Manchester United lost Under-21 coach David Hughes to Newport County over the summer, and he has now landed an Old Trafford talent on loan.
This has been a summer of change for Manchester United’s youth and development ranks.
Key figures have been leaving United’s ranks this summer, bringing major upheaval in the process.
Paul McShane joined Lee Grant at Huddersfield Town, Nick Cox left United for Everton and Under-18 coach Adam Lawrence quit United in search of new opportunities.
Another departure saw David Hughes leave United for Newport County, as he traded in his Under-21 assistant job to take charge of Newport County.
Manchester United defender Habeeb Ogunneye arrives ahead of facing Crystal Palace.
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Manchester United talent Habeeb Ogunneye joins Newport County
Hughes has previously managed Barry Town, but he was just 26 at the time.
The Welshman has been on quite the coaching journey since then, working at Port Talbot Town, Shrewsbury Town, Watford, Aston Villa, Southampton and Cardiff City.
United landed Hughes in 2022, and he has now decided to go back into management at the age of 47.
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Hughes will be looking to make a strong start at Newport and has now agreed to take a United talent on loan.
Defender Habeeb Ogunneye has finalised a loan move to Newport and will spend the season with the League Two club.
19-year-old Ogunneye has been a regular for United in the development ranks and was named on the bench for the Europa League clash at Fenerbahce in October 2024.
The London-born teenager will now gain valuable experience at Newport and reunite with Hughes after their time together at United.
✍️ We’re delighted to announce the arrival of promising young defender Habeeb Ogunneye from Manchester United on a season-long loan, subject to EFL and international clearance.
Welcome to the County, Habeeb#OneClubOneCounty
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) July 15, 2025
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David Hughes on Habeeb Ogunneye deal
Hughes will have certainly been the driving force behind this move, with United trusting him to aid Ogunneye’s development.
Hughes has now commented on the move while speaking to Newport’s official website.
The Newport boss admitted his delight after signing Ogunneye, thanking United for sanctioning the deal.
Hughes added that he already knows Ogunneye is a ‘good character’ and will be an ‘excellent addition’ to the Newport side.
“I’m really pleased to get Habeeb on board,” said Hughes. “We’re also delighted that Manchester United have trusted us to help develop him and add to his progress on the next stage of his journey.
“I obviously worked with him for a couple of years at Manchester United. I know he’s a good character; a good young professional in the way he conducts himself and goes about his work on a daily basis. He’s going to be an excellent addition to the squad and will certainly increase the competition.
“He’s got loads of attributes and fits into the profile of what we’ve got in the squad – young, hungry, dynamic and really keen to improve. He’s got a good training mentality, which is important, and a willingness to push himself and challenge himself every day.
“First team football will be another challenge for him, but I think he’ll be another player our supporters will all really like,” he added.
United will keep close tabs on Ogunneye during the League Two season, with his first game coming against Notts County – the new club of United talent Sonny Aljofree.