Young Manchester United duo Charlie Savage and Will Fish have reportedly spent time training with the Blues as part of the Pro Experience Programme employed by the Red Devils this season.

The scheme, introduced by head of academy player development Justin Cochrane, has previously seen Joe Hugill and Charlie Wellens spend time at Forest Green Rovers, Charlie McNeill and Dillon Hoogewerf at Sheffield Wednesday and Rhys Bennett and Dermot Mee with AFC Wimbledon.

Now, according to the EADT, Savage, 18, and Fish, 19, have trained with the Blues.

Savage, the son of former Wales international and pundit Robbie, is a box-to-box midfielder, who made a brief sub appearance for the United first team in a Champions League tie against Young Boys in August and has won Wales caps at U18 and U19 levels.

England U19 international centre-half Fish has similarly made one short appearance from the bench in senior football for United and also spent a spell on loan Stockport in the National League earlier in the season where he made one start and one sub appearance before being recalled in January.

Explaining the scheme in November, Red Devils’ head of academy Nick Cox told the Training Ground Guru: “This programme represents an excellent development opportunity for our players. In the academy we are always looking to be innovative in order to provide the best experiences for all of our boys.

“The opportunity enables players to learn new behaviours and witness first-hand the standards of a first-team environment. We know that they will return to Carrington with a renewed sense of purpose that will benefit the individual and the wider training group.

“Justin Cochrane has been pivotal in establishing this initiative. It is thanks to a number of fantastic relationships that we have been able to establish a really exciting experience for the Professional Development Phase group.”

Town have strong links with United and their academy with manager Kieran McKenna, assistant Martyn Pert and new head of recruitment Sam Williams all having previously worked at Old Trafford prior to joining the Blues.

Photo: Action Images

Guthrum added 10:09 - Apr 6 Sounds good. I wonder if there is the possibility of some of our youths doing the same in reverse?
1

Bazza8564 added 10:26 - Apr 6 I suspect this is the beginning of the development of stronger ties between us. And when I say "suspect" I do of course mean "Pray"!
7

Unhinged_dynamo added 10:27 - Apr 6 I have heard great things about young savage, if he's half as good as his dad he'll have a fine career, wouldn't mind having him on loan next year but not at the expense of Humphrey's
2

Ipswichbusiness added 10:33 - Apr 6 It's all very well having these youngsters train with us, but I wouldn't want them to sign on loan for fear of them hindering the development of our own youngsters.
1

coolhand added 11:11 - Apr 6 Savage needs to get hair cut first
0

Edmundo added 11:18 - Apr 6 Could be a good idea to blend these guys in with our younger 1st team squad members, like Baggot and Simpson, so they can appreciate how far they have to go. And how hard they still need to work.
1

TimmyH added 11:32 - Apr 6 Watch this space between us and Man United for loans in the summer...
4

WeWereZombies added 11:48 - Apr 6 I hope Man. Utd. are paying their way concerning their use of our facilities for getting their youngsters into shape...
-1

TrumptonBlue added 14:55 - Apr 6 Billy the Fish?
2

arc added 15:14 - Apr 6 Young Fish better not be related to Mark Fish :-(
0

WeWereZombies added 15:52 - Apr 6 @arc At least with the age difference we are spared 'Will Fish Mark Fish?'
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