Starting the final league match of the campaign against Liverpool, he produced an accomplished performance against opponents with far more experience and shone at the heart of the back four.

A local lad with leadership qualities, he really made his mark in the Under-18s team as a first-year scholar after previously captaining the Under-16s.

The centre-back finished the 2018/19 campaign with 21 appearances to his name and experience of competing in the FA Youth Cup for the Reds.

He broke into the Under-23s the following season, helping Neil Wood’s side to consecutive victories in the Leasing.com Trophy and a strong start to the Premier League 2 campaign. A number of solid showings earned Mengi a position in the travelling first-team squad for United’s match against FC Astana in the UEFA Europa League in November 2019, although he was an unused substitute during the Reds’ 2-1 defeat.

The promising defender made his United debut in our Europa League return leg with LASK, coming on as an 84th-minute substitute in our 2-1 win at Old Trafford. He also made the squad that travelled to Germany for the remainder of the competition, making the bench against FC Copenhagen and Sevilla.

In the 2020/21 season, Mengi was an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup matches versus Luton Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, which United both won 3-0.

A move to Wayne Rooney’s Derby County, on loan in January, provided a wonderful opportunity to gain more experience at senior level and, midway through his stint in the Championship, he signed a new United contract that will run until 2024, with the option of a further year extension.