Man Utd striker now working with club legend Mark Hughes in bid to improve

As Manchester United aspire to reclaim their place at the top of the Premier League, Carlisle United are simply fighting to preserve their Football League status.

Exactly 20 years after last playing non-league football, the Cumbrians are in a desperate battle to avoid relegation.

Rooted to the bottom of League Two and six points from safety, they face an uphill struggle. Mark Hughes, inheriting a squad low on confidence with just five league wins all season, has a tough task ahead.

His first two matches in charge have ended in narrow defeats—1-2 to Grimsby Town and 0-1 to Newport County.

But Hughes knows how quickly fortunes can change in football. With extensive experience both as a player and a manager—six of his eight club managerial roles coming in the Premier League—he brings a wealth of knowledge to the job.

As a player, the 61-year-old Welshman enjoyed an illustrious career at some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea.

However, it was at Manchester United where he truly left his mark, scoring 163 goals in 467 appearances across two spells. A key figure in Sir Alex Ferguson’s early success, Hughes helped United to 11 major honors, including their first two Premier League titles in 1993 and 1994, scoring 27 goals across those championship-winning seasons.

Now, United will be hoping Hughes can pass on his striking expertise to Joe Hugill. The young forward is currently on loan at Carlisle after his season-long stint at Wigan Athletic was cut short due to budget constraints.

Hugill, 21, impressed at Wigan, scoring five goals in 18 appearances, but financial restrictions forced the club to part ways with him.

Since arriving at Carlisle, the Durham-born striker has made six appearances, scoring once in a 5-1 defeat to Swindon Town—Michael Williamson’s final game in charge.

Before his departure, Williamson praised Hugill’s potential, saying: "He's here just because he wants to play minutes and put the ball in the back of the net. That's why we brought him in, and I've got no doubt he'll do that."

Under Hughes, Hugill has started both of his new manager’s opening two fixtures. Though yet to score, his performances have been promising, offering hope that he can soon make a significant impact under the watchful eye of one of United’s most prolific former strikers.

Hugill himself has long-term ambitions of leading the line at Old Trafford. Earlier this season, he told the Manchester Evening News: "[Alejandro] Garnacho, Kobbie [Mainoo]—that's what everyone wants to be doing.

"To be United’s number nine is every young lad’s dream. I always back myself 100 percent."

However, with United expected to sign a proven striker this summer and rising talent Chido Obi-Martin already generating excitement among fans, Hugill faces an uphill battle to stake his claim.

But working daily under Hughes—who knows exactly what it takes to succeed at United—could be invaluable for his development.

Notably, Hughes isn’t the only former United striker Hugill has learned from this season. Before his loan spells, he trained with United’s first team, where he had the rare opportunity to work with Ruud van Nistelrooy, who returned to Old Trafford last summer as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching revamp.

Speaking about Van Nistelrooy’s sessions, Hugill recalled: "We did position-specific work—8s running on, creating opportunities for the 9s, different types of crosses coming into the box, and where he wants the 9s to be. He did his own drills to help the forwards out."

Few young strikers can say they have been mentored by two United legends before turning 22. While that alone guarantees nothing, Hugill’s ambition is clear.

First, though, his immediate challenge is to score the goals that could help keep Carlisle United in the Football League.