Spanish Competition Heats Up for Manchester United Starlet

Manchester United striker Angelo Henriquez has two Spanish clubs vying for his signature as the teenager prepares for another loan spell ahead of the new season.

Reports over the weekend suggested Real Zaragoza were in pole position to secure a season long loan deal for the 19-year-old, who spent the second half of the 2012/13 campaign at Wigan Athletic after arriving from his native Chile in the summer.

Zaragoza manager Paco Herrera has spoken of his admiration for Henriquez, but Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo suggest the club will face stern competition from Espanyol, who are also very interested in securing a deal.

It is suggested Henriquez has become Espanyol's primary forward target this summer, as the club aim to improve on their 13<sup>th placed finish last season. Already a full international for Chile, Espanyol are confident the United youngster has the required ability to lead their front line next season, while a loan move would also favour the side who have their own financial restraints this summer.

Espanyol may hold the advantage in the race to snap up Henriquez, with his other suitors Zaragoza beginning the new season in the second tier of Spanish football after suffering relegation from La Liga last campaign.

But Zaragoza manager Herrera spoke confidently of the club's chances of signing the United prospect, believing him to be ready to help the club bounce back to Spain's top flight.

"We are very interested in Angelo Henriquez," Herrera was quoted as saying by El Murcurio. "We have been following him and we hope to get a response from their club soon.

"He is a striker full of technical qualities, could be a good signing."

Henriquez, who completed his move to Old Trafford from Universidad de Chile last summer, has yet to make his debut for United, joining Wigan on loan for the second half of the 2012/13 season. The forward was used sparingly by Roberto Martinez, however, making just eight appearances for the Latics, scoring once.

Upon his return to Old Trafford, Henriquez indicated he was keen to show David Moyes exactly why Sir Alex Ferguson and his scouting team saw fit to bring him to the club, but admitted he was open to another loan spell, perhaps even a return to Wigan.

"I have enjoyed my time here and I wouldn't rule out coming here again if that is a possibility. Who knows?" Henriquez said, speaking at the end of May.

"You always improve and pick up new things from new managers and new players. That was the point of the whole exercise, and I hope to show I've learned when I return to Old Trafford."