Jacob Devaney sits down with the Under-18s Premier League national trophy at Stamford Bridge. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Barnsley's assistant head coach Martin Devaney has opened up about the warm reception his son, Jacob, received from Bruno Fernandes during a Manchester United first-team training session.
The promising teenager, who turned 17 in June and signed his first professional contract at Old Trafford in July, made the leap to senior training at Carrington earlier this year after standout performances for the Under-18s.
Jacob Devaney shone in last season's U18s' league, appearing in 22 out of 24 matches and contributing significantly to their treble, of which two trophies were won by defeating rivals Manchester City.
Already making a mark with the Under-21s in Premier League 2 and shining in the EFL Trophy against Barnsley, the young midfielder is on the radar for bigger opportunities.
On the cusp of Manchester United's Carabao Cup clash with Barnsley, Martin Devaney revealed to The Irish Post the nonchalant reaction of his son after training with Erik ten Hag's players, sharing: "At the same time, he didn't say much for someone who supports United. I said to him, 'Wow Jacob, what's it like? ' and he said, 'Yes, Dad, it's alright; it's not bad'."
Jacob Devaney competes in a training ground drill alongside his teammates. (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images).)
Describing a heartwarming introduction to Manchester United for his son, Devaney shared: "I said, 'Well, what happened then? ' He said, 'Well, Bruno Fernandes came up to me and introduced me to everyone'. You know what they're like; they're 16 and 17.
"He takes it all in his stride. It wasn't until he actually signed that a couple of the coaches, Travis Binnion and Nick Cox, who look after boys transitioning from U18s, U21s, and the first team, said really kind words about how Jacob took it all in his stride and did really well.
"Jacob doesn't say much; he's very modest. I was taken aback by it and asked why he didn't say anything. He just said, 'You know, Dad, it is what it is; you just get your head down and train'.
"It was an unreal experience for him. These kids are being primed for the first-team. They give them a taste and then bring them back into the underage fold. It's very important."
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Delving deeper into his son's skills, Devaney Snr highlighted: "Jacob is a defensive-midfielder. He plays in the six. He's got a great range of passing, and in a six, you have to be press-resistant. That's come into the game a lot these days.
"He's got a great ability to connect with the forward play. He's very calm, and he's also got a great engine. At the minute, he's got all the credentials, but it's early doors."
