Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Teden Mengi’s loan move to Derby County will be a ‘great challenge’ and has urged the Manchester United youngster to impress Rams manager Wayne Rooney.
England U18 defender Mengi completed a deadline-day move to Derby, joining Derby on loan until the end of the campaign.
Mengi is one of the most highly-rated young players at the theatre of dreams and made his senior debut in United’s Europa League win over LASK.
The player will hope to establish himself as a first-team regular at the club and Solskjaer wants him to impress Rooney.
‘When you get to his age, sometimes there aren’t enough challenges in every game,’ Solskjaer said of Mengi.
‘It doesn’t prepare him enough for that physical striker or forward that he might meet in the first team. ‘So to play in the Championship is a great challenge for him.’
On Mengi linking up with former Manchester United player Rooney, Solskjaer said: ‘Yeah, that’s going to be good for him.
‘Wayne’s been a top striker. I’m sure he’ll go in there and show him a few things himself.’
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After signing with Derby, Mengi said: ‘I’m really excited and buzzing to be here. ‘When I heard Derby were interested I thought it was no-brainer for me. I’m really happy to be here and to be playing in the Championship.’
Manchester United also sent Facundo Pellstri out on loan, with the winger joining Alaves.
Solskjaer said: ‘Yeah, we feel that he has taken some good strides when he’s been here and we looked at a few options, but that was a good option.
‘He felt comfortable and confident going there, so hopefully he’ll get some important matches in a good league.’
