Man Utd coach Joyce heaps praise on improving Davide Petrucci

Manchester United reserves coach Warren Joyce is delighted with the form of Davide Petrucci this season.

It has been extremely encouraging to see the 20-year-old get his career firmly back on track after two lengthy spells on the sidelines with pelvic problems obviously affected his momentum.

"We've seen a lot of progression in the way Davide is playing," Joyce told ManUtd.com. "It's coincided with his fitness really.

"He had to work extremely hard over a period of time as he spent a lot of time out of the game - well over 12 months. Now he's worked hard to develop his running power.

"There's never been a question that he's got ability but he had to get other things up to speed and certainly, at the minute, he's amongst the goals."

The Italian midfielder has emerged as a key figure in the team and is likely to feature again when the Reserves face Wigan on Tuesday afternoon.

"I think he's a far better player now than he was before he got injured," stated Joyce. "Especially with his running power, as he didn't particularly have that.

"I think he's developed really well over the last 15 months or so."