Mengi 'grateful' for being given a chance to shine by Luton after Manchester United exit

A grateful Luton defender ​Teden Mengi has thanked the Hatters for giving him the opportunity to show just what he is capable of in the top flight this term.

The 21-year-old was always thought highly of when coming through the ranks at Manchester United, representing England from U15 to U20 level, but injuries blighted his opportunity of breaking into the Red Devils first team. They also affected him during his loan spells at Birmingham City and Derby County, as previously his highest number of appearances in a campaign came while at St Andrews, with 10 starts during a three month stint.

Last season, he was restricted to just two games for United’s U21s in the Checkatrade Trophy, before deciding to end his 14 years with the Red Devils and move to Kenilworth Road in August, boss Rob Edwards stating at the time there was no pressure on him to immediately break into the first team. However, an impressive Carabao Cup outing at Exeter City saw Mengi propelled into Town’s Premier League squad, as after coming on in the 2-1 win at Everton, he started the following game against Burnley and hasn’t looked back since.

With Town suffering badly from injuries, particularly in defence, Mengi has shown a warrior-like durability to stand firm and play through some obvious pain at times, starting 27 top flight matches, along with the five cup games, making it 34 outings in total. His performances on the pitch haven’t gone unnoticed either, leading the way for Luton in terms of clearances at 4.7 per match, plus interceptions, while he is also second for blocks, with 1.9 tackles a game too.

Having played 2,453 minutes, the fifth highest in the squad and most from any centre back in the Town ranks, also winning a first U21 cap for his country as well, Mengi said: “On a personal note, I'm just very grateful for what Luton have done for me which is even bringing me into this place as given my injury record, I genuinely thought that I wouldn't be given such a big opportunity as I have.

"To play nearly 30 games in the Premier League this season, I’m just so grateful for it. I've had a very tough couple of years through injuries and just thank God that I've overcome that as there’s not much more I can ask for really."

Boss Edwards was also eager to talk up Mengi’s progression this term which has taken him from being brought in to add competition, to grabbing his chance with both hands and becoming one of the mainstays of the Hatters back three. He added: “He’s got a very bright future, Teden. He came in as one of seven, it was fight for your place and he’s just gone on and on and on. Then circumstances dictated that, right you're playing, you’re in and then he has really stepped up.

"He’s taken his chance and I love that as football gives people a chance and then you've got to step up and take it. This is his first full season of professional football so to be doing that in the Premier League, and let’s be honest, in a team that’s having to defend quite a bit as well at times, the way he’s played and we've asked him to defend big space and one v ones, sometimes against the best players in the world, he’s shown incredible bravery and some real qualities as well.

"He’s going to be a top player. He's a serious guy, he means business. He’s focused, he’s got so many good attributes which he’s shown, but he’s learning so much as well. He’s really driven and for such a young player, he’s so consistent. In his first full year of playing senior football in the Premier League, that speaks volumes for him.”