English-born youngsters of Nigerian descent Maximillian Oyedele and Habeeb Ogunneye joined Manchester United’s first team to train ahead of the club’s Premier League clash against Everton.
The Red Devils will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
With the club beset by injuries to several first-team players, manager Erik ten Hag used the opportunity to invite some of the promising academy players to train with the senior team.
Manchester United are currently missing the services of eight first-teamers, including Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia, while Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans are also doubts for the upcoming game against the Toffees.
Oyedele and Ogunneye train with Man United first team
Oyedele and Ogunneye were part of the lucky academy players who were invited to train with the Red Devils' first team ahead of the Everton game.
Both players could potentially play for Nigeria in the future, although Oyedele currently features for Poland’s U21s while Ogunneye is also with England’s U21s.
Oyedele is one of Manchester United’s highly rated youngsters. In January, he was sent on loan to Forest Green Rovers to gain some game time and experience.
However, the 19-year-old was recalled from his loan spell a few weeks ago after he made just four substitute appearances for the EFL League Two side.
Ogunneye, on the other hand, has been spending time with Manchester United’s first team in recent weeks.
Ten Hag seems to be a huge admirer of the 18-year-old right-back and named him in the squads for the club’s last two matches against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.
While both players of Nigerian descent are currently training with the Red Devils’ first team, only Ogunneye is eligible to play in this weekend’s clash against Everton, as Oyedele’s loan contract at Forest Green is yet to be officially terminated despite being recalled by his parent club.
Ten Hag ready to give Oyedele, Ogunneye a chance
Meanwhile, Ten Hag has indicated his readiness to give more Manchester United youngsters the chance to feature in the first team if they prove themselves worthy.
The former Ajax manager has a track record of promoting youth and has already given Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo their big breaks at Manchester United.
Teenage defender Willy Kambwala also made his senior debut this season and has gone on to make three appearances in the Premier League and two in the FA Cup.
With Oyedele and Ogunneye also now training with the first team, it could be only a matter of time before they also break into Ten Hag’s matchday squad. The Red Devils manager, however, insists young players must first earn their places in the team.
“You have to prove it and you have to prove it when the occasion is there. And, of course, you never know. But that is about the knowledge from the staff and if they think they can do it,” Ten Hag told Manutd.com in February.
“You assess the potential of the player. We were convinced of those players and I think we still have, in the back of our squad, such young players who can also make those steps, like Kobbie and Garnacho, who have also made [those] in the last couple of months.”
Oyedele joined Manchester United as an eight-year-old and was part of the side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022. Ogunneye also broke into the club’s U21s last year and has been a regular fixture in the youth team.
Meanwhile, Oyedele is eligible to play for England, Poland and Nigeria at the international level, while Ogunneye must also decide between the Three Lions and the Super Eagles.
