'It's motivation' - Man Utd midfielder Oyedele wants to emulate academy graduates Mainoo, Garnacho 

Versatile tri-national midfielder Maxi Oyedele was one of the standout performers for Manchester United as the Premier League giants registered their first pre-season win on Saturday, beating Cyriel Dessers' Rangers 2-0 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.

The Poland U21 international, who is eligible for England and Nigeria, capped off a brilliant display by providing the assist for United's second goal netted by fellow academy player Joe Hugill.

Manchester United  made it 2-0 in the 70th minute as Hugill fired an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box, hitting the crossbar and beating Butland, after receiving a precise forward pass from Oyedele.

With several Manchester United players yet to report for pre-season training due to their participation in the 2024 European Championship and Copa America, manager Erik ten Hag has promoted some outstanding academy players to first team training, including Habeeb Ogunneye and Oyedele.

Oyedele was in action in United's first pre-season game against Rosenborg and got more minutes under his belt in Saturday's win against Rangers. 

He has admitted that one of his targets for the forthcoming season is to follow in the footsteps of two prodigies from United's Academy, England's  Kobbie Mainoo and Argentina's Alejandro Garnacho , by breaking into the first team. 

Speaking to MUTV shortly after the game versus Rangers, Oyedele said: "I feel good, big improvement since last game. 

"You look at Kobbie Mainoo and Garnacho, two lads breaking through from the academy, played with them at youth level, so it's great to see and it's motivation for us. 

"Opportunities like this are great and I hope for more."

Oyedele has yet to make his first team debut for Manchester United and was loaned out to Altrincham and Forest Green Rovers in back-to-back seasons to get a taste of senior football.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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