Manchester United youngster Joe Hugill has spoken about his experience training alongside five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo this season.
The young striker, who joined United’s academy from Sunderland in 2020, scored 16 goals last season and currently has 15 goals to his name this term.
Hugill will be hoping to not only equal but better last season’s tally when he takes to the pitch in tonight’s FA Youth Cup final against Nottingham Forest.
In front of a packed Old Trafford, the 18-year-old and his team-mates are on the hunt for silverware, with the club looking for its 11th triumph in the FA Youth Cup.
Ahead of the eagerly awaited final, Hugill has revealed how he has been learning from both Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani when training with the senior team.
It’s great preparation for some of these players to be training with our best players, even though it has been a terrible season for our first team. Now the U18s has the opportunity to be our shining light this year.
The academy prospect told The Athletic: “I loved it, being over there a few times. Learning off the greatest player ever in Ronaldo. Cavani there, too.
“They are always giving you tips on moving in the box, where you can be, where you don’t want to be. Theree are all helpful over there, it’s been a big step in my career.
“I scored a few goals in training games, played with Ronaldo, Sancho, Rashford. Seeing what they’re doing, how you can adapt that to your game. You want advice off great players – whether you’re asking them, that’s helpful, but they come over to you as well.”
