Henriquez: Real Zaragoza Loan Was Important

Angelo Henriquez has returned to Manchester United with renewed hope and determination, having gained invaluable experience during his fruitful loan spell at Real Zaragoza last season.

The 20-year-old joined the Reds from Universidad de Chile in 2012 and spent part of his first season with Wigan Athletic. He then joined up with Paco Herrera’s Zaragoza in the 13/14 campaign, when he scored six goals in 25 first-team appearances.

It proved to be a beneficial period, which he now hopes to harness at Old Trafford. “I did enjoy it,” Henriquez told ManUtd.com earlier this month. “In the first half of the season, I played a lot of games but the second half was hard because I got injured. I got sick, so I didn’t play as many games as I had wished.

“But it was good,” Angelo continued. “I played many games and scored some goals. It was good for me. The experience was important because I wasn’t playing here, so I went to Spain and played a lot of games and gathered some experience.”

Henriquez has now returned to the Aon Training Complex for pre-season training and wishes to catch the eye of new United manager Louis van Gaal, once the Dutchman returns from this summer's pre-season tour of America.

“Obviously, I always enjoy being here at United,” Angelo said. “I now hope to have a good pre-season and get a chance in the first team, but I have to work hard and do my best.

“I hope to be given a chance by the new manager because he is known for looking at young players, but I have to work hard first.”

Henriquez met new signing Ander Herrera before van Gaal's first-team squad flew to America for this summer's pre-season tour. Having kept a keen eye on the midfielder’s progress with former team Athletic Club, he is suitably impressed.

“Ander seems to be settling in well, I have seen him a few times and have obviously trained with him. He is a good player and we can all see that. I saw him before playing with Bilbao and I know he has the quality needed to play for Manchester United.”

Henriquez hopes to play for the Reserves on Tuesday when Warren Joyce's side face Southport at the Merseyrail Community Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 BST and you can read a full match report on ManUtd.com after the final whistle.