Timothy Fosu-Mensah

[Sméagol]

I will follow Caaj's advice and create Big Tim's own thread. I think he deserves it



The Steller Group, who look after Timothy Fosu-Mensah have confirmed that the Ghanaian national team are pursuing their client.


The young defender has made a huge impression for Manchester United in recent weeks and that has sparked a tug of war between the Netherlands and Ghana.

Fosu Mensah, who was born in Amsterdam but from Ghanaian parents, has represented Netherlands up to U19 level, but can still opt to switch his allegiances to Ghana. Reports this week indicated that Ghana boss Avram Grant is to get in contact with the 18-year-old, and his agency have confirmed the news to Dutch newspaper AD.

A spokesperson for Steller Group said, We have indeed been called, Ghana wants to persuade him to that country, ”

The news will no doubt spark Netherlands boss Danny Blind, who lost both Oussama Tannane and Hakim Ziyech to Morocco recently, into action and it seems certain that Fosu-Mensah’s name will be included next month in the Dutch squad for friendlies with Poland, Republic of Ireland and Austria.

www.football-oranje.com/fosu-mensahs-agency-confirms-ghana-interest/#.Vw_ta7tnqV4.twitter

[CaajScot]

| FAN NEWS & BLOGS





15/04/2016 09:30, Report by Mark Froggatt

OPINION: FIVE REASONS WE LOVE FOSU-MENSAH

With a neat stepover and a ruthless finish, Marcus Rashford stole the headlines with his superb opening goal for Manchester United at Upton Park, yet the performance of his friend Tim Fosu-Mensah was equally deserving of praise following another typically powerful display.

Here, ManUtd.com's Mark Froggatt highlights five reasons why United fans have taken to the young Dutchman at this early stage of his Reds career…

1: ONE OF OUR OWN
An unquestionable highlight of this season has been the ascension of young players and Fosu-Mensah became the eighth youth product to make a senior debut in 2015/16, when he stepped off the bench against Arsenal on 28 February. Yes, he arrived from Ajax as a 16-year-old in September 2014, but he then spent 18 months working hard at the Aon Training Complex and MUTV viewers will no doubt have taken note of his industrious performances for the Under-18s and Under-21s. As is the case with every United youngster, his graduation into the seniors was embraced with open arms.

2: FIRST TEAM? NO PROBLEM!
Much has been made of the difference between Under-21 and senior football in recent years, with some suggesting the step up can be too strenuous in terms of physicality and pressure, yet Fosu-Mensah is making a mockery of that debate judging by his seven performances so far. The Amsterdam-born talent has handled the transition with admirable maturity and already looks like a valued member of the squad. It helps that he is physically developed and strong enough to fend off much-older opponents, of course, yet his composure and poise has been just as beneficial. The early signs are promising.

3: MR. VERSATILE
Fosu-Mensah made his debut against Arsenal at left-back following an injury to Marcos Rojo and then played at centre-back during his second outing, in the 1-0 win over Watford at Old Trafford. He’s since impressed at right-back in the recent matches at Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham to emphasise his invaluable versatility. But his repertoire does not end there, given that he started out as a striker for Ajax’s Under-18s and even played as a no.10 for United’s Under-21s last summer. A deeper role in central midfield may yet become his best position and fans wait with interest.

4: HE LOVES A TACKLE
There are lots of moments that excite football fans, like expert finishes and exquisite passes, or mind-boggling first touches, yet the sight of a thunderous sliding tackle is up there with the best. Fosu-Mensah has cornered the market in his seven outings so far following a series of perfectly-timed challenges against the likes of Watford’s Odion Ighalo and Tottenham’s Dele Alli, prompting fans on Twitter to suggest the moniker Tim Fosu-Immensah. There's also talk of a drinking game in which you take a slurp whenever the Dutchman wins the ball – a game that should carry a health warning, judging by his current form.

5: AGE ON HIS SIDE
As an 18-year-old who does not turn 19 until January, Fosu-Mensah has his whole career ahead of him and his education at Old Trafford has only just begun. There will be challenges ahead and with youth comes inconsistency, but the early signs suggest Tim has a bright future with the Reds.

