LOCAL LAD MITCHELL MAKING IT AT UNITED
Homegrown talents do not come any more local than Demi Mitchell, the Manchester United prospect brought up in the shadow of Old Trafford.
When the 20-year-old made his debut for the club in the final game of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace, it was another moment to feel proud of the way the club develops youngsters.
"Coming from the Old Trafford area, to play at the stadium was just a dream come true," Mitchell told ManUtd.com. "It all happened so fast, to be fair, and I didn't really expect it this season. It was a great experience and I'm so happy the manager gave me the chance. It was a blessing.
"I used to walk past the ground on my way to school and I used to look at it and dream about playing there. I used to play around there, in the parks, and a lot of my friends are obviously United fans like me. I've been at the club since I was six years old and playing for the first team is something I've been working towards ever since."
Mitchell's season did not get off to the best of starts. His shoot-out miss in the Lancashire Senior Cup against Oldham Athletic proved costly for United Reserves and the fact it looked like a failed attempt at a 'Panenka' penalty only made matters worse. Crucially, he bounced back with a superb winning goal against Leicester City in the very next match.
"It's mad to think that penalty miss happened this season, it feels so long ago," he said. "I changed my mind at the last minute as I intended to put it down the middle. It did look like a chip though and everyone said that to me!
"I redeemed myself with the goal against Leicester and it felt like a turning point, even though it was just the start of the season. I have been putting the penalties away since then. The miss is behind me now and I'm looking forward to taking more."
The decision by interim Reserves coach Nicky Butt to switch Mitchell from winger to left-back is a change that has reaped dividends, with the youngster performing excellently in that first-team win over Palace last month.
"It was his decision due to injuries," recalled Mitchell. "I had to change my game and developed a new position. Nicky spoke to me and helped me a lot. It was just a transition as it's not too dissimilar to left-winger. There is a lot more defending involved obviously but I think I can bring my attacking qualities to left-back as well.
"That side of the game is important to me. I like to get forward and have an impact on the game, getting forward and goals and assists are something I thrive on. I look to bring that to any team I play for.
"I feel comfortable at left-back and it's natural for me to play there. The change was made six or seven months ago now and I've built on it. I've worked hard and watched videos of players like Marcelo and Ashley Cole. I tried to build my game around players like that and I think it's worked well.
"[Under-18 coach] Kieran McKenna helped me with my one-versus-one defending and just believing in my speed by showing my opponent down the line. It's about believing I can stop him [the opponent] with my speed instead of being fearful of him."
Mitchell is currently on international duty with England in the Toulon Tournament with the young Lions through to Saturday's final against Ivory Coast. After a short break this summer, he can approach the new season with real confidence, safe in the knowledge that he looked far from out of place on the big stage.
"I've really tried to take every game and every week as it comes and not look too far into the future," he explained. "I'm hoping to stay fit and play well in the tournament with England and stay fit during my holiday.
"We'll then see what pre-season brings. I could be involved with the first team but, if not, I'll play for the Reserves, train hard and see what comes.
"It is important to get a break but I'm raring to go. The Toulon Tournament is good for me to stay fit and then I'll only have a smaller amount of time on holiday but I'm really looking forward to next season already. Hopefully, some opportunities will arise."
The likeable local lad is certainly feeling the warmth from everybody at Old Trafford willing him to do well at his boyhood club.
"Everyone was buzzing," he said of his debut. "All the staff and all the other players were happy for me. It's a real good thing about United - it's like a big family. Everyone supports everyone else so that's why I was really happy and thankful for all the support after the game."
Homegrown talents do not come any more local than Demi Mitchell, the Manchester United prospect brought up in the shadow of Old Trafford.
When the 20-year-old made his debut for the club in the final game of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace, it was another moment to feel proud of the way the club develops youngsters.
"Coming from the Old Trafford area, to play at the stadium was just a dream come true," Mitchell told ManUtd.com. "It all happened so fast, to be fair, and I didn't really expect it this season. It was a great experience and I'm so happy the manager gave me the chance. It was a blessing.
"I used to walk past the ground on my way to school and I used to look at it and dream about playing there. I used to play around there, in the parks, and a lot of my friends are obviously United fans like me. I've been at the club since I was six years old and playing for the first team is something I've been working towards ever since."
Mitchell's season did not get off to the best of starts. His shoot-out miss in the Lancashire Senior Cup against Oldham Athletic proved costly for United Reserves and the fact it looked like a failed attempt at a 'Panenka' penalty only made matters worse. Crucially, he bounced back with a superb winning goal against Leicester City in the very next match.
"It's mad to think that penalty miss happened this season, it feels so long ago," he said. "I changed my mind at the last minute as I intended to put it down the middle. It did look like a chip though and everyone said that to me!
"I redeemed myself with the goal against Leicester and it felt like a turning point, even though it was just the start of the season. I have been putting the penalties away since then. The miss is behind me now and I'm looking forward to taking more."
The decision by interim Reserves coach Nicky Butt to switch Mitchell from winger to left-back is a change that has reaped dividends, with the youngster performing excellently in that first-team win over Palace last month.
"It was his decision due to injuries," recalled Mitchell. "I had to change my game and developed a new position. Nicky spoke to me and helped me a lot. It was just a transition as it's not too dissimilar to left-winger. There is a lot more defending involved obviously but I think I can bring my attacking qualities to left-back as well.
"That side of the game is important to me. I like to get forward and have an impact on the game, getting forward and goals and assists are something I thrive on. I look to bring that to any team I play for.
"I feel comfortable at left-back and it's natural for me to play there. The change was made six or seven months ago now and I've built on it. I've worked hard and watched videos of players like Marcelo and Ashley Cole. I tried to build my game around players like that and I think it's worked well.
"[Under-18 coach] Kieran McKenna helped me with my one-versus-one defending and just believing in my speed by showing my opponent down the line. It's about believing I can stop him [the opponent] with my speed instead of being fearful of him."
Mitchell is currently on international duty with England in the Toulon Tournament with the young Lions through to Saturday's final against Ivory Coast. After a short break this summer, he can approach the new season with real confidence, safe in the knowledge that he looked far from out of place on the big stage.
"I've really tried to take every game and every week as it comes and not look too far into the future," he explained. "I'm hoping to stay fit and play well in the tournament with England and stay fit during my holiday.
"We'll then see what pre-season brings. I could be involved with the first team but, if not, I'll play for the Reserves, train hard and see what comes.
"It is important to get a break but I'm raring to go. The Toulon Tournament is good for me to stay fit and then I'll only have a smaller amount of time on holiday but I'm really looking forward to next season already. Hopefully, some opportunities will arise."
The likeable local lad is certainly feeling the warmth from everybody at Old Trafford willing him to do well at his boyhood club.
"Everyone was buzzing," he said of his debut. "All the staff and all the other players were happy for me. It's a real good thing about United - it's like a big family. Everyone supports everyone else so that's why I was really happy and thankful for all the support after the game."
