Manchester United youngster Joe Hugill reveals how tips from Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani have helped him prepare for club’s first FA Youth Cup final in over a decade
- Manchester United play Nottingham Forest in the FA Youth Cup final
- Joe Hugill has trained with the senior squad on a number of occasions
- The youngster has received tips from Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani
Manchester United youth prospect Joe Hugill has revealed how he has been receiving tips from two of the best strikers of their generation in Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani.
The Under-18s side are currently gearing up for their first FA Youth Cup final in over a decade when they meet Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening.
Ahead of the final, Hugill has revealed how he has been learning from both Ronaldo and Cavani when training with the senior team and that it has helped him prepare for the cup final.
Joe Hugill and Manchester United’s Under-18s are preparing for the FA Youth Cup final
Hugill has revealed he has been receiving tips from Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani
He told the Athletic: ‘I loved being over there (with the senior team) a few times.
‘Learning off the greatest player ever in Ronaldo. Cavani too. They are always giving you tips on moving in the box, where you can be, where you don’t want to be.
‘You know the stature of the club, they are great players, but you want to show what you can do as well.
‘You focus on your training, hopefully you impress. I scored a few goals in training games.’
In Ronaldo and Cavani, he is learning from two top calibre players with incredible goal records.
Ronaldo has scored over 800 goals for club and country while Cavani has over 400.
Hugill is one of a number of youth prospects who have trained alongside the senior squad
Hugill is one of a number of talented United youngsters who have been involved in senior sessions, also including the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Jurado and Charlie McNeill.
Though he has barely had a kick in the Youth Cup, he has shown what he can do for the Under-18s in their respective league, scoring 12 goals in 15 appearances.
The 18-year-old picked up a lot of attention scoring four goals against Liverpool at youth level last year, overshadowing the debut of Amad Diallo after his £36million arrival from Atalanta.
Ronaldo and Cavani have scored more than a staggering 1,200 career goals between them
United’s last Youth Cup success featured the likes of Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba
It led to him receiving heavy praise from then United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Solskjaer was asked who, if any, he would call up to the senior squad from that academy clash against the Reds.
He replied: ‘If we go from that game, I’d pick Joe Hugill. Four goals by Hugill, he’s a top striker as well, we’re looking forward to seeing his development.’
Manchester United’s last Youth Cup triumph came in 2011, when the squad included Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Everton defender Michael Keane, Derby midfielder Ravel Morrison and West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone.