Thankfully, he has a level head on those broad shoulders and he spoke with admirable wisdom in a recent interview with ManUtd.com. “Obviously, I will keep working hard. As a young player, you have to do that and keep listening to all the advice from the manager and coaches, especially if you want to play more games. When the chance comes, you have to play well and make the most of it.”

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be considered as representative of Manchester United Football Club.

www.manutd.com/en/Fanzone/News-And-Blogs/2016/Apr/Five-reasons-why-Manchester-United-fans-love-Tim-Fosu-Mensah.aspx

[juanveron]

I just hope he is on a long-term contract.. The kid is a magnificent talent.

[CaajScot]

[grandpaTJ]

Complete player is United's Tim FM, how good will he be in 3 or 4 years?? The lad is still growing
]

[CaajScot]

| FOOTBALL NEWS

17/04/2016 09:30, Report by Adam Marshall

WHAT IS FOSU-MENSAH'S BEST POSITION

Many fans have been pondering where Tim Fosu-Mensah's future lies on the field after his superb introduction to first-team life at Manchester United.

The 18-year-old is very much the kind of "multi-functional" player so admired by Louis van Gaal after initially starting out as a schoolboy striker. Originally signed as a centre-back from Ajax, he also looked adept in a holding midfield slot for the Under-18s.

Reserves coach Warren Joyce tried him out in a no.10 role in pre-season but he produced some stunning performances at full-back for the Under-21s, before making his senior debut on the left hand side of defence as a substitute for Marcos Rojo during the 3-2 triumph over Arsenal.

A maiden first-team start at centre-back against Watford followed but he has since earned plaudits for his work in both full-back positions, including when performing on opposite flanks during the course of the Emirates FA Cup success at West Ham United in midweek.

Some feel the teenager could develop into a box-to-box midfielder due to his physique and stamina, and he admits the question about his best position in the future is a hard one to answer, particularly as he is simply enjoying his breakthrough at the moment.

"It’s a difficult question," Fosu-Mensah told ManUtd.com. "I think I’ll just be keeping my options open. Centre-back or midfield, I think that is the most chance. However, as I’ve said before, wherever the manager wants me, I will play there.

"I had the pre-season with the Under-21s. Warren Joyce helped me very much, particularly in the aspects I was not so good at. He helped me on it and tried to make me a better player. I’m happy he has been able to do that. I played no.10 in pre-season and scored a goal from there as well so I was very happy!

"I think that experience helped me. As an attacking midfielder, you come into positions where you have to think and think as an attacking player as well. When you go back to being a defender, it helps you think how attackers think – about where they’re moving to and what they have to do before they receive the ball. So it definitely helps your game when you play in other positions.

"I think, when you’re young, it’s important you can play in as many positions as you can so, wherever the manager wants you to play, you have more experience in every role."

Van Gaal was asked by MUTV on Friday for his prediction as to which position will best suit Fosu-Mensah as the youngster looks to cement his place in the first-team squad.

"That’s difficult to say because it is also the vacancy in the team, where we need a player the most," said the boss. "You have seen this season that a lot of players have played in the full-back position because we have a lot of injuries in that position.

"So you cannot cope with it and then you give players a chance to show their abilities. Fosu-Mensah has played in the Netherlands in the youth systems at centre-back and also in midfield. I made him play at left and right full-back because he has the qualities to play there.

"Until now, he has shown his qualities, so I am very happy for him but, normally, players shall be seen everywhere with their position that they have played in youth. But it’s not like that, it’s about vacancies in positions."

www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2016/Apr/What-is-tim-fosu-mensah-best-position-at-manchester-united.aspx

[grandpaTJ]

LvG still taking credit for the development of youngsters that are currently kicking some serious tookus for the first team.
Bout the only way he deserves any credit would be for the injuries that have led to playing them.

Like very much that Tim FM gives Warren Joyce a credit for his improvement, and there is little doubt that LvG consulted with
Coach Joyce before moving any of the youngsters to first team.

