dailyloe.com – Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa has selected academy player Manuel Ángel to start in a crucial LaLiga match against Mallorca. This decision comes despite the team’s ongoing title challenge and a nearly empty injury list. Established stars Thiago, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Ceballos will begin the game on the substitutes’ bench.
Arbeloa has previously called Manuel Ángel one of his ‘favorite’ talents from the youth system. He describes the player as full of talent and improvisation who ensures game continuity. The coach values his ability to press opponents and stifle their build-up play effectively.
Manuel Ángel was developed under Arbeloa’s guidance at the Castilla, Real Madrid’s reserve team. The player understands exactly what is required on the pitch by his coach. His playing style involves less overall movement than teammate Thiago but focuses on intelligent pressing.
The midfielder almost left the club last summer due to numerous external offers. He felt his path to the first team was blocked at that time. However, Arbeloa personally intervened and convinced him to stay with Castilla for another season.
Arbeloa asked Manuel Ángel to ‘stay with me, trust in me’ last summer. This was just after Arbeloa learned he would be coaching the Castilla side. Neither could have predicted Arbeloa would later become the first-team manager following Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Manuel Ángel is now living his childhood dream of playing for Real Madrid. His faith in Arbeloa’s project has paid off perfectly. He has earned his first start for the senior team in a significant league fixture.
This season, the player has accumulated 60 minutes of first-team action. His appearances are spread across two Champions League, two LaLiga, and one Copa del Rey match. These minutes are particularly special for the homegrown talent.[]
Source: MARCA
