Amid an injury crisis, should Manchester United give Timothy Fosu-Mensah a chance in midfield?
Manchester United’s Timothy Fosu Mensah
A year ago Manchester United youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah was making his breakthrough at the club, with Louis van Gaal a big fan of the Dutchman.
The teenager filled in impressively at full-back, but has found opportunities limited this season thanks to the form of Antonio Valencia.
Fosu-Mensah remains on Jose Mourinho’s radar, but has found starting opportunities tough to come by, with just three league starts in all competitions and none in the Premier League.
Now could be the perfect time for that to change.
Manchester United have a midfield selection dilemma ahead of this weekend, with Ander Herrera suspended, Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba nursing injuries, and Bastian Schweinsteiger sold.
Manchester United’s Timothy Fosu Mensah in action with Tottenham’s Danny Rose
It is overdue for Jose Mourinho to consider putting Fosu-Mensah in central midfield, arguably his best position.
He has played there briefly before for United, most recently as a late substitute in the win over Fenerbahce this season, and several times in the academy.
Seapking to the club website this week, Fosu-Mensah highlighted his ability to play in the position, commenting: “When I just came to United, some people said they’d seen a bit of similarity between me and Pogba when Paul first came here. Some people said I reminded them of him when I played in midfield.”
He added that he wanted to emulate Michael Carrick, a lofty ambition, but one he deserves a chance to accomplish.
Fosu-Mensah’s chances of playing time next season risk decreasing further if rumoured moves for Eric Dier or Tiemyoue Bakayoko come to fruition, and Mourinho would be wise to take a close look at him this campaign before throwing millions away.
This weekend against West Brom is the perfect time to give Fosu-Mensah a platform to show what he is capable of.
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