08 October 2023 , 01:00
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Wales manager Rob Page has revealed he had to tell Charlie Savage to quit Manchester United to kickstart his career.
Savage – the 20-year-old son of Mirror Sport columnist Robbie – could make his debut for his country next week. The uncapped Reading midfielder is in line to play in Wales’ friendly against Gibraltar in Wrexham on Wednesday.
But back in the summer Page gave some blunt advice to the son of his former teammate when he told Savage junior to end his Old Trafford family dream. Back in 1994, Robbie left United after finding his route to the first team blocked and relaunched his career with Crewe before moving on to Leicester City.
He went on to win 39 caps for Wales. "I know what Robbie went through when he left Manchester United years ago to go to Crewe,” said Page.
“I was in contact with Charlie over the last few months and told him he needed to go out and play competitive football if he wanted a career and if he wanted international football. He took that advice on board, he went to Reading, where he is playing well and scoring goals.
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“He was on stand-by with us in September and now he gets the next stage in his development and he deserves it.” Since leaving United, Savage has nailed down a first-team place at League One Reading and scored two goals in 12 appearances.
The youngster is well regarded by Page and has played eight times across three age group sides for Wales, but is yet to represent the senior team. Savage is not the only Wales player with a famous relative picked by Page, who faces a crunch Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Croatia next Sunday.
Charlie left Manchester United for Reading in the summer (Getty Images)Liverpool defender Owen Beck, who is the great-nephew of the Liverpool and Wales legend Ian Rush, could also make his debut. Beck, currently on loan at Dundee United, has earned a first senior call, while Regan Poole – who joined the League One leaders, Portsmouth, in the summer – has been recalled to the senior squad for the first time since 2019.
“We will have three days on the grass looking at the young players and then they will have the opportunity to play first team competitive game for Wales,” added Page.