'Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Names 17-Year-Old Who’s Ahead Of Amad Diallo In Manchester United Plans

News 3:16 AM

Ole Gunnar has named the 17-year-old striker who's ahead of wonderkid Amad Diallo when it comes to a Manchester United first-team debut.

Joe Hugill scored four goals in United's 6-3 win against Liverpool in an under-23 game on Saturday. It was a match which also saw Diallo impress on his first appearance in a United shirt.

But when asked about the 18-year-old Ivorian, signed from Atalanta in January for a fee which could rise to £37 million, Solskjaer claimed it's English forward Hugill who's ahead in the pecking order when it comes to a senior debut.

"We're going to give him the time to settle in," said the United manager of the highly-rated Diallo.

"If we go from that game [against Liverpool], I'd pick Joe Hugill.

"Four goals by Hugill, he's a top striker as well, we're looking forward to seeing his development."

Solskjaer, an elite-level goalscorer himself, even jokingly questioned why Hugill let Diallo take a late penalty (which he converted via a panenka) instead of aiming for five goals against United's rivals.

"Amad gets a good start and why Joe didn't take the penalty himself to get five goals? I'm going to ask him," he added.

Diallo's brace and Hugill's four meant the pair shared all of the goals against Liverpool. The highlights show Hugill - who only turned 17 in October - finishing expertly against some admittedly hapless opposition defending. Possibly because every single able centre-back at any age has been called up to the Liverpool first team.

Manchester United have had a reputation for producing elite attacking talent, particularly in recent years as Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood have spectacularly broken through into the first team.

Hugill - who joined Man United's academy from Sunderland last summer - has hit the ground running this season with 14 goals in 18 games for the under-18 and under-23 squads.

It's too soon to be burdening him with the label of the next attacker on the Rashford-Greenwood production line. But it's clear Solskjaer fancies his first-team chances and an opportunity may yet come this season.

Featured image credit: PA Images/Manchester United



source https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-names-17-year-old-whos-ahead-of-amad-diallo-20210202

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