When Ken Aboh jinked inside and found the bottom corner at Old Trafford, it showed why calls for his promotion to the Norwich City first-team have been gathering pace.
For the second season running, Aboh has reached double figures of goals scored. The teenager has bagged eight in his last six matches for City's under-21s in the Premier League Two.
Last season, Aboh netted 11 goals in 26 games for City's youth sides and has been playing at least under-18 level since a month before his 17th birthday.
His name has long been whispered with excitement inside Colney due to the talent he possesses. Aboh was often grouped with close friend Alex Matos as being one of the hottest young talents in the academy - they signed for City at the same time.
Initially a winger, Aboh was converted to a striker and hasn't looked back since. He was undoubtedly the highlight in City's 4-2 defeat to Manchester United's youngsters last month.
In their most recent outing at Old Trafford, Aboh started as a lone striker and was tasked with stretching the play.
His imperious strength, despite not being the tallest, made him a match for Manchester United's defenders. That ability to shrug off defenders and protect the ball in possession was an asset for City in periods of trying to get up the pitch.
Combine that with a low centre of gravity and a real power and it makes Aboh a different opponent to get the ball off.
Aboh also has a spring that allows him to compete aerially, and he is a pretty complete package. A previous concern over composure in front of goal also seems to have been smoothed over in the last 12 months.
His opening goal came from a counter-attacking situation and was largely self-made. After collecting a through ball from Pedro Lima, Aboh jinked inside on the left before unleashing a devastating finish into the near corner of the net.
That ability to create a yard of space to unleash a shot is difficult to coach players, but Aboh combines an exciting physical profile with an ability to score goals.
Norwich's coaching team have been working with Aboh to utilise his physical attributes to more positive effect. That seems to have borne fruit throughout this season. There was a clear desire to run on the outside of central defenders to create opportunities. That movement is what created his opening goal.
His link play offered encouragement as well. Aboh linked effectively with his back to goal and was also effective when moving into channels or attempting to dart in behind, even becoming frustrated with the lack of service at one stage.
Aboh was, without doubt, Norwich's most dangerous player from an attacking perspective and could have grabbed another brace late on when firing over after a ball over the top.
From this evidence, Aboh seems to have exceeded the levels required to play at under-21s level. His return is not too dissimilar to what Abu Kamara produced last season before his loan move to Portsmouth. The 19-year-old is ready for what comes next.
Complicating Aboh's journey is the contract stalemate that Norwich are locked in with him and his representatives. At this stage, there is little confidence on both sides that an agreement can be struck.
Like Matos, Aboh has become frustrated with his pathway management. He will have plenty of interest should he walk away from Carrow Road this summer.
Recruited by Gregg Broughton during his time as academy supremo, Aboh joined Norwich from Luton and has been long-desired by Premier League outfits throughout his spell in the Canaries youth ranks.
At differing points, Norwich have fought off that interest and managed to get Aboh to sign a professional deal back in 2020-21.
The concern remains that what proved enough in 2021, is not working currently. Frustrations over his development are at the core of Aboh's reasons for not signing a new deal.
The question is whether a long-term strategy and clear route to first-team football will be enough to convince Aboh to pen his future to the club. Ben Knapper will be working hard to try and get it done - Norwich have made his camp an offer that has been on the table for a while.
Aboh finds three striking options ahead of him that will prove difficult to displace in the remaining months of the campaign.
Wagner likes to operate with three strikers in his first-team squad, and Sydney van Hooijdonk replacing Adam Idah to join Josh Sargent and Ashley Barnes means that quota is full. Whether injuries or suspensions will offer him a route into the side remains to be seen.
There was League One loan interest in Aboh in January, but given his contractual status at Norwich, that was never going to be something the club could agree to.
Even though Norwich would be entitled to a small development fee, losing Matos and Aboh at the end of their respective deals would be a significant blow. Even if they fail to ignite their careers elsewhere, the signal it sends to others within their ranks or prospective players weighing up a move to the club isn't encouraging.
Whilst the door isn't completely closed on an agreement being struck, it would require some compromise and shifting in the next few months.
But Tom Dickson-Peters and Tyreece Omotoye both signed long-term deals at Norwich after impressing at youth level yet, despite loans away, failed to convert that potential into ability at senior level.
Aboh needs to ensure he doesn't fall into the wrong hands and stunt his progress even further. The fact that a gamble is willing to be made is a shame.
Whilst his future is unresolved, what is known is that Aboh is ready to take the next step in his career - whether that is with Norwich City or elsewhere.
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