Fosu-Mensah Compares Ajax To United

Tim Fosu-Mensah has travelled to Stockholm with the Manchester United squad ahead of the UEFA Europa League final against his former club AFC Ajax.

In a recent interview, he discussed his upbringing at the Amsterdam club and the comparison between his schooling there and as part of United's Academy. With his brother Paul still at Ajax, he was able to provide some unique insight and revealed one change to his usual routine that he found difficult to handle. 

What was it like growing up at Ajax's fabled Academy?
It was very good. Very, very good. I enjoyed every day at Ajax. I was there for nine years and I grew up there. I came as a kid and they helped me. They treated me well all the time and I played with very good players like Abdel El Hasnaoui, Stan van Bladeren, Donny van de Beek and Riechedly Bazoer. Even with a couple of players in first team now such as Kenny Tete and Anwar El Ghazi. We all played together. It helped me. The coaches helped me. I had Orlando Trustfull, Frank Peereboom and Michel Kreek, who joined Inter, all very good coaches who helped me develop as a player. Then United came along when I was 16. Manchester United is, for me, one of, if not the, biggest clubs in the world so it was hard but, at the same time, an easy decision. I wanted a new adventure.

Has that ethos and spirit instilled at Ajax remained with you?
Yes, it’s still in me. Definitely. The way they play – as promoted by Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff, is in the DNA of the whole club. You need to play in multiple positions and must have a good understanding of the game. So I think you have this very good schooling at Ajax.

You mentioned the number of players you were with who have come through. Providing opportunities for youngsters is a hot topic in England – is there a similar debate in Holland?
No. In Holland, it’s important for a club like Ajax to get the youth players through into the first team. It’s important because it’s the way it has always been and it’s almost the brand, or face, of the club. It’s all about youth players. The Academy complex of the club is called the Toekomst and that means the future. So, for all the players there, it’s the destiny to make it into the first team. I think, as I’ve said before, I love Ajax with my heart, I’ll always love Ajax, and I’m happy I have been a part of this great club.

Are they proud of what you’ve achieved already at United?
I’ve got contact with the players and coaches and they are very happy for me. My little brother is still there [Paul] – he is with the Under-16s.

Do you ever offer him any advice?
Yeah, sometimes when he has problems, he speaks with me but it’s more a case of it’s his career and it’s my career. He needs to develop in his own way. I develop in my own way because I’m still young. I’m only 19 and still have a lot to learn. Everyone develops in his own way.

Did you ever talk to the English guys about what it was like in the United Academy compared to being at Ajax?
Yes, when I came here, I was in the Under-18s with Axel [Tuanzebe], Marcus [Rashford], Cameron [Borthwick-Jackson]. So they spoke to me and the differences were very big. With Ajax, you were allowed to wear adidas boots, pants and gloves. When I came here with Paul McGuinness and Joycey [Warren Joyce], I wasn’t allowed that and had to just wear black boots. I was not allowed to wear pants or gloves. You can ask Joycey and ask Paul! In the beginning, I had a lot of problems with that because I was not used to it. But I cannot thank them enough. They made me mentally very strong. I spoke with Andreas [Pereira] as he also came from a club in Holland, PSV Eindhoven, and had the same situation. It was the same so he told me: ‘Just listen, keep your head down and work hard’. I spoke with Joycey and Paul a lot and they helped me. Paul felt it’s important for the players to know the history of the club so, in the classroom, we watched videos of the Busby Babes. It’s important to know the history of this great club. 

Can you understand why there is this debate in England about making sure we continue to produce youngsters to come through?
I know why, it’s because obviously, when you bring homegrown players through, it’s a beautiful thing. You know you brought them up and you can tell with Manchester United’s fans, they love the homegrown players, they really love it. It’s like it’s their own child. So that’s why I truly love the United fans with my whole heart because I think they’re great fans. In England, the football is bigger than in Holland so, sometimes, it’s difficult for young players to get this time to adapt. Sometimes, that time is not there. I am happy as I got a chance last year and did well so now I try to progress and develop. But it is always good to have homegrown players in the squad.