Fosu-Mensah: Mourinho texts and calls to check on me
Timothy Fosu-Mensah has revealed that Manchester United boss José Mourinho regularly calls and texts to check on his progress while he is out on loan at Crystal Palace.
The 19-year-old was sent out on loan to the Eagles for the season this month and has started in both of their defeats to promoted Huddersfield Town and Liverpool.
However, the versatile Dutchman has told the Daily Mail that Mourinho has taken on a hands-on approach with his development at Selhurst Park, with assistant manager Rui Faria also contacting him on occasion.
He said:
He’s been texting but sometimes he rings. Sometimes it is the assistant too. It’s definitely good to have that contact because I’m still under contract there.
He’s told me to just keep focusing on my game. We spoke and both came to the agreement that this is the best move for my development. He’s said that we should keep talking to each other.
Fosu-Mensah has started both games on the right-hand side of a three-man central defence but is also to be expected to be played out wide. He believes that this loan spell, under the tutelage of former Ajax boss Frank de Boer, will be an invaluable experience.
If you don’t look at the results then it’s been a good first few weeks. I’ve been learning a lot. I’m fine playing wherever the manager wants me to. I’ve played centre back when I was younger, I know how to play in that role.
It is important for me to get games now. I’m 19, almost 20. I need to keep playing and learn a lot, to keep improving.