Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has assured Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson that he will send Chile international forward Angelo Henriquez back to Old Trafford ready to compete for a place in the Red Devils’ starting XI, the Daily Mail understands.
The Latics have already agreed in principle to take Henriquez, who joined United from Universidad de Chile in the summer, on loan amid the Chilean’s lack of first-team opportunities with both the Red Devils’ senior team and reserves.
At 18 years old, Henriquez is already a full international, having scored on his debut against Serbia last month.
He is quite the talent and possesses a tremendous eye for goal, and has subsequently earned himself the utmost praise from Roberto Martinez.
“Angelo is as good a goalscorer as you will find. He scored goals at Universidad de Chile and he is going to score goals here,” said Martinez.
“I am sure he will be an important player for United. We are glad we can work with him and he can use Wigan as Tom Cleverley did and adapt to what is needed in this league.”
Cleverley, 23, spent the entire 2010-11 English Premier League season on loan at the DW Stadium. The England international made 25 appearances (19 starts) while on loan at Wigan two seasons ago, tallying three goals and two assists.
Similarly, Manchester native Danny Welbeck was sent out on loan to Sunderland for the entire 2010-11 campaign. Welbeck predominantly featured on the right-wing for the Black Cats (Cleverley was utilized as a left-winger by Roberto Martinez at Wigan), making 28 appearances in all competitions and bagging six goals.
Henriquez has the ability to play on either flank or as a No. 9 striker. His versatility could prove to be vital in the Latics’ relegation battle, with Roberto Martinez’s currently in 18th-place following their 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal at the DW Stadium.
Corinthians will keep stars
Club World Cup winners Corinthians have no intention of selling their star players, including the likes of Paulinho and Jose Paolo Guerrero, when the transfer window reopens in January amid heavy interest from the Premier League, according to club president Mario Gobbi.
Paulinho is reportedly attracting interest from defending Premier League champions Manchester City and European champions Chelsea, while Chelsea are also rumoured to be keen on striker Jose Paolo Guerrero, who scored the Club World Cup winning goal against the Blues earlier this month.
Argentine forward Juan Manuel Martínez is also being linked with an exit in January, while goalkeeper Cassio Ramos — formerly of PSV Eindhoven — is on the radar of a number of clubs.
“The principle is to strengthen [the squad], not to let any player leave,” Gobbi told Terra.
“Our cycle is from July to July, so until the end of the Copa Libertadores,
our squad will remain the same. Nobody will leave.”
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