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Manchester United expects great things from Teden Mengi.
The academy perspective was quickly incorporated into the plans of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first team and set to play a major role in their future.
Mendi, 18, made his first-team Europa League debut against LASK last season and has been on the bench for United’s last two Champions League games.
Solskjaer has already called Mengi a “special talent” and compared him to Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who led Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals before his transfer to Juventus.
“We’ve always thought our academy will provide players and Teden has definitely impressed me. It’s different to trust defenders on the big stage, of course it is,” Solskjaer told BBC Radio 5 Live ahead of the new season. .
(Image: PA)
“You have to make sure he’s ready, see examples of Ajax, playing in a different league, but Matthijs de Ligt … they made him captain when he was 18. You can see something special about them.
“Teden has something special about him. It’s about choosing the right time to give it a chance. “
It is clear from Solskjaer’s comments and from Mengi’s promotion to the first team squad before the season that he sees a great future for him at the heart of his defense.
But Solskjaer and United received a reality check on Wednesday night that patience may be needed for the teen and their plan may take some time to come to fruition.
Mengi remained involved in youth football to continue gaining experience and captained United’s Under-21 squad against Morecambe on Wednesday night.
(Image: NurPhoto / PA Images)
In the center of the defense, Mengi lived a torrid night beating 4-0 and found himself exploited by the most experienced opponents.
United still have fragility in defense, and while Mengi may someday be the answer, the signals against Morecambe have served as a reminder that the transition to senior football can be difficult.
The teenager appears to have a wise head on his shoulder, however, and emphasized his desire to continue learning and bide his time when asked about his experiences earlier this year.
Mengi said: “It was really useful. Learning how they play with them and the speed difference in the game, I really enjoyed it. It is a welcoming environment.
“They’ll come and talk to you, hug you and tell you well done, that kind of thing. You learn so much from them just by training with them, it’s a big eye opener, it was great. “
“For me, I’m not looking too far ahead. Same old me, I’m just trying to work as hard as possible. You watch the next game and then the next one.
“I’m not looking too far into the future – if the opportunity comes, it comes. If it happens, it happens. It is up to me to keep working hard and if the opportunity presents itself, then I have to take it. “
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