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Mourinho does not have the greatest of records when it comes to developing talents, so when Manchester United appointed the Portuguese as their manager in 2016, there was an inherent risk involved. The man they had selected nurtured ideologies which were in stark contrast with the club's century-old philosophy, however, the hour had an air of emergency lingering and Mourinho's track record regarding trophies was too enticing to a club deprived of silverware.
Yet, as Mourinho continues to struggle in his third season, United will wonder if the heavy price that has been paid will be worth it. Manchester United have not developed in leaps and bounds in these three seasons, and on the other hand, some might even say that the Red Devils have failed to live up to their youth policy. Mourinho's reluctance to put his faith in the youngsters at his disposal has cost United in more ways than one and this alone could be the reason that United go on to lose a few gifted young players from their ranks.
Today we take a look at the 5 talented youngsters that Manchester United risk losing in the next few months. While all of them are fairly talented, they also have the potential in them to become even better in the near future, and as such, United risk losing stars of tomorrow by indulging in the charms of today. Read on to find out the 5 young players who could leave Old Trafford by the end of this seaon.
#5 Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial's indifferent season with Manchester United last year arguably caused him to miss out on a World Cup Winner's medal. Over the summer, there were a lot of speculations regarding his and Mourinho's relationship, but to the player's credit, Martial did not speak a word against his manager, even though he was publicly rebuked for wanting to stay with his partner during the birth of his child.
Mourinho's decision to buy Sanchez had already hurt Martial last season, but the Chilean's continued poor performances meant that the Frenchman got the nod in his preferred position in the right. And Martial showed just how good he could be if he had his manager's trust.
The Frenchman scored his first goal of the season in the Champions League, away against Old Boys. He took time to make his mark in the Premier League and scored his first in the fantastic 3-2 win over Newcastle United. Since then, Martial has scored 6 goals in 5 games in the Premier League for United, the first time he has scored in 5 games in his United career. He is United's top scorer so far this season, with 7 goals in 14 games.
While his relationship with Mourinho seems to have improved, Martial will be worried that the Portuguese might not be the right person for his talent to blossom under, especially since he will be competing against the likes of Mbappe for a place in the first team for France. The Sun is now reporting that United are set to offer Martial a bumper new deal and that the Frenchman is willing to stay, but we might not have seen the last of this yet.
#4 Timothy Fosu-Mensah
The Dutch youngster broke into the Manchester United team during Louis van Gaal's reign, and also made 11 appearances for the Red Devils under Mourinho. Last season, he was sent out on loan to Premier League side Crystal Palace, and he appeared 24 times for the Eagles. This season, he is at loan to Fulham and already has 8 appearances under his belt.
Fosu-Mensah can play as a Right Back, Center Back and even defensive midfielder. Last season, he played approximately 15 games as a right back and 9 games as a centre back for Palace. This season, he has started exclusively as the right back at Fulham. However, Fosu-Mensah has not developed as well as he should have, because he has been playing at teams where his abilities and qualities are not used properly.
United are currently short of cover at both right back and defensive midfield and as such, it is surprising that Mourinho has not called Fosu-Mensah back from his loan spell. The Dutch defender could eventually get frustrated at his lack of chances at United and finally move on come the end of the season.
#3 Marcus Rashford
Perhaps the youngster who has suffered the most under Jose Mourinho has been Marcus Rashford. When he first broke into the team, Rashford was a phenomenal talent and was certainly destined for great things. One cannot help but wonder that had he blossomed under Sir Alex, Rashford would have been as phenomenal as Mbappe. Unfortunately, Rashford has gone backwards in his development.
The youngster has shown a severe lack of confidence recently and has lost his identity under Mourinho. In a fit to defend and track back, Rashford seems to have misplaced his attacking instincts and the results are alarming. Last season, he scored just 13 goals from 52 games; he made the starting eleven in only 26 of those games. This season, Rashford has started 8 games, and has 2 goals from 13 games, yet both his goals were scored coming off the bench.
At United this season, Rashford has been ineffective as the main striker, he has been ineffective on the right side as well. He has played 6 games as a Central Striker, 4 through the right and 3 from the left so far. The way that Mourinho sets up the team hinders his abilities and Rashford will be worried about his development under the Portuguese. However, whenever he puts on the England shirt, he looks a completely different player, because of the freedom he is afforded with his national team. He is held in high regards by both Sir Alex and Pep Guardiola, so unless Mourinho lets him play his natural game, Rashford could leave in search of greener pastures in the summer. And he would find many suitors too.
#2 Eric Bailly
While he is not technically a youngster anymore, Bailly is still only 24 and as such, deserves to be in this list. Mourinho signed him within a fortnight of joining United in the summer of 2016 and Bailly was rock solid for the Red Devils in his first season and then things fell out of place. It started last season, with an ankle injury and bruise that meant that he missed 26 games for United.
When he did return to full fitness, he found it tough to break into the team. This season, a combined loss of form and deteriorating relationship with his manager are among the many reasons which has seen him start just 5 games so far. He has not even made the squad in the last 3 games, which shows that the Ivorian's time at Old Trafford is all but over.
At a stage when United are going through a defensive meltdown, Bailly's assurance and strength should have been comforting. Instead, Mourinho seems to have lost every faith in him and has almost ushered him out the door. The Ivorian could even move on in January, with The Daily Mail reporting that Arsenal, PSG and Tottenham are all interested in the Centerback. Even if he does not exit in the winter, only a miracle can stop Bailly from leaving United in the summer next year.
#1 Andreas Pereira
The Brazilian was in outstanding form in pre-season, but has found it hard to break into the team in the new season. Pereira has made just two starts so far this season and has played just 170 minutes of football for Manchester United.
He started the first game of the new season as the deep lying playmaker and was fabulous in the role, as United sealed a victory against Leicester. He made the starting eleven again in the next game, against Brighton, but was hauled off at the break, as United lost the game to a spirited Brighton side.
While Pereira did not have an impact in the game, holding him culpable for the loss and denying him another start in the season has been a wrong move, especially with the loss of form of Matic. The Serbian has been consistently poor this season and as such, Mourinho could have used Pereira a couple of time to boost the Brazilian's confidence and also to give the team a different approach.
It was Mourinho who had convince Pereira to not leave on loan again before the start of the season, however, the Portuguese has not lived up to his words and as such, Manchester United could lose another phenomenal talent by the end of this season. The Sun reports that the Brazilian is frustrated at the lack of opportunities at Old Trafford and might leave in search of regular football. If it happens, it will be a big blow to United's youth policy.
