Manchester United's Ajax old boy Timothy Fosu-Mensah relishing 'extra special' Europa League final
The 19-year-old Manchester United defender was born in Amsterdam and left Ajax's academy to join United's five years ago
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.For Timothy Fosu-Mensah this Wednesday's Europa League final will be, in his words, "extra special".
The 19-year-old Manchester United defender was born in Amsterdam and left Ajax's academy to join United's five years ago and when his former side face off against his current one in Stockholm he is hoping to be part of it.
"I feel good," he says after being sidelined for six matches with a shoulder injury before returning in the Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Sunday. "The staff, the doctors, the physios, the assistants, the manager, everybody helped me to get back.
"I'm happy I got 90 minutes (against Palace) and I thank the manager for giving me that. I felt good and I didn't have any problems. It's my old team (on Wednesday). And it's a nice game, a Europa League final.
"It's a big game, and as a football player you want to be involved in big games like this and that's what my focus is on. I played there for eight years so it's definitely extra special. I know a couple of players and I speak to them. We have spoken, but not about the game."
After making his senior debut for United in 2015/16 under Louis van Gaal, Fosu-Mensah has played 11 times this season under Mourinho to take him to a total of 21 appearances so far.
The Holland Under-21 international said: "I'm still young and I'm still learning a lot. Every day the players are speaking to me - Michael (Carrick), Ash (Ashley Young), Wayne (Rooney) - the more senior players, they speak to me and they're helping me.
"It's been a good learning season for me and I've learnt a lot. And every day I have a little chat (with Mourinho)."
Winning the Europa League would give United a place in the Champions League for next season, and Fosu-Mensah added: "This is Manchester United and it's a big club. We play for trophies. We have to win this trophy and it's important for next season to be in the Champions League. It all comes from one place and the only answer for this is winning. It's simple."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments