Sir Alex Ferguson Praises Young Manchester United Striker Joshua King’s Development

Friday, 19th October, 2012

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the club’s young striker Joshua King to "have a good career" after watching him score for Norway’s Under-21s against Cyprus in midweek.

The 20-year-old joined Manchester United in 2008 from Norwegian club Valerenga and has had several loan spells away from Old Trafford to speed up his development.

relatedNewsStoryKing spent time at Preston North End in 2010, German side Borussia Monchengladbach one year later, before enjoying the second half of last season with Hull City.

Ferguson has kept a close eye on the attacking starlet and is now in no doubt that he should make the grade in the professional game and have, in his words "a good career".

"Joshua King has done very well", Ferguson told Manchester United’s official site.

"We get mixed fortunes when players go on loan – Federico Macheda had a nightmare twice when he went to Sampdoria and then QPR with a change of manager just as he arrived. And then, with Josh, he didn’t play much at Monchengladbach last year and came back to us", commented the Scot, before praising King’s application and determination in pre-season training this summer.

"He did really well in pre-season and has been working really hard. He’s shown he has good ability."

Ferguson was watching too as the 20-year-old turned out for his country’s Under-21s this week, scoring his first goal at international level.

"He won the penalty for Norway and scored the third goal and that’s bound to have given him a boost. He’s very quick with a great physique and he should have a good career."

It remains to be seen whether Ferguson will hand King a first team chance in the near future but, for now, the Red Devils’ boss is delighted with the progress the speedy striker is making.