U`s Better Than Man U For Medy

Colchester United legend Perry Groves has told the local press that Medy Elio made the right decision by turning down a move to Manchester United in favour of Layer Road.

The youngster, 17, reportedly rejected overtures the Premiership Champions when he agreed professional terms with the U`s in the summer and Groves, the first signing of the George Graham era at Arsenal, thinks he`s done the right thing.

"If you're at a big club you can get swallowed up in their academy, youth and then reserve teams," he said in the Evening Gazzette. This was as much a reference to prodigy Elito as it was his own experience. The report highlights that Groves made his Colchester debut as a 16-year-old.

Groves stated: "I played what I call real football in the old fourth division with Colchester and I don't think there are enough players who want to learn in the lower leagues now."

It is an issue that current stalwart skipper Karl Duguid has also talked about in the past, and Groves` comments came on the eve of yet another appearance for Elito in the county`s white.

Medy turned out for the whole of the second half in last night`s England Under-18 game in Gillingham.

"Medy will be taught good habits and if he has the tools, I'm sure he can do well," said Groves, who went on to become a cult figure for The Gunners in the 1980s.