3/1 To Win
Defender Teden Mengi has seamlessly settled into life at Derby County following his deadline day loan move from Premier League side Manchester United at the beginning of February.
The 18-year-old is experiencing his first taste of professional football away from the Red Devils, where he made his senior debut in the Europa League at the end of last season.
Mengi has made three starts and one substitute appearance since his move to Derby and has adapted well to his new surroundings at Pride Park Stadium.
After making his Rams debut as a late substitute in a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough, he has been named in the starting line-up in the away games against Wycombe Wanderers, Cardiff City and most-recently Barnsley, where he stood out as the Rams settled for a point in the 0-0 draw in South Yorkshire.
The Manchester United Academy graduate is pleased with how his loan spell is unfolding under Wayne Rooney’s guidance.
“I’m really enjoying it,” he told RamsTV. “The lads have been great to me and very welcoming. They have helped me a lot and I think it has reflected on the pitch in my performances.
“It has been good to play in the Championship, but it has been tough. It is a completely different game to what I am used to, it is a lot more physical and you are playing for something.
“It is a real test and you have to stay locked in for the full 90 minutes. You cannot switch off because if you don’t do then it can be the difference for your team in conceding a goal, especially in my position. It has been good to be involved in the team.”
The England youth international has shown his versatility since his arrival last month, having been utilised at both central defence and at right back.
Rooney called on the defender to play as a central three against Barnsley on Wednesday night, where he put in a man of the match display to earn a clean sheet and a valuable point.
“It was a tough game,” he said. “It wasn’t a pretty one but I think the lads showed a lot of resilience.
“I was proud of us on Wednesday. On another day we would have won that game but I think we did really well to come away with a point.
“Being a defender, you have to be comfortable playing in all positions along the back four and it is a good skill to have.”
The Rams now have back-to-back home games against Millwall and Brentford over the next few days.
Mengi is confident the side can build on their point gained on Wednesday when Millwall visit Pride Park on Saturday.
“Obviously, we drew the last game and did really well and I think the only way now is upwards,” he explained. “We are in good form from the last game so it is time to kick on now.”
