Troy Deeney has praised Manchester United’s academy products mentality compared to other big clubs.
The 34-year-old is currently plying his trade with his hometown club Birmingham City in the Championship.
It is there that the forward is teammates of United loan Hannibal Mejbri and former United academy graduate Tahith Chong.
While speaking to The Times, Deeney said: “I always find the United people have the right attitude, I don’t know if it’s about what [Sir Alex Ferguson] been there for decades but those who come from Man United are always respectful, there is a desire to be better”.
Deeney also compared United graduates to those of other big clubs, saying “it’s never about money with them. I’ve had people from Chelsea and other clubs and it’s money driven first, whereas at Man United it’s ‘I want to be the best of the best’. Even if they don’t continue to do that, there’s always that drive.”
Having played with several United academy graduates throughout his career, Danny Drinkwater was one of those he pointed to, saying “the first one I had was when Danny Drinkwater came to Watford from Man United, he wasn’t playing but He drove every day to be better and then he’s going to have the career he’s had.”
Drinkwater never made the breakthrough at United, but he reached the highest levels of the game when he lifted the Premier League trophy with Leicester in 2016 and earned a call-up to the England squad.
In the later years of his career, Deeney now sees it as his responsibility to help the younger players, commenting, “My job now is to shape them and help guide them, on and off the pitch.”
With his checkered past and impulsive nature early in his career, Deeney’s past could be something to learn from for the often moody Mejbri.
Luckily not having seen the red card more than once, Mejbri has often walked a tightrope during his loan spell, picking up eight yellow cards.
Despite the Tunisian’s exuberance at times, he is impressing for the Midlands club and has managed three assists in 23 appearances.
The most recent action was in Saturday’s 1-2 loan spell to Preston North End, where Mejbri played for 62 minutes.
BirminghamLive rated his performance as “6.5 – his first 45 was a spell to forget as he failed to assert himself in the game and picked up another avoidable booking. The urgency of him in the second half stood out among his teammates and it was a surprise to see him substituted after an hour.”
United Matchday Magazine – Stay on top of everything in red! Still craving more United content? Get everything you need right here. For just £1.25 per issue / £3.75 per month, you’ll receive unique United information, delivered directly to your inbox, before every game and throughout the month. Get exclusive preparation for every game, plus team news, tactics and history. .Not only that: United Matchday is packed with features, news, transfer news, riddles, nostalgia and humor. Impress your friends and stay on top of everything in red!
