Michael Mills capped his first appearance for United’s Under-21s with a goal against Fulham
Michael Mills of Newcastle United (lef) celebrates with team-mates Mason Miley and Anthony Munda(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
Newcastle United prospect Michael Mills rounded off a memorable week by scoring his first goal for the Magpies Under-21s in Friday night’s 3-0 home win against Fulham.
The former Port Vale youngster joined Newcastle during the summer of 2023 and has shown flashes of why he is so highly regarded within the United academy with several impressive displays at Under-18s level.
Mills’ progress was rewarded earlier this week when he celebrated his 17th birthday by putting pen-to-paper on his first professional contract and he was set to start for Robbie Stockdale’s Under-21s side in their home clash with the Cottagers.
However, after talks with key figures within the senior coaching staff, Sean Neave was handed a start at Mills’ expense – but the latter was introduced into the action at half-time and marked his introduction in some style with a neat touch and finish that got him off the mark at Under-21 level.
Interim coach Stockdale revealed the Magpies are taking a cautious approach with Mills’ progress – but described the youngster as ‘really scary’ for any opposing defender.
Michael Mills scores the third goal for Newcastle United U21s against Fulham(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
He told Chronicle Live: “He’s a real threat, he’s got so much pace at the top end of the pitch and that’s really scary for a defender.
“He’s game, he’s strong, he wants to fight for the ball. We’ve tried to drip feed him into the Under-21s. He would have started tonight if Sean hadn’t dropped down so that’s where we think he is at.
“He’s having an impact on games and he is in every game he has come on so far for us so he should be really pleased with his performance as well.”
After being introduced as a half-time substitute for Sean Neave, the versatile forward was dealt an early blow when he was involved in a nasty-looking clash of heads with a Cottagers defender.
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After lengthy and thorough checks by Magpies medical staff, Mills returned to the action and went on the rack up his maiden strike at Under-21s level just minutes later.
Stockdale praised Mills for a strong show of his character after bouncing back from a potentially serious blow to produce a landmark moment in what already feels like a promising career.
“That showed that toughness, the character of the player,” explained the former Middlesbrough defender.
“He must be a nightmare to play against and I would hate to play against players like that. He’s a rash out of possession, he’s fighting for the ball but he’s got electric pace as well.
“We just need to make sure we get him in the right areas because he’s got quality to finish. He had a one-on-one when he tried to dink it and the keeper has saved it.
“So he’s probably thinking he could have had two or three goals himself.”
Mills will hope to continue adding to his Under-21s appearance tally when the Magpies youngsters host Brighton and Hove Albion at Whitley Park on Friday night.
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