Old Trafford has not particularly been the ‘Theater of Dreams’ since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club with his retirement. The glory of the 20-time English champions have faded to a large extent during the days of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal but things are likely to change with the big appointment of Jose Mourinho. As the Manchester United fans await the coming season with optimism, they also should prepare themselves for a series of departures from the club.
A host of players are likely to be shown the exit door by Mourinho this summer and as per The Daily Mail, Timothy Fosu Mensah is among the group of players unfancied by Jose Mourinho at Manchester United. The young Dutchman impressed for the Red Devils last term from his 10 first team appearances under Louis van Gaal and fans rate him as one for a long-term future.
It’s quite a shock to see the 18-year-old not being rated by new manager Jose Mourinho. However, as they say, ‘one’s pain, another’s gain’. If the young Dutchman is made available for transfer by the Red Devils, Spurs should pounce on the opportunity.
Fosu Mensah is a powerful and well-built defensive player who is capable of plying his trade anywhere across the back four as well as a defensive midfielder. The 18-year-old started his football education at the best academy in the world, AFC Ajax Youth Academy. After being snapped up by the Red Devils in 2014, he took no time to showcase his talent for various youth sides of the club.
With a frame 0f 6’3″, the Dutchman excels aerially. He is blessed with a very good technical ability and is not easy to knock off the ball. The 18-year-old has bags of pace in his locker. Another strong aspect of Fosu Mensah’s game is his ability to read the game. For a player who is just 18, the Dutchman is quite mature and composed.
Spurs need a direct cover for Toby Alderweireld. They have three central defenders at their disposal right now and out of them, two are left-footed (Vertonghen and Wimmer). It is a public knowledge that a left-footed defender cannot slot in at right centre-back position. That makes Fosu-Mensah a good addition to the squad. The Dutchman can also put in cover for the full-backs and also in defensive midfield.
There aren’t many managers in the world better than Pochettino when it comes to grooming young talents and offer them first-team opportunities. Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Eric Dier all are cases in point. Fosu-Mensah can prove to be a major part of the Lilywhites’ future if Spurs can snap him up.
