Wales youngster Mared Griffiths reflects on dream Manchester United debut
Mared Griffiths of Wales during the warm up. Wales v Slovakia in the UEFA Women’s European Qualifying Play-offs at Cardiff City Stadium on the 29th October 2024.
There aren’t many players who will come into this international break with as much confidence as Manchester United and Wales youngster Mared Griffiths.
Griffiths came off the bench for Manchester United in the FA Cup against Wolves, and despite only having ten minutes on the pitch, made a monumental impact.
The starlet managed to find the back of the net twice, in what was a debut to remember.
“I’m lucky to have got an opportunity to get on the pitch, and I’m grateful for that opportunity. However, as a young player, you’ve got to take your chances when you can and make a mark.
“I feel like I did that, even though the keeper helped me out! But a goal is a goal at the end of the day, and I’m happy I was able to score.”
One thing that has been highlighted time and time again from United players, current and former, is the squad unity, and Griffiths was another who was keen to point out how big a role her teammates played in her starring role.
“I felt all the nerves coming in when I was about to go on, but the whole team is so supportive and they made me feel very comfortable straight away, wanting me to be a part of the game rather than just being a number on the pitch.”
The achievement is even more impressive when you consider Griffiths’ background.
There aren’t many stars who hail from the small town of Trawsfynydd. With a population of around 900, the whole town could fit into Penybont’s SDM Glass Stadium with around 300 seats to spare, and there aren’t many superstars come out of that part of North Wales.
However, Griffiths is proud to be representing her community on the big stage.
“Coming from Trawsfynydd, a small village a North Wales, it’s amazing to be representing them for club and country. It’s a proud moment for me and my family to just be in this environment. I’m always grateful and proud for the opportunity.”
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Part of the Family
Despite not making her senior debut yet for Wales, Griffiths has been a mainstay in Rhian Wilkinson’s squads for around a year.
It’s daunting for a 17-year-old to walk into a squad full of superstars, but the midfielder is now in a place where everything feels right.
“I’ve been part of this squad for nearly a year now, I’ve been on plenty of camps, and I feel like I’ve prepared myself well for big games and big moments.
“I feel comfortable now in the environment and now I want to keep pushing for a place in the team, maybe get my first cap, and hopefully make enough progress to be ready for the Euros and maybe get selected.”
Being so young, Griffiths is part of a new generation of Welsh stars who have come into the game in a professional age.
The youngster admits to feeling a little bit of luck about that but is also grateful to still be learning from the squad’s senior heads.
“Football has developed massively over the years, especially Welsh football. I feel, in a way, that I’ve arrived at the right time.
“I’m lucky that I’m only 17, and my football is still developing, but to have Jess Fishlock, to have Angharad James and those experienced players around and to look up to is inspiring.”
Another individual that has also helped Griffiths’ development is manager Rhian Wilkinson.
Having been a former player herself, Wilkinson knows exactly what some of her players are going through, and that’s a huge advantage for someone like Griffiths.
“When a manager has been a player, I do feel like it’s a lot better, because they understand the position that you’re in a lot more. I’m learning a lot from Rhian, and she learns a lot from us too.
“It really does feel like a big family here. She is a good communicator, and she does pull me to the side and tells me to do this and that, but that’s the way forward for me now to try and get those minutes in.”
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Perfect Preparation
Wales are certainly embarking on a run of tricky fixtures ahead of the Euros, with fixtures against Italy, Sweden, and Denmark to come in this upcoming Nations League campaign.
Yet, Griffiths isn’t afraid of what’s to come over the next few months, insisting these games are exactly what Wales need ahead of a major tournament.
“These games are going to be good for us because it will prepare us well for the Netherlands, France, and England. We need to be challenged by the big nations, because it is only going to make us better as a team, and then we’ll be ready to go for the Euros.”
The Nations League is perhaps viewed unfavourably by some of Europe’s bigger nations, but Griffiths and Wales are fans of the new competition, and are looking to thrive in League A.
“The Nations League is a good competition now, especially to prepare ourselves for the upcoming Euros. We’ve worked hard to get to a major tournament, but now we need to take those steps that lead into it by playing well in these upcoming games.”
