Ten Hag may finally have his ideal Ronaldo heir in Man Utd’s “notable” teen sensation
Despite Marcus Rashford’s impressive tally of 27 goals across all competitions for Manchester United this season, the club is still searching for a player to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo as their true number nine.
The controversial departure of the Portuguese forward from the club last year undoubtedly had an impact on their performance, as Erik ten Hag has yet to find a suitable replacement who can lead the line as effectively as Ronaldo did.
During his second stint at Manchester United, the 38-year-old scored 27 goals in all competitions. However, apart from Rashford, no other player from the club has managed to score more than ten goals this season. This highlights the urgent need for a center-forward who can score more than 20 goals per season, and take the team to the next level.
To avoid spending a fortune in the transfer market, Ten Hag could consider promoting Manni Norkett, a young player who has been on a goal-scoring spree lately.
But who exactly is Manni Norkett?
This 18-year-old prospect could potentially become the next big thing at Old Trafford, particularly given his impressive goal-scoring form. Garry Attwood, his former youth coach, even described him as the “real deal” as he aims to establish himself in the first-team setup.
Last season, Norkett rose to prominence by scoring nine goals in 22 U18 Premier League games. This season, he has already netted eight times in just 12 games, indicating that his confidence is growing.
Despite having only played a handful of games for the U21 side, Norkett’s track record in the academy suggests that he’s one to watch in the future.
Earlier this year, journalist Shaun Connolly praised the striker, calling him one of the “notable names on the cusp of [the] first team,” alongside the likes of Isak Hansen-Aaren, Marc Jurado, and Joe Hugill. Manchester United could be on the brink of another golden era filled with young talents.
Although the teenage sensation still has a lot to learn, and while his goal-scoring exploits for the U18s have earned him plenty of praise, the real test will begin now as he attempts to secure regular appearances for the U21s.
If Norkett can make a smooth transition to the older group and maintain his rich vein of scoring, Ten Hag will undoubtedly give him a chance or two to display his talents in front of the Old Trafford faithful.