Manchester United have experienced a new power horse at their back. After a shaky performance by Marcus Rojo last night against Everton, Louis van Gaal had to take him off and it was the time for the young Fosu-Mensah to show what he is capable of. Darmain was sent to the left flank and this young Dutchman was at the right. Mensah wasted no time on the pitch and instantly put his mark on the game by assisting Anthony Martial who fired the ball into the back of the net.
But when Blind was taken off, Valencia was introduced and eventually Mensah was positioned at Centre Back alongside Chris Smalling. Well, the player made his professional debut for United by replacing Rojo at Left Back and played in the position for the rest of the game.
Considering all the above points, we can surely say that Manchester United might not need a new Centre Back. Mensah is capable of playing in every defensive positions and not just that, he played as a defensive midfielder while playing for Manchester United’s youth teams. He even played as a central midfielder in the academy. .
Due to the injuries of senior players and Rojo’s poor performance this season, the young boy had his chance and he showed how tough he is to beat. Rojo was unable to grasp the pace of Gerard Deulofeu but Mensah gave a solid competition to the Spanish Winger.
Fosu-Mensah might be a long term solution for the shaky Manchester United’s defence. He had a vigorous test against Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku, but he handled them in style. Van Gaal, this time, made a tactical switch which would be praised by the fans. He took Michael Carrick off in place of Ander Herrera and as Blind was losing his every physical battle against the Belgian, he decided to give the youngster a key role in front of the goal knowing that the boy would be a tough contender to beat.
He has made just 4 appearances for the club and has already played in three positions i.e Left Back, Right Back, Centre Back. The way he performed in all his matches, it seems like he is the missing jigsaw in the Manchester United’s puzzle.
Being a Dutch Blood, the player has some excellent technical abilities. He has a great vision, can provide some deadly through balls that could work for the team in many cases. He has got pace and the attitude that could surely make him a leader at any club.
United U21 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 is very composed with the ball at his feet. He has a strong muscular built that could well be used against the strikers like Romelu Lukaku and Diego Costa. He also possesses the ability of being and an excellent passer of the ball.
Just 18 years of age and the player has got the ability to play many different roles. These are the basic instinct of a true leader which he will be some day. Hopefully, in three to five years United will still have a manager who would love to give the youth their chance.