They say first impressions count and, on his maiden appearance for the Welsh national team, it’s fair to say former Manchester United youngster Charlie Savage made quite a good one.
Welsh boss Rob Page admitted to the Daily Mirror a few days ago that he had recommended the now-Reading midfielder leave Old Trafford if he wanted to force his way into the international set-up.
And, true to his word, Charlie Savage first outing with the dragon on his chest was a fitting reward for a 20-year-old now playing regular club football week-in, week-out, the Leicester-born Manchester United graduate bringing his eye-catching displays in England’s third tier onto the European stage.
Charlie Savage shining after Manchester United exit
And it is testament to how Savage performed during Wales’ 4-0 hammering of Gibraltar on Wednesday night that Page has now promised to keep him in the camp ahead of the Euro qualifier against Croatia.
Savage had been expected to drop down to the Under 23 side again. But, after passing his test with flying colours, the son of one-time United prospect and Wales enforcer Robbie Savage might have just cemented his spot in Page’s senior camp.
“We’ll keep Savage and Joe (Lowe of Wycombe Wanderers). Not just off the back of tonight,” Page tells the Independent. “They’ve done themselves the world of good.
“Sav has earned the right to be with us.”
‘He was magnificent’
Savage, who impressed during Erik ten Hag’s first pre-season in charge of Manchester United back in 2022, played the full 90 minutes as Wales cruised past the minnows of Gibraltar, only denied a debut goal by an excellent reflex save.
“For me to be here with his grandma and his family was amazing,” an emotional Robbie Savage told BBC Radio Wales at full-time.
“He deserves it. League One is different, but tonight was the perfect game for him, utilising his passing.
“He was magnificent.”
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