Habeeb Ogunneye: England-born Nigeria-eligible Teenager Named in Manchester United Squad for Nottingham Forest Clash
In a notable move, Habeeb Ogunneye, a rising talent from the Manchester United Academy, finds himself included in the senior team’s squad set to face Nottingham Forest in the upcoming FA Cup clash, as reported by Soccernet.ng.
The inclusion of Ogunneye comes amidst the absence of key players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martínez, and Luke Shaw due to injuries. This presents an opportunity for the England-born right-back to showcase his skills and provide additional options for manager Erik Ten Haag, particularly in the full-back position.
Habeeb Ogunneye, born on November 12, 2005, in London, signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in 2022. Having progressed through the ranks of the club’s academy, Ogunneye has been a regular player for the U-21 side under the guidance of Travis Binnion.
Primarily a right-back, Ogunneye made his U-18 debut in 2021 at the age of fifteen. His versatility extends to playing as a wing-back, displaying a penchant for joining the attack and contributing offensively.
Notably, the 18-year-old talent made his debut for the England U-17 team in 2021, accumulating three appearances for the Three Lions. However, Habeeb Ogunneye also boasts Nigerian roots, leaving the possibility open for him to represent the Super Eagles in the future.
With a UEFA Youth League appearance for Manchester United last season, where he contributed to a 2-1 victory over Young Boys, Ogunneye has garnered attention with three assists in thirty-six appearances for the club’s U-21 team.
While it remains uncertain whether Habeeb Ogunneye will make his senior debut in the upcoming match, the defensive situation at Manchester United, compounded by injuries and loan spells, highlights the importance of maintaining squad depth. The club will be cautious not to exacerbate their thin squad further, especially with key players facing setbacks.
