Denis Irwin is a big fan of Demetri Mitchell and is excited to see how the youngster will perform on the US tour after Jose Mourinho included him in a pre-season squad.
The former Red Devil is also impressed how Mitchell switched from left winger to left-back, and he liked what he saw in the final game of the last season when Mitchell made his senior debut against Crystal Palace.
Irwin spoke to ManUtd.com about Demetri: “I have watched him playing for the Under-23s and was impressed,” he said. “He obviously started his career as a left winger and you can see that in him, very much like you can with Antonio Valencia.
“He played a fantastic game against Crystal Palace in the last game of the season and this is a great experience for him, to come out on tour for the first time and to learn from the more senior players about what is required to make it at this level, to learn about the hard work and dedication that is necessary at a club like Manchester United.
“I think it will do his confidence the world of good and I am interested to see how he progresses. Left-back is a spot where so many players played last season – Darmian, Blind, Rojo, Shaw and even Young – so there could an opening there for him. Let’s see how he gets on,” Irwin concluded.
Mitchell will get his chance in the US as both players (Shaw and Rojo) who are ahead of him in the pecking order are out injured and the 20-year-old has the opportunity to impress the gaffer. He played 22 games for United U23 team last year and scored five goals. Demetri can cover the entire left flank and can serve as a winger if necessary, but Mourinho will likely deploy him as a left-back in the pre-season matches.
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