Featured Image Credit: EFL Cup/Manchester United
Topics: Manchester United, Alejandro Garnacho, League Two, EFL Cup
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Manchester United, Alejandro Garnacho, League Two, EFL Cup
Manchester United U21 midfielder Tom Huddlestone has been tipped for first-team minutes after he delivered a 'defence-splitting' assist for Alejandro Garnacho's late winner in the EFL Cup.
The 35-year-old former England international, who has made 242 appearances in the Premier League for Spurs and Hull, was drafted in by United this summer as a so-called "hybrid player" for their youth team.
Having played at the highest level during his career – as well as displaying impressive capabilities as a coach – Huddlestone's presence will no doubt benefit United's youth team players in the coming months.
Huddlestone not only coaches from within training sessions but he drives standards during U21 games, too.
On Tuesday night, for example, the experienced midfielder made a huge difference when he was brought on in the second-half of their EFL Cup clash against League Two side Barrow.
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With the game tied at 1-1, a composed Huddlestone picked out highly-rated Argentina U20 international Alejandro Garnacho with a sublime ping to the ring wing.
Garnacho proceeded to beat Barrow goalkeeper Scott Moloney with a cool finish to win the game.
Huddlestone's efforts for the U21 team have certainly got people talking on social media. One fan commented: "What a ball to Garnacho, this Huddlestone kid looks the business, hopefully sees some first team minutes soon!"
Another wrote: "Can Huddlestone play for the first team?" while a third said: "Tom Huddlestone assist? Might’ve found our midfielder."
A fourth commented: "If you don’t understand the purpose of Tom Huddlestone than you don’t understand youth development imo! Goldust for those youngsters! Btw what a technician."
Last month, Huddlestone opened up about his surprise move to Old Trafford.
"It was quite random to be fair," he told Soccer AM. "Paul McShane, who I played with at Hull, did the role last year before retiring.
"He then put my name forward and it was midway through pre-season when I got the phone call (offering me the job)."
Huddlestone added: "The first week (in the job) the first team was away so there was no eyes on me or any pressure like that. It's a big old building so I was saying to Macca (McShane) 'I'm just going to shadow you for the first week'.
"But the five or six coaches I'm working with daily are top notch and really helpful for me, coming from that playing side into a sort of hybrid role.
"When you're on the pitch you're expected to give a bit of info so its similar to that really. The hardest part is mindset-wise, remembering that you're not fighting to stay in the team.
"You want to do as well as you can but you know your main job is to try and develop the players around you rather than try and stay in the team for the next game."