Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that Timothy Fousu-Mensah can return to Manchester United, with Aston Villa reportedly showing interest.
Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that loan signing Timothy Fosu-Mensah can go back to Manchester United.
The Daily Mail claimed on Thursday that Fosu-Mensah is an option for Villa as Premier League relegation strugglers Fulham considered sending him back to his parent club.
Now, Ranieri has confirmed, on Friday ahead of a busy FA Cup fixture list, that the 21-year-old can go back to Old Trafford because ‘he needs to play’.
“If Manchester United want him he can go because with me he hasn’t played often and I understand he is young and he needs to play,” said Ranieri, as quoted by Sky Sports.
The comments from the former Premier League winning manager has surely opened the door for Villa to add him to their Championship squad for the remainder of the campaign.
Dutch international Fosu-Mensah can play in a number of positions, including right-back, centre-back and in front of the back four as a number 6 – the latter would particularly interest Villa supporters.
Dean Smith desperately needs defensive options in his backline as his team struggle with form and injuries – Villa have conceded 40 goals this season.
As Fosu-Mensah is heading back to Manchester, Villa would be daft not to look beyond the United player as just ‘an option’ because he could play as a number 6.
The Dutchman is very comfortable on the ball, understands the defensive side of the game and can be one of a number of players that can provide Smith with the balance he craves so much this month.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
