Young Reds Can Impress Mourinho On Tour

Jose Mourinho has named nine Academy graduates in his squad for Tour 2016, presented by Aon, and each of them will be determined to impress the new Manchester United manager in China. Here, in positional order, we profile the youngsters with a chance to catch his eye…

SAM JOHNSTONE | GOALKEEPER | AGED 23
The keeper is yet to make a competitive first-team appearance but has played on several pre-season tours. He started Saturday’s 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic and hopes to feature against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City, with internationals David De Gea and Sergio Romero yet to train under Mourinho.

TIM FOSU-MENSAH | DEFENDER | AGED 18
A versatile defender who can play in midfield, the impressively athletic Dutchman made 10 appearances last season and hopes to impress this campaign. He started at right-back against the Latics and will presumably battle Antonio Valencia for the position in China, with Matteo Darmian on holiday.

PADDY McNAIR | DEFENDER | AGED 21
The proud Northern Irishman, fresh from playing at Euro 2016, has 27 senior outings to his name following his breakthrough campaign in 2014/15. He can play at centre-back, full-back and as a holding midfielder – which may come in useful on tour, given how much the team is traditionally rotated.

AXEL TUANZEBE | DEFENDER | AGED 18
Mourinho has already praised the technically eye-catching defender and claimed he only needed “10 minutes” to identify his potential. The former Jimmy Murphy Player of the Year, who grew up in Rochdale and was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has previously been compared to Rio Ferdinand.

ANDREAS PEREIRA | MIDFIELDER | AGED 20
Our young Brazilian debuted at MK Dons in August 2014 but truly emerged last season when he made 11 appearances, scoring a superb free-kick against Ipswich Town. He also netted an excellent finish at the DW Stadium on Saturday and Mourinho praised his “incredible vision and technique”.

JESSE LINGARD | MIDFIELDER | AGED 23
This man needs no introduction following his extra-time goal that won United the FA Cup back in May. The local lad from Warrington became a first-team regular last term and has now played 41 games for his boyhood club – he’s determined to continue his ascent under Mourinho’s tutelage.

ADNAN JANUZAJ | MIDFIELDER | AGED 21
Although the Belgian is the most experienced of the nine Academy graduates, with 63 appearances, his progress slowed and he spent half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund. But now he’s back, physically bigger than ever and focused on fulfilling his immeasurable potential at United.

WILL KEANE | STRIKER | AGED 23
The promising young striker is clearly made of the right stuff, having recovered from two serious injuries in as many years to take his place in the travelling squad. He scored the opener at Wigan on Saturday in his first match for five months, and now has an opportunity to stake his claim for this season.

MARCUS RASHFORD | STRIKER | AGED 18
Mourinho has suggested the teen sensation will not play in China due to his involvement with England at Euro 2016, but he will train with the squad and learn from the manager. After scoring eight goals in 18 games last season, everybody is intrigued by what is around the corner for United’s emerging star.