Netherlands U17 international of Nigerian descent Dillon Hoogewerf made his season debut for Manchester United on Saturday, September 19 as their U18 team beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 in their first match in the U18 Premier League, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The diminutive striker was not in action last weekend because the match with Liverpool U18s was postponed and he was not selected against Leicester City U23s and the win over Salford City in the Carabao Cup.

Five days ago, Hoogewerf got valuable minutes in an arranged friendly against Burnley, ahead of the U18s season opener.

Against Blacburn Rovers yesterday, Hoogewerf came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute to replace Hansen-Aarøen and made an impact off the bench, providing an important assist for Joe Hugill to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute.

The visitors later pulled  a goal back through Lonsdale with two minutes left on the clock.

Hoogewerf impressed in his maiden season with Manchester United, scoring in the U18 Premier League, FA Youth Cup and Premier League 2, but missed out on the Jimmy Murphy Youth Team Player of the Year award to Anthony Elanga.

Igho Kingsley