The Turkish under-21 international, who celebrates his 19th birthday today, has scored eight goals in nine starts since joining NAC on loan in February and now has Eindhoven locked in his crosshairs in Friday’s play-off semi-final first leg.
Undoubtedly one of the most promising strikers his country has produced in recent years, Ünal signed for City last summer and joined the first-team’s pre-season tour of Australia where he made his first appearance against Adelaide.
Now, after a season away from the club on loan, he wants to seal promotion for NAC and further his footballing education before returning to City Football Academy where he trained with his teammates last week.
Enes told mcfc.co.uk: “I can say everything is going well for me in the Netherlands up to now – Breda is a beautiful city with good, social people but most importantly of all, I am playing well and scoring goals. This is the most important thing for my happiness.
“In our home games we are playing in a really impressive atmosphere and I really like it. I have a great mutual relationship with the fans – they are passionate and I am towards them too.
“It was nice to come back and train in Manchester at City Football Academy but I was also a little bit sad to leave again as I want to be there as quickly as possible permanently. I watch City’s games on TV as much as I can.”
Away from the pitch, Ünal is a thoughtful, intelligent personality who has a passion for a pastime not commonly associated with players of the beautiful game.
A voracious reader of books, Enes takes a keen interest in the world around him, as he explains: “Obviously rest is an important part of life as a footballer so when I’m not training, I like to be at home recovering but there I like to read and research about the world and about life.
“I like to read to give me a sense of progress on how to be a good and quality person. Then, when time allows and I have free days I’ll take trips – I really want to see all of the world.
“I’ve also been learning English – I’ve been speaking it for almost a full year now so I’m getting better for sure!”
As for his ambitions for the future, Enes is single-minded.
The 19-year old wants to continue impressing on loan, to learn as much as he can before coming back to Manchester and competing for a place in the first-team squad.
His message to City fans?
“I am working hard for my goal: to be a City player and to score goals at the Etihad Stadium,” he added.
“I hope in the near future I can make this happen and that we can win trophies together.”
