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Frustrated in Columbus: Manneh takes inventory of 1st month with Crew

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Weeks after joining the Columbus Crew as part of a high-profile trade with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Kekuta Manneh has yet to play for the club, and it's starting to wear thin with the Gambian attacker.

Despite Crew boss Gregg Berhalter's claims that Manneh would "immediately improve the team" in anticipation that he would "challenge for minutes right away," the fleet-footed player was left behind to train alone in Ohio as his mates traveled to the Big Apple to face New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

Related: Whitecaps trade Manneh to Columbus for Tchani, $300K in allocation money

That prompted Manneh to post the now-deleted "#rockbottom" to Twitter, something the five-year MLS veteran has since clarified.

"I'm used to traveling with the team, whether I'm going to be involved in the game or not, and I'm not used to being left behind," Manneh told mlssoccer.com.

"So it's hard; I'm not going to lie. I'm going through a tough time right now. But it's a professional environment. You don't control anything; all you control is how hard you work and your performance," Manneh continued. "Maybe it's not been at the level that I need to be at, and that's on me as well."

After making no fewer than 17 league appearances in each of his four seasons with Vancouver, Manneh's frustrations are understandable. Though, Berhalter has previously pointed out the attacker's fitness concerns.

"I don't think fitness is a problem for me," Manneh admits. "Do they play a bit differently? Yes. Does it require a bit more running than maybe I'm used to? Yes. But I think I'm 90-minute fit to play any game anywhere in the world. I've been fit to play since I've been here."

Whether or not Manneh is in the squad for Columbus' next match, Sunday's visit from New York City FC, Berhalter admits that he's nearing his debut.

"He's getting close," Berhalter said. "With him ... there's moments where you see, 'OK, he's getting to where we need him to be.' I'm pretty sure he's a guy who can help this team. Watching his skill set, it's about getting him in the right moment to do so."

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