According to a recent report by Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have activated a one-year option in Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s contract which will keep him at Old Trafford until the end of next season. The same source has revealed that the Dutch full-back only had a few months remaining on his current deal before the Red Devils decided to trigger a one-year extension to retain his services until the summer of 2021.
Fosu-Mensah’s Frustrations In The Premier League This Season
Since making a high-profile move from Ajax in the summer of 2014, Fosu-Mensah has only managed to appear in 21 matches for the Mancunian giants thus far and has got just one assist to show for his efforts. He has missed a significant chunk of this campaign after undergoing cruciate ligament surgery. The Dutch defender is yet to make a first-team appearance for Man United this season which doesn’t bode well for his long-term future at the Theatre of Dreams.
However, it seems like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is willing to provide him with a lifeline by extending his contract for one more year. If things go according to plan for him in the next 12 months, then maybe there is a chance that he could finally justify his potential by becoming a regular in Solskjaer’s first-team.
Will The Dutch Defender Get Any First-Team Opportunities Next Season?
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has enjoyed a good run of form this season, so Fosu-Mensah will find it difficult to beat him in the race for the right-back spot. However, the ex-Ajax starlet is versatile enough to operate as a defensive midfielder or as a centre-back as well. So he should think about switching positions if he wants to turn his career around in England.
Solskjaer is well-stacked in defence, but a midfield place could be up for grabs alongside Scott McTominay with both Fred and Nemanja Matic struggling to find consistency with their performances this season. Even though the pair has come good for Man United of late, yet there are still some question marks over their long-term appeal at Old Trafford.
As things stand, even if the Premier League decide to cancel this season because of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Man United will be guaranteed participation in Europe next season. Therefore, a promising player like Fosu-Mensah can expect to get plenty of chances to prove his worth if he can stay healthy by avoiding injuries in the coming months.
Did Solskjaer Make The Right Call By Retaining Fosu-Mensah’s Services Until The Summer Of 2021?
The young defender can use his quickness to make some penetrative runs down the right flank. He is also willing to make recovering runs at the back when his teammates are left exposed on the counter. However, Fosu-Mensah needs to improve the defensive side of his game if he intends to become a top player in his position someday.
All in all, it seems like Solskjaer has made the right call by retaining the Dutch defender’s services for at least another season. This latest development will also allow Man United to recoup a transfer fee for the player if they decide to sell him this summer or in January which is always a bonus especially when there is an economic crisis in football looming on the horizon due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
