Manchester United came desperately close to selling academy sensation Sam Mather during the summer transfer window.
After registering 10 goals and three assists for the U21s last season, the 21-year-old was loaned out to Tranmere, but not before he agreed a contract extension.
However, the loan did not go as planned and the Carrington graduate returned having made only two substitute appearances, seeing a grand total of four minutes of action.
The Red Devils decided that he would be loaned out as he had outgrown academy football, while they were also open to the possibility of including an obligation to buy as part of the loan arrangement.
No exit materialised
United were in talks with Turkish outfit Kayserispor over a permanent sale, but the deal broke down at the final hurdle due to there being no time to sign all the relevant documents.
He was subsequently linked with a surprise switch to the UAE, while Kayserispor were plotting to re-enter discussions in January if he stayed put in Manchester.
In the end, an exit did not materialise, and while most people would have expected Sam Mather to be representing the U21s till the window opens again in January, that has not been the case.
In fact, as revealed by the club website, he was called up to first team training by Ruben Amorim on Tuesday, along with Diogo Dalot, who has returned from injury.
Now called up to first team training
“Young midfielder Sam Mather was also part of the group that worked in pleasant conditions on Tuesday, in stark contrast to the torrential rain that affected last weekend’s win.”
Amorim does not have an out-and-out winger in the team anymore, following Alejandro Garnacho’s summer departure.
The academy graduate can play out wide, and even as an attacking midfielder if needed.
Mather is fast, and diligent while tracking back, and with the youngster set to remain at least until January, we might even see him on the bench if he impresses the head coach in training.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