For me, it isn't just their skills that impresses, it is their composure, and their football smarts that I find way above what
would normally be expected of players in their age bracket. Tim FM, and his U-21 mates play with their heads up, and they play with
a composure that belies their age.

I've said it before, IMO Warren Joyce would make an outstanding manager for United. He is obviously a very excellent man
manager, and I think that is what United sorely needs after the confidence breakdown of dealing with Moyes and then
the Dutch Disaster.

[CaajScot]

| FOOTBALL NEWS


25/04/2016 15:00, Report by Gemma Thompson

FOSU-MENSAH LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE

Tim Fosu-Mensah says it was a "special" experience to play his part in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final win over Everton at Wembley.

Of course, the day could have ended differently for the defender and the Reds when Fosu-Mensah was adjudged to have fouled Ross Barkley in the area which led to a Toffees penalty. David De Gea's spot-kick save delighted everyone in a red shirt, none more so than Fosu-Mensah who once again showed his quality.

The man himself was still buzzing when he spoke to ManUtd.com after the match and says he hopes he can build on what has been a very pleasing couple of months for him since breaking into the first team.

"It was special. It's a great stadium and great atmosphere. It was very special to play in this stadium," he beamed when asked to sum up the semi-final.

"It's been an exciting few weeks but I still have to learn a lot of things and that's what I'm trying to do. Keep learning, keep improving and try to develop as a player and train hard every day."

Fosu-Mensah has recently contributed to helping the Reds go top of the clean sheets table in the league and he saluted the impressive defensive pairing of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind, plus the consistently fantastic form of De Gea as being key to the achievement.

"Chris and Daley communicate so well with me. Everyone in the defence is great, of course David as well. He's a top goalkeeper and he saved us again on Saturday," he added. "You can see the partnership between Daley and Chris and how they express themselves, they're a great pair.

"I'm enjoying playing full-back but I'm happy to play anywhere the manager wants to put me. I just do my best and try my hardest."

Jesse Lingard spoke before the semi-final about the fearlessness he, Fosu-Mensah, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have all played with this term. His team-mate concurs, but adds that the support from the experienced members of the squad has been invaluable.

"It's about confidence but I think we all try to do what we always do and just play our football," he continues. "We work hard, I work hard and I want to learn a lot. I'm open to learning a lot. I do my best and listen to the coaches and the senior players like Wayne, Carras, Chris and Daley. I listen to them all and try to do something with it.

"The senior players just help me with what I have to do on the pitch, where I have to stand sometimes and other things. It helps me a lot."

The Dutch defender's all-action displays have thrilled the United fans and, while he says it's a great feeling to see the supporters' reaction, he insists there is plenty more to come.

"I'm very delighted [to see the fans' reaction] but, as I said, I have to keep working hard," he insisted. "I just try to keep my head cool and try to do what I always do when I play and focus on playing my game."


www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2016/Apr/tim-fosu-mensah-hails-special-day-at-wembley-as-united-reach-fa-cup-final.aspx

[Kokka78]

Fosu and Rashford are the highlight of the season for United in terms of players. I am not a LvG fan at all, but to see Rashford and Fosu being a constant week in week out, is marvellous to watch and kinda reassuring for the next future. I hope that whoever comes next as United manager will still play these two regularly.

[Deez]

Would really like to see a partnership of Fosu - Schneiderlin in the middle of the park before the season's over

[Sméagol]

[viking22]

I think it is premature to call Timmy a constant. With a settled Blind-Smalling centre back partnership his main hope of games is as a right back and ever since Valencia returned from injury he's been out of the team just as Cameron B-J gave way to Rojo when the latter returned from injury and will be even further behind in the pecking order when Shaw returns from injury. The only reason Rashford did not similarly give way to Rooney is that his goals were too difficult to ignore. But you can bet that if Rashford goes through a dry spell LVG will reinstate Rooney as his number 9. That is if LVG is still around next season.

[Deleted]

May 6, 2016 15:20:34 GMT Sméagol said:

Cue VG noshing himself off, despite hooking him for one perceived mistake 2 seconds after it was made and subsequently replacing him with a failed winger.

[CaajScot]

[Sméagol]