What do you make of Joe Hugill’s performances for United U23s so far?