David Moyes has reserved praise for youngster Joel Asoro following his European Golden Boy nomination.
Asoro is vying for the prestigious accolade, which was once won by Paul Pogba and five-time Fifa Ballon D'or winner Lionel Messi, against thirteen other Premier League youngsters.
Conducted by Italian publication Tuttosport, the winner is voted for by journalists across Europe and is given to the individual who has made the biggest impact over the past year.
The 17-year-old made his senior bow in August at home to Middlesbrough before Moyes later utilised the striker in cup games against Shrewsbury Town, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley.
Asoro faces stern competition for the award with Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus and Everton's Tom Davies also in the running.
But Moyes has taken all the competition to one side for the time being and has lavished praise on the young striker's development.
“Joel has got potential and he is very young,” he said.
“He is 18 this week and he is someone who we introduced into the first-team set-up during pre-season because of numbers but he made a big impact.
“Like all young players their development can be up and down.
“There have been parts of this season when he has been good and bits of the season when he has dipped,” he continued.
“But with his age he is doing really well and his development is coming on nicely and we hope we can continue that.”
