It felt like Charlie Savage had reached a career milestone during Manchester United’s summer tour.
The youngster had been handed his first taste of senior action last season, coming on in the dying embers of United’s final Champions League group stage match with Young Boys.
He was included in Erik ten Hag’s squad this summer and showed that the manager was right to trust him, with classy performances against Liverpool and Melbourne Victory.
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He’s not been the only academy starlet to shine, with Zidane Iqbal also putting in some scintillating displays. And there, in fact, lies the danger.
Iqbal is arguably ahead of Savage in the central midfield pecking order, which contains the likes of Fred, Scott McTominay and Hannibal Mejbri. This list could extend if Ten Hag brings in another midfielder before deadline day, as expected.
It means Savage faces a decision. Does he try to fight his way into the United senior squad or seek more first-team minutes elsewhere? He needn’t look far to see how beneficial this can be.
James Garner was instrumental in Nottingham Forest’s promotion campaign last season and as a result will likely play a role for Ten Hag this season. He can also take note of Alvaro Fernandez’s decision.
The left-back, who was named the Under-23s' Player of the Season last term, has secured a loan move to Preston and kept a clean sheet on his competitive debut on Saturday afternoon. Clearly he feels he will develop better with more minutes under his belt, and it’s something Savage must consider.
Even if he does edge his way into Ten Hag’s plans, Savage will likely be limited to cup games and late substitute appearances. The 19-year-old does have time on his side but will want to get some solid game time under his belt before he enters his 20s.
Ten Hag evidently likes what he sees in Savage, though his path to the first-team squad could be about to become an even tougher one to walk if United secure the signing of a central midfielder. The youngster may need to put his long-term goals ahead of his short-term aspirations.
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