Wigan Athletic may have particular hope when it comes to Man United, Joe Hugill agreement: View | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic will hope Joe Hugill can follow Will Keane's blueprint following an underwhelming spell with Burton Albion

Promotion hopefuls Wigan Athletic have been busy during the summer transfer window with the 2024/25 League One season just around the corner.

Following the conclusion of last campaign, forwards Charlie Wyke, Josh Magennis and Stephen Humphrys all left the Latics as their respective contracts expired.

This left Shaun Maloney's side short of attacking options, and prior to the recent loan signing of Manchester United's Joe Hugill, Latics youth academy product Josh Stones was the club's only senior striker in the first team squad.

Wigan supporters will now hope that Hugill can be the man who can score the goals which could secure a play-off spot, or even automatic promotion for the Tics.

Attacking midfielder Thelo Aasgaard has been prolific in pre-season with five goals to his name in four friendly outings so far, but as the League One season fast approaches, he will need the help of a centre-forward to keep his fine form intact.

Latics will hope that Hugill can emulate Will Keane success

Former Latics talisman Will Keane arrived for a second spell at the Brick Community Stadium in October 2020 on a free transfer when the Greater Manchester outfit were suffering from administration.

Previously, the striker had played for Wigan on loan from then parent club Man United in 2013, but he failed to make a single goal contribution in four Championship outings.

With 10 goals and five assists in 32 league appearances during the 2020/21 season, the current Preston North End man helped keep the Tics in the third tier in unlikely circumstances.

Keane then went on to win the 2021/22 League One golden boot, as he spearheaded the Latics towards the title and the ultimate prize of promotion to the Championship.

Although the Ireland international was not able to keep his side in the second tier despite scoring 12 goals the following season, the Latics will still hope that Hugill can follow the blueprint put in place by his fellow Man United academy product.

Keane joined Wigan with an underwhelming goalscoring record in the Football League, having never scored more than three goals in a single league season during spells in both League One and the Championship with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City and Ipswich Town.

Similarly, Hugill has penned a deal with the Latics following an unsuccessful stint on loan at fellow third tier outfit Burton Albion last season in which the 20-year-old scored just one goal in 18 league appearances.

Keane provides proof that Hugill can be a Latics success

The Football League is an intriguing environment in which various players can perform very well for one club, despite enduring a lack of success elsewhere, as demonstrated by Keane's exploits in a Latics shirt.

For this reason, the Brick Community Stadium faithful should not be alarmed by the fact that Hugill was unable to hit form with the Brewers last campaign.

Furthermore, Latics boss Maloney has a very strong track record when it comes to improving young players, and has developed the likes of England Under-21 goalkeeper Sam Tickle.

And according to FotMob, the starlet scored seven goals in just nine Premier League 2 outings for Man United last season, which clearly demonstrates his eye for goal.

Under the guidance of the Scot, there is every chance that Hugill can become a regular on the scoresheet in League One, a potential eventuality his parent club will also be hoping to see.