Manchester United academy graduate Teden Mengi was promoted to the first team roster, as seen (screenshot below) on the club’s official website.
The ex-youth team English defender will provide a much needed, fresh backup option to the Red Devils’ rear guard which is, as per their last result, shockingly weak for a side who aspire to compete for, and win the big trophies regularly.
The 18-year-old centre-back has represented Manchester United in three age divisions namely the U16, U18 and U23, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be happily accepting fresh blood injected into a defence marred by age and inconsistency.
Harry Maguire, the most expensive defender in the world hasn’t quite done justice to his £80m price tag since his arrival, while the likes of the error prone Victor Lindelof and the injury prone Eric Bailly have not been able to compliment him in the heart of defence.
United’s other options at centre back include forgotten men Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones: hence Mengi’s promotion to the first team set up makes even more sense considering the Manchester outfit are no longer in the race for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano.
Mengi made his senior debut appearance for the club as a substitute against LASK in the Europa League last season, while his inclusion into the senior roster ahead of this season guarantees him more game time than ever before.
United will be looking to better their third place finish in the league last season, and unknown fresh blood from the academy at Carrington might reap rewards more than the star acquisitions, as was in the case of numerous other English Manchester United starters right now, such as Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.