Manchester United have recalled youngster D’Mani Mellor following his loan spell at League Two side Salford City.
The Reds activated the recall clause in the loan agreement, ending Mellor’s season-long move at the Peninsula Stadium early.
The 21-year-old who is a product of the club’s academy and has been at United since the age of eight, is likely to be reintegrated into Neil Wood’s under-23 side, unless another loan move can be found this month.
The forward made his United first-team debut in the Europa League clash with Astana in November, 2019.
But unlike several of his academy teammates who also made their senior United debuts in Kazakhstan, Mellor’s loan spell didn’t prove to be a fruitful one.
He came off the Salford bench in last night’s 1-0 win Port Vale to make just his third appearance for Gary Bowyer’s side.
Mellor came on in the 72rd minute, but had just three touches of the ball during his cameo.
His brief stint on the pitch in last night’s match was the longest game time he received during his time at Salford, who are led by the Class of 92.
Prior to last weekend’s three-minute cameo against Tranmere Rovers, Mellor hadn’t featured since his one-minute debut back in August.
After recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury, Mellor started the season playing in Wood’s under-23s side.
The forward got a goal and an assist in his first two Premier League 2 appearances of the season. He also captained the young Reds in our 3-2 EFL Trophy defeat against Lincoln City.
Mellor’s inactivity led to him coming back to United to get some much-needed minutes for the under-23s in a one off game in December.
It was hoped that Mellor returning to Salford meant the club had been given assurances that he would feature more frequently.
But following today’s announcement Mellor’s ill-fated first loan move away from the club has been brought to a premature end.
It remains to be seen whether United will find a more suitable destination for D’Mani Mellor over the coming days, or if he will finish the season where started, playing Premier League 2 football.
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