Mitchell scoops Reserves award

Demi Mitchell has pipped Manchester United Under-23s colleagues Kieran O'Hara and Ethan Hamilton to the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year trophy.

The 21-year-old was an integral member of Ricky Sbragia's side for the first part of the campaign, scoring a free-kick in the opening-day win at Leicester City.

In all, he contributed four goals from full-back and was an attacking outlet down the flank, showing the pace and flair that has earned him a senior debut against Crystal Palace in the final game of the 2016/17 season.

The impressive form helped alert Hearts and a loan move was arranged in January, with Mitchell quickly making his mark at Tynecastle and scoring an absolute cracker against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup.

Unfortunately, a knee injury curtailed his progress but he has since recovered and is back with the Edinburgh side.

"I've been here since I was a kid so, to win an award at Manchester United means a lot," said Mitchell. "So I drove down [for it]!

"When you go on loan, you grow up as a person, you grow as a man, you learn a lot and I think that, going there for six months, I’ve learnt a lot, playing in men’s football and playing for points now. You know how much it means to the staff and all the players around you so it’s important.

"To be honest I think it [the pre-season tour] was a great experience but I was a bit overwhelmed at the time. It was a great experience for me and I learnt a lot but, playing on loan at Hearts, I've learned more. I think I’m just growing as a person."

Goalkeeper O'Hara was second with energetic midfielder Hamilton finishing third, as the Reserves will hope for better fortunes in 2018/19.