League One side Burton Albion are set to sign Manchester United youngster Joe Hugill on loan, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
Hugill is unlikely to get any sort of game time for the Red Devils in the coming months, and a loan is viewed as the best thing for his development at the moment. The academy prospect was named in Erik ten Hag’s squad in the FA Cup on Monday against Wigan Athletic but wasn’t given any minutes on the pitch.
Albion sit 17th in League One and are hoping the Premier League loanee can fire them away from the relegation zone. Hugill scored once for the United senior team against Leeds United in pre-season at the beginning of this campaign.
Burton are the second-lowest scorer in the third tier at this moment in time. A striker was always likely to be something they prioritised this month. Hugill represents good value on a short-term loan deal with no strings attached.
The United youngster had offers from teams above League One but was guaranteed the most game time upon signing for Burton. The Brewer’s leading scorer at present is star striker Beryly Lubala, with just five goals in 20 games this season.
Hugill has an impressive goalscoring record for United at youth level. The 20-year-old scored 18 goals in 24 games for the u18s and 31 goals in 57 games for the U23s, as per Transfermarkt. The former Sunderland academy striker also spent time on loan with Altrincham last season, where he scored one goal in seven appearances.
United tied the player down to a new contract last week, committing his future to the club until 2026. The Reds always intended to send him out on loan for the second part of the campaign. He has been on the bench in both the Premier League and the Champions League so far under Erik ten Hag this season.
Hugill holds a record at United. He is one of two players to have scored four goals in a game against Liverpool. The striker scored four against the Manchester club’s Merseyside rivals in January of 2021, in a 6-3 win for the u23s. It was a record held since 1977, by Steve Jones.
Burton are set to complete the deal in the coming days, with the United loanee expected to return to his parent club next June when the loan ends.
Writer’s View
Hugill is a talented young player and Burton’s decision to sign him on loan is a smart one. The 20-year-old is a natural goalscorer, and for a club struggling in front of goal, it’s the perfect signing. Having someone who knows where the net is can always be a valuable tool in a relegation battle.
United hold Hugill in high regard behind the scenes at the club, and they will be hoping this loan is the start of his development into a top player.
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