Mateo Mejia has a fresh start at Manchester United as he enters his third season at the club.
Mejia joined United in 2019 from Real Zaragoza as a young striker with a big reputation. It has not worked out too well for him since.
The teenager got injured on his under-18s debut in 2019 and by time he returned the season was cancelled.
Last season he scored one goal in two games for the under-18s before getting injured minutes into his third appearance of the season against City.
After undergoing an operation earlier this year, Mejia is now back in action.
Now with the under-23s, Mejia was pictured on a training camp in Scotland last week. He sent a message expressing his delight at getting back to action.
Fresh start and chance to shine
If you could write off 2019/20 as an unlucky bedding in year in Manchester for Mejia, then 2020/21 was simply hugely frustrating.
He missed out on a chance to be part of a side which nearly won the under-18s title, and saw a number of young forwards flourish in his absence.
Joe Hugill was quickly promoted from the under-18s to 23s, and then Charlie McNeill arrived and scored 25 goals in all competitions.
Dillon Hoogewerf scored 12 goals and reached double figures for assists too, while Alejandro Garnacho also chipped in with seven goals of his own.
Mejia now has to step up to the top flight of under-23 football too, as at 18 he is no longer eligible for the under-18s.
This coming season is going to be a challenge for him, but it is also an incredible opportunity for him to shine for the under-23s and demonstrate that he has not been adversely affected by the last couple of years.
If he can show United that he is still on track, then he could yet have a future at the club. Mejia is under contract for another year and has a chance to earn an extension.
Spanish newspaper El Periodico de Aragon reported that Mejia scored 51 goals in a single season for Real Zaragoza’s under-16 team before he joined United. His goal for the under-18s last season showed what he is capable of.
Mejia just needs to stay fit now and get a run of matches together, and then United can take a view to what may happen next.
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