{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Manchester United youngster Teden Mengi open to January loan move after injury comeback
Teden Mengi saw his Birmingham City loan cut short by injury, but the Manchester United youngster is already looking for new opportunities.
Mengi has enjoyed spells at Derby County and Birmingham in the last two seasons, but injury slowed down his progress during both, and he now finds himself back at Old Trafford as he returns to full fitness.
The 20-year-old came through the academy ranks in Manchester and made his first senior Red Devils appearance back in 2018 before adding another to his tally with a substitute cameo in last season’s Champions League group stage.
But the athletic defender has since been trying to muster up some experience through the Under-21s and with loan spells – something he’d again be open to in January.
“Every game, I’m feeling fitter, stronger, sharper,” said Mengi to club sources, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
“So yeah, I think I’m standing myself in good stead for January, if the option comes up for me to get an opportunity to go out on loan and impress and get some more experience, then I’ll take it.”
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
Third time lucky
After part-time spells with Derby and Birmingham, Mengi desperately needs to find a club in January willing to give him consistent first-team minutes.
A lot of it has come down to bad luck too, with injuries hindering his time on the pitch. But United do view him highly and will want to really test Mengi’s ability and mentality out on loan.
Erik ten Hag has a great record of progressing young players and Mengi will be desperate to catch his eye and break through to the first team.
Alejandro Garnacho has already proved it to be possible this season after shining for the Red Devils in recent weeks, and he’s paved the way for more academy stars to progress.
But with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire all above him in the squad, Mengi’s best option is to go back out on loan. The nit’s down to him to catch Ten Hag’s eye.
In other Manchester United news, the Red Devils are set to hand Alejandro Garnacho a £50k p/w deal