Mateo Mejia has finally managed for Sevilla what he could not quite do at Manchester United

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Alejandro Garnacho’s rise to prominence at Manchester United is the dream for any young player arriving at the club.

Garnacho signed for United at just 16 and within three years he was scoring a goal to help win the Red Devils the FA Cup Final. Sadly not all young players have such an incredible trajectory.

Mateo Mejia made the leap when he signed for United in 2019, a year earlier to Garnacho, leaving Real Zaragoza.

Mejia got off to a nightmare start, suffering a serious injury on his under-18s debut which led to him being stretchered off.

Mateo Mejia thriving in Spain

Mateo Mejia’s bad luck with injuries continued, undergoing an operation in 2021, and he reached under-21 level while barely completing a game for the under-18s.

The forward actually started well last season at United for the under-21s, and while he did get to train with the senior squad, Erik ten Hag never seriously considered him for a first team call-up

Mejia left United to join Sevilla in January, where he went straight into their B squad.

Now, nine months since securing his move, Mejia has managed to do what he never quite did at Manchester United, making his senior debut.

Mejia has begun this season well for Sevilla’s B side, scoring three goals in five matches. It was enough to earn him a call-up, with the first team struggling in 13th place in La Liga.

At the weekend Mejia came off the substitute’s bench to make his debut as Sevilla drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao.

His brief cameo was lauded as game-changing, with ABC Sevilla writing: “In ten minutes he exerted the necessary pressure to make Athletic nervous and force Julen Agirrezabala to receive a red card. With the goalkeeper sent off and the Basque team a little shaken, Sevilla FC managed to equalise in the minutes of added time.”

Mejia is expected to retain his place in the Sevilla squad after his lively performance, with a potentially huge opporutnity awaiting.

Sevilla play their derby at home to rivals Real Betis this weekend, and the first match after the international break is away to Barcelona. Mejia has a great opportunity to make a bigger name for himself.

Mateo Mejia sell-on clause

Manchester United have a sell-on clause for Mateo Mejia, potentially generating future income for the club.

Mejia was born in Zaragoza, Spain, but like Garnacho, has committed his international future to South America, representing Colombia at under-20s level.

Now 21, the young forward is beginning to make up for lost time after injury ruined his attempt to crack the Manchester United senior squad.

In his final half season at United, Mejia showed promise, scoring three goals and providing six assists for the under-21s.

How Mejia’s former Man Utd teammates reacted

Mateo Mejia put out an emotional message on Instagram following his Sevilla debut.

He wrote: “My dream debut in the First Division, and what a beautiful feeling to do it with the colors of Sevilla FC.”

Mateo Mejia was a popular figure among his Manchester United academy colleagues, and this was made very clear by the way they responded to his message.

Willy Kambwala, Alvaro Fernandez, Ethan Wheatley and Shola Shoretire were among those to reach out to congratulate Mejia on making his big breakthrough.