Dermot Mee has opened up about his unusual role at Manchester United, where he has never played a competitive game but has signed a new contract this summer. The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who has been at the club for 12 years, typically serves as a training goalkeeper, helping keep the other keepers sharp and going in goal during outfield drills.
Mee's rare moment in the spotlight came in a pre-season friendly against Leeds, where he came off the bench and saved Harry Wilson's penalty as United won on penalties. After the game, Harry Maguire joked with him, recording on his phone: "Saved a penalty, have ya?"
Embracing the Training Role
Mee has only a handful of senior appearances from loan spells at non-league clubs Trafford, Runcorn Linnets, Witton Albion, and Altrincham. At United, he has been on the bench just five times, and not since March 2025. Despite this, he insists he is not deflated.
"I think from the outside it seems a lot harder than it is," said Mee. "I train day in, day out with some of the best players in the world, so if anything, that could be harder than stepping into the games and being on the bench and being ready."
"I think having the mentality to be able to step up and be available, and hopefully be relied on by the manager and the coaching staff, is something I pride myself on and working hard day in, day out so that I can step into these moments and not shy away from them."
Matchday Role and Contract Decision
Mee plays his part during the week and has a role on matchday, but when the action begins he is usually in the stands. However, he says his weekends don't feel different when he watches his teammates compete.
"It's not deflating. I've been at Manchester United since I was 11 years old, I want them to do well, I want them to win," he said. "I train all week to see the team win on the weekend and it's still the same feeling for me."
He was offered a new contract towards the end of last season, but his deal expired at the end of June before he penned new terms in early July. "You have to think about every contract you sign, whether it's an insurance contract, whether it's a football contract," he said. "You just have to weigh up the pros and cons. For me, being at Manchester United since 11, it was really hard to turn down and I love the club, I love being here, and I want to help the team to do really well this season."
Full Circle Moment and Influence of Tom Heaton
Mee had his parents in the stands at Croke Park on Wednesday, a full circle moment as his mum played camogie at the stadium. He came on for Senne Lammens after an hour with the score 1-1, his chance coming after Tom Heaton picked up an injury in Gothenburg at the weekend.
Mee said Heaton has had a big impact on his career: "Now it's probably come off a lot because I've worked with him for so many years, but at the start he's been the biggest impact on my career from a player's point of view, easily."
"I think some of the advice and some of the coaching tips and some of the actually being a nice person, but pushing me at times, he's really good and I think we have a really good working relationship, but really good personal relationship as well."
With Karl Darlow and Tom Heaton both injured, Mee could be on the bench against Hull City when the Premier League season begins in nine days' time.
