Lakshay Khurana
Manchester United had moved to snap up the highly-rated youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah from Ajax and if he is able to reach his potential, the Red Devils will have another real star on their team.
His size demeans his tender age, with the 18-year-old stepping up to United’s Under-21 team already. He also has pace and the kind of attitude that could see him emerge as a leader as his career develops. He just recently agreed a four-year contract at the club, so United should give him ample of time to reach his perspective.
Fosu-Mensah has played for Manchester United’s youth teams in a variety of positions. He made his professional debut at left-back on 28 February 2016 in a 3–2 Premier League win at home to Arsenal, coming on as a 55th-minute substitute for Marcos Rojo.
The Dutch youngster is able to play at the centre-back position, full-back or even further forward as a central midfielder, Fosu-Mensah adheres to the Dutch traditions of being technically first-rate with the ball, as he has a fine footballing brain on his shoulders.
United U-21 boss Warren Joyce said:
“He is a footballer. If you’re looking for footballers, you’ve got to look at what their real strengths are. He played at the back for us and, in the first game against Salford, he was arguably at fault with their three goals.
He could stay there as he’s played there and in holding midfield for his country, the Netherlands, but you have to look at his strengths and what else he can offer the team.
We’ve got to hone his strengths as well so he ultimately he can be selected for the first team.”
Timothy is just another Marcus Rashford who hasn’t showed his best on a significant occasion yet. He needs more development in a specific position where he can emerge as an upcoming star and become a real asset to the club.
Centre-Back seems to be the best position for the youngster. He doesn’t see his future at the right-back, so that’s one out of the equation. His physicality will in one way or the other force him to play as the centre-back. He’s 6’3 and stronger than most of the lads, being only 18 years of age.
His tekkers are on point, and Fosu-Mensah is the kind of player who will give his best at whatever position the manager asks him to play. With Phil Jones is looking likely to leave, Jose would need more centre-backs as the club is running short on them, all of a sudden.
