Charlie Savage leaves Manchester United to join Reading

The 20-year-old signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils in April 2021 and went on to make his first-team debut for the club in December 2021, coming off the bench against Young Boys in the Champions League.

Savage spent the second half of last season on loan at Forest Green Rovers in League One, making 15 appearances, before returning to Old Trafford.

The midfielder was left out of the Man United squad that travelled to the United States for their pre-season tour, fuelling suggestions that he would be leaving the club this summer.

Reading have now secured his signature on a four-year contract, with the Royals believed to have beaten a number of clubs to a deal.

"Charlie is a young man who is already beginning to realise his potential and it will be exciting to see him continue to elevate his game," Reading's head of football operations Mark Bowen told the club's official website.

Savage, meanwhile, posted an exit message to Man United on Saturday afternoon.

"Today marks the end of my time at Manchester United," he wrote on Twitter. "For the past 15 years I have had the privilege to call Manchester United my home. I joined the club as a boy, aged five, and am leaving, aged 20, forever grateful for every single person who has helped me to this date.

"From the kit and kitchen staff, coaches and every single person who has had a hand in my journey, thank you. There are too many people to name personally.

"To make my debut for the first team at Old Trafford in the Champions League was the proudest moment of my life so far, fulfilling a childhood dream.

"Playing that one game for the club was more than I ever expected, and I feel proud to be leaving having achieved that, capping it all off by captaining the team vs. Leeds last week really was a fairy-tale ending.

"To be one of only a few people to represent the club all the way from the Under-9's to the first team is something I will forever hold close to my heart.

"I feel like now is the perfect time for me to leave on my own accord and pursue the amazing opportunity that is in front of me. I will always support the club and will be back at Old Trafford to support the team soon. Once a red, always a red!"

Fellow youngster Zidane Iqbal has also left Man United this summer to join FC Utrecht, while David de Gea, Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones saw their contracts come to an end last month.