Player releases in football are a cruel part of the game, particularly when it comes to the U23 level.
Those that depart from the academy usually do so because of one reason – they are deemed not good enough. As blunt as it sounds, this sort of ‘cutthroat’ attitude occurs across the globe with football clubs, with there usually being little desire to keep stagnated players around, who are of the 22-24 age range.
There are, however, other factors that play at work. Contract disputes are one, as seen through the Angel Gomes saga, and of course, the unfortunate part of the game which are injuries.
Demitri Mitchell has been an unlucky part of the latter, with the Englishman being released by the club upon the expiry of his contract back in June. The defender had been with United for over a decade, joining the youth set-up back in 2007.
He made his senior debut against Crystal Palace on the final Premier League day of the 17/18 season, where he impressed with his explosive attributes down the left-channel. Mitchell was loaned out to Hearts the following year, making a similar impact early on.
Such progression was quickly hampered by a knee injury though, keeping him on the sidelines for seven games. The Scottish club decided to roll the dice on the talent for another season, before the same story began to take shape. Mitchell suffered cartilage damage in February 2018, ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe defender now finds himself without a club, but it all could have been so different for the former academy graduate. Speaking to the PA news agency, via MEN, he revealed: “I spoke to the current manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, at the back of last season. I was quite surprised myself because I’d never worked with him and he was new to me, anyway. He said like he wants me involved and there’s a future here for me.
“I was just on the cusp of getting back fit and then I came back training and my knee just wasn’t right at the time. I had a little few niggles and stuff. It just wasn’t right for me, so up until then it was still a possibility for me.
“I think it was just bad luck, bad timing. Obviously Brandon has come in and done great. It’s just unlucky me, really.”
Hearing such comments will no doubt frustrate fans, as Mitchell did look a promising talent prior to his prolonged setbacks. The full-back area is one that needs strengthening, and he could have been a small gem in bolstering the club’s current options.
Moving forward though, the 23-year-old is determined to succeed: “I am 23 now, it’s time to move on and get more first-team football under my belt. United is all I’ve known, really, but going on loan really broadened my perspective on men’s football, so that was kind of a big thing.
“Those moments have really made me feel like that even if I’m not playing my best football at the time I know that I’ve got a lot more in the locker, or that I can do things that certain people can’t do.”
There is reportedly strong interest in Mitchell from various EFL clubs, and all those at Old Trafford will no doubt be wishing him the best of luck on his next adventure.
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