Manchester United coach promotes 18yo Nigerian defender to first team training pre-Arsenal 

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is running the rule over London-born Nigerian right-back Habeeb Ogunneye, with a view to his possible inclusion in the gameday squad for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Arsenal at Old Trafford, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

In the latest set of training images uploaded by Manchester United, the England youth international was spotted training with the first teamers at Carrington.

Apart from Ogunneye, Ten Hag also invited academy stars Harry Amass, Louis Jackson, Toby Collyer and Ethan Wheatley to train with the first team on Thursday. 

Manchester United have defensive issues before the visit of Arsenal, as Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Willy Kambwala are all rated as doubtful for the club's penultimate home game of the season. 

Argentina center back Lisandro Martinez is currently being assessed after returning to team training this week. 

Ogunneye has trained several times with United's first team since the start of 2024 due to the extensive injury list. 

The 18-year-old was named in matchday squads for Premier League games against Manchester City, Everton, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, and was also on the bench as an unused substitute in FA Cup matches against Nottingham Forest and Coventry City. 

Ogunneye has represented Manchester United in the U18 Premier League, U18 Premier League Cup, Premier League 2, FA Youth Cup, UEFA Youth League and EFL Trophy this season. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: manutd.com

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com