ON-LOAN York City striker Ntumba Massanka has admitted his prolific record at under-21 level counts for little as he attempts to carve out a reputation in the senior game.

Massanka has plundered 16 goals in 14 games for Burnley's development team this term.

That record alerted City chief Jackie McNamara and many other managers to the Tottenham-born 19-year-old's potential and led to his professional debut as a second-half substitute during Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Newport at Bootham Crescent.

But Massanka did not get a sight of the visitors' goal following his 56th-minute introduction and admitted his Football League baptism was an education, saying: "I've come here with a massive goalscoring record and a lot of people are talking about it, but that's under-21 football and it's completely different to the men's game.

"There are a lot more people watching and it's more physical. You've also got to be smarter about what you do and it's more of a fight to be honest.

"Under-21s football is not like that, but that can only help me in my career and I will get valuable experience from the games I play because I've learned loads just from that half-hour on Saturday.

"I've just got to get myself going and into positions to score goals. It felt really good to make my professional debut, although I have come here to score goals, so it was disappointing not to get one and, more importantly, it was disappointing not to get a win."

Massanka added that the team shared the frustration of booing home supporters at the final whistle.

"It was disappointing for the boys and, of course, the fans, because I thought we were the better side," he reasoned. "We started off a bit shaky but we grew into the game and probably should have taken the chances we had."

Massanka lined up alongside City's nine-goal, top scorer Vadaine Oliver as City switched to 4-4-2 during the second period and, even thought the pair did not hit it off immediately, the Turf Moor recruit reckons it is a partnership that can flourish.

"Vadaine wins quite a lot of flick-ons and, if I can anticipate them and run in behind, that can be a starting point for us as a team and, hopefully, create chances for us," Massanka declared.

The ex-Manchester United academy attacker revealed, meanwhile, that he has two main targets between now and the end of the season when his loan spell with the Minstermen expires.

"I'm hoping the loan can help me push towards the first team at Burnley but I also want to stay up with York City," he said. "That would be great and it's not like the lads aren't giving everything they've got - we just need a break."

Having spent his pre-teenage, formative years at Old Trafford, Massanka still feels the good habits he picked up there are benefitting him as he takes his first strides into the pro game.

"It was brilliant at Manchester United," he enthused. "I was there from the age of six to 12 and, despite its stature, it was a grounded club where everyone respected each other equally, from the manager at the time Alex Ferguson to the cleaning staff.

"The club was a big part of my development and and has given me a lot of things to take forward wherever I've gone since. At Burnley, I also learned a different style of playing and had to adapt to that, so both clubs have helped me so much in my career."

Massanka has also taken great encouragement and inspiration from the progress some of his Red Devils contemporaries have made in recent seasons.

"Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who made his debut for United this season is still a good friend of mine and I'm in touch with quite a few from those days," he explained. "James Wilson was also in the year above and Tyler Blackett, Ravel Morrison, Michael Keane and Will Keane were all around during those academy days too.

"It's brilliant when you see them doing well. I knew them at six and you never dream your friends are going on to play at Old Trafford at that age."