Former Sunderland defender on the move after he was told he could leave for free
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A graduate of Manchester United’s outstanding academy, the 23-year-old has a strong pedigree and revels in the first team in Scotland on loan from Heart.
Lately he is being tried at the Academy of Light and is known to have made a big impression since returning to black cat training.
But what can Sunderland enthusiasts expect from the side if he put the pen on the paper?
We spoke to two hounds who watched the young man to learn his views on Mitchell’s strengths and weaknesses, and whether it would be a smart acquisition for Sunderland:
Mitchell’s departure from Old Trafford ended a promising career, which in 2017 will have no limits.
The winger was a winger when he joined United as a youngster, having played for local team Fletcher Moss Rangers, the same club that nurtured Marcus Rashford in his early years.
But Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s assignment caused Mitchell to turn back to close the gap for United’s under-23s. Since then, he’s looked back.
Indeed, it was in this position that the young man first caught the attention of the first team’s command, then led through José Mourinho.
“He was inspired by this position, but it was his versatility that probably made him an exciting selection for Jose Mourinho, then the coach of the first team,” says Harry Robinson, founder of Man Utd Academy.
Mitchell trained a lot with the first team and worried about some traveling groups before his debut.
“His debut was United’s last game of the season in 2017. They beat Crystal Palace and Mourinho made his debut for many academy graduates.
“Scott McTominay is the only one with a first-team member. Mitchell stayed with United after that match and there was definitely a feeling he had a chance at the club.
But it turned out to be Mitchell’s first team out for the Red Devils.
So why didn’t you make more marks on the senior configuration?
Much of this is due to injuries he suffered during two loan periods at Hearts, which hindered his progression and normal playing opportunities.
When he was completely fit again, the stage at Old Trafford was very different, as Robinson explains.
“At the time, Solskjaer was a manager and when Mitchell returned to practice in September 2019, Brandon Williams was already starting to make his call and making his debut later this month.
“From there, there was no room for Mitchell. “
Unsurprisingly, when the 23-year-old broke free at the end of his contract this summer, however, those who have seen the United channel religiously in recent years remain convinced that Mitchell can make a mark on his new club.
“I think he’s in a position for first-team football, yes,” Robinson admits.
“But he is not in a position to move to Manchester United’s first football team. That’s why he broke free. “
“However, there are countless stories of players coming from United who have forged a truly impressive career.
“The most productive example of maturity is Ben Pearson at Preston or even Nick Powell in Stoke. There are many others too. I hope Mitchell gets it right anywhere he signs.
So what can Sunderland enthusiasts expect if the side puts the pen on the paper in an agreement at the Stadium of Light?
“During the lockout period, it increased a lot as many footballers did,” Robinson says.
“It looks more powerful than ever and is a smart use of your time. It’s still thin and therefore the decent speed it has deserves not to be affected by a little extra weight and strength. “
“It’s fast and it has been. He was extreme before he was left-back and can play in any position.
“He has a sensitive taste in that he can walk away from his counterpart. As a defenseman, again, we haven’t noticed much of him in this position at United in a long time. It is natural that some weaknesses are evident to the changed extremes. “. But it deserves to be able to improve quite quickly.
Although he only made a senior appearance for United, Mitchell gained valuable first-team joy in two separate loan terms at Hearts.
Injuries might have limited him to 29 appearances in two spells, but it gave him enough time to impress Tynecastle’s faithful.
“It’s had a positive impact,” says Joel Sked, a journalist for the Edinburgh Evening News.
“The left-back had been a problematic position for the club prior to his arrival. Although he only played 11 times [during his first season on loan], he appreciated it very much and when he re-signed the following season, there was a lot of excitement among the fans.
“There have been many Academy players who have come to Scotland with the conviction that it will be easy, and then they are afraid. Hearts have had some. But Mitchell.
“The speed of the game was good for him and he wasn’t discouraged by the physique.
This concept bodes well for Sunderland, with one of the main considerations of any young player as to whether he can take over League One rigmirol.
Another promising facet of Mitchell is his ability to play as a side, a prerequisite for coming in as a left-back this summer, given the system Parkinson likes.
“He is more productive when he is a left-back with the delight of Christophe Berra in his appearance, who can simply dominate that dominance as he moves forward,” Sked said.
“However, Berra was injured at the time, and then, when he returned, he was not the same player.
“Given his qualities, it’s an end to me.
“The most vital thing is speed and candor,” he adds.
“Hearts is a fairly slow team, but Mitchell gave the team the speed, acceleration and directionality it must have on the wings.
“In addition, he had a damaging left foot, as noted with a beautiful purpose in the cup opposite St Johnstone and although his passage may be erratic, he played it with rhythm.
“At the time of season, the most obvious defensive vulnerability.
“I think it can be a smart face-to-face defense, but distrustful in terms of position and some of the defense bases want to improve, when to retire, when to clear the lines. “
“But we won’t have to know that this is a player who hasn’t played the role for long. “
With the new monetary pressures Facing Sunderland, there is growing confidence that Parkinson can turn to Mitchell to offer Denver Hume a festival in the new campaign.
It’s no secret that the Black Cats have made Luke Gart a target in the first few weeks of the move-in window, the arrival of The League One’s pay cap has left the deal on suspense for now.
Mitchell made a positive impression on his test and it may turn out to be a cost-effective option, and that can’t obstruct Hume’s development, as was Garbutt’s concern.
There is a clever possibility that Parkinson needs to see Mitchell in an attack before making a resolution from the company about his long-term in Sunderland; however, this concept suggests that there is much to be positive in the case where the former Manchester United player would put a pen on paper.