Often in the shadow of other forwards his age, D’Mani Mellor has quietly impressed in Manchester United’s youth teams. The 19-year-old took part in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first team training on Thursday.
Mellor is a local Mancunian talent who had an electric start to the season in the under-23s. He spent much of his under-18s career playing on the wing or in attacking midfield, in part due to Mason Greenwood’s ability as a central striker.
D’Mani Mellor steps out of Greenwood’s shadow
Now, though, Mellor is getting a chance through the middle. He’s contributed three goals and four assists in seven league games in the 2019/20 campaign. A first team chance still seems some way away but it’s Mellor’s work ethic and attitude that has consistently impressed.
Greenwood’s first team involvement presents a fantastic chance for Mellor. It’s one that he’s taking so far.
He never has been the type of talent to amaze fans with stunning goalscoring records. But he’s the kind of player that United’s academy often produces: local, reliable, hard-working but with some serious talent too.
19-year-old Mancunian had electric start to season
Mellor opened the season contributing five goals in three games. Things have quietened down a bit recently. He’s older than Greenwood at 19 and signed his professional contract in June 2018. That was after being a part of Kieran McKenna’s Premier League North-winning under-18s side.
His future is a tricky one to figure out. He’s a confident and happy character who’s well-liked at United. First team chances for United will be hard to come by but one particular opportunity may present itself soon.
United travel to Kazakhstan to play Astana in the UEFA Europa League on November 28th, and the Reds have already qualified from the group stages.
The under-23s don’t play for six days before that game meaning Mellor will be rested enough to travel with the first team and potentially get some minutes.
If he takes his chance, then more may follow. He will want to grab the opportunity if it is handed to him.
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