Jesse Lingard and Anthony Elanga have led the response to Manchester United striker D'Mani Mellor confirming his departure from the club. Before the retained list has risen to the surface, the 21-year-old announced that he is set to leave in a classy message posted on his Instagram page.
Mellor progressed through the famed Old Trafford system and made his first-team debut in a Europa League match against FC Astana last campaign. It remained his only senior outing.
However, the frontman - who has returned to fitness after a serious ACL injury - was an influential figure within the United Academy teams and played three times on loan for Class of 92-owned Salford City earlier this season. Mellor is now gearing up for a new permanent challenge.
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Addressing his 50,900 followers on Instagram, Mellor said: " The end of my first chapter in football. Making a debut for Manchester United is something only a small number of people have the honour to say that have achieved.
"I've been extremely fortunate to represent this club for over 10 years. Now, a new chapter starts and I'm ready for that next step and I’m excited show everyone what I can do."
Several replies to that message came flooding in from United supporters far and wide, while Academy teammates including Charlie Savage and Charlie McNeill were among those with Old Trafford connections to reach out as soon to be free agent Lingard and Elanga led the way from a first-team perspective.
Replying with two love heart emojis, Lingard - on the pitch when Mellor was handed his only senior outing for the Premier League giants - said: "Love you bro."
Elanga added: "My brother, all the best man." Several other United players past and present also replied.
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