Hot prospect Puigmal can be a set-piece expert
Manchester United's Under-18s new boy Arnau Puigmal is working hard at becoming a set-piece expert, according to boss Kieran McKenna.
The 16-year-old finalised a move from Espanyol when the paperwork was processed last month and scored a beautiful free-kick on his debut against Newcastle United.
It is a string to the midfielder's bow, as he has shown with Spain's youth sides, and will benefit McKenna's exciting side as the campaign unfolds.
"Free-kicks are something he likes practising," McKenna told us. "He takes them for his national team quite a bit and likes to practice shooting after, before and during training!
"He likes to hit the back of the net, especially from that sort of range. It's something he'll keep working on to try to become a real specialist on set-pieces from all areas."
Certainly, the debut against Newcastle was a superb start for Puigmal, who followed it up by helping the Reds earn a 1-1 draw at Everton's Finch Farm last weekend.
"We are really pleased with him," added McKenna. "I think it was a big challenge to come in to a game like that as Newcastle are a physical, strong team who were experienced with a lot of second years.
"He is still a young guy, he's just turned 16 this year, and adapted really well to the physical side of the game. He showed a lot of good things technically and obviously popped up with a great goal as well. He could not have got off to a much better start.
"I'm sure he would have liked us to have seen out the game and made that goal the winner but it wasn't to be. However, he's off and running now and I'm sure he's looking forward to getting stuck into more games."
"He can handle the ball really well and is a lovely young man. His English is coming along, too, so he's settling well."
WHO IS ARNAU PUIGMAL?
The Spanish talent joined recently after impressing United scouts and staff with his display against the Reds in last term's Med Cup tournament.
Still only 16, he is settling into Manchester life and the pre-season training camp in Austria helped him bond with his new colleagues. His style has drawn comparisons with Andreas Pereira, currently on loan at Valencia, and he is one to watch in 2017/18.
You can watch United's Academy sides in action on MUTV.