Manchester United still checking out Olowu; Hoogewerf and Sodje open season's account in PL2

Published: August 29, 2021

Highly-rated teenage strikers of Nigerian descent Tai Sodje and Dillon Hoogewerf both opened their goalscoring accounts for the 2021-2022 season as champions Manchester City defeated Manchester United 4-2 in a Premier League 2 derby staged at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, August 28.

Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported more than two months ago that the Citizens fended off interest for Sodje by promoting him to the U23 squad though he is age-eligible for the U18s.

And by all indications City have kept their word as the Anglo-Nigerian goal machine, the U18s top scorer last season, has not figured for the U18s term, making two substitute appearances and one start in the Premier League 2.

On matchday three, Sodje entered the game as a substitute in the 62nd minute and was joined on the pitch by Hoogewerf ten minutes later.

The Dutch-Nigerian slotted home to make it 3-2 on 81 minutes but Sodje essentially ended all hopes of a United comeback when he restored City's two-goal advantage with a fine finish three minutes from time.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils are still running the rule over Nigerian-born Arsenal academy product Joseph Olowu, who is on the lookout for a new employer after his release by the Gunners in June.

A center back by trade, Olowu went the distance against Manchester City along with England youth international Shola Shoretire.

The former Arsenal youth team skipper came close to scoring with a header in the first half and hit the crossbar in the second half.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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