Manchester United: Jose Mourinho Happy with United’s Youngsters

SWANSEA, WALES - OCTOBER 24: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium on October 24, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES - OCTOBER 24: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium on October 24, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is pleased with the performance of his youngsters against Swansea FC in Carabao Cup.

SWANSEA, WALES – OCTOBER 24: Nemanja Matic (l) Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku of United in the defensive wall during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium on October 24, 2017, in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – OCTOBER 24: Nemanja Matic (l) Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku of United in the defensive wall during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium on October 24, 2017, in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho gave youngsters Axel Tuanzebe and Scott McTominay a rare start in the Carabao Sup on Tuesday.

Both 19-year-old defender Tuanzebe and 20-year-old midfielder McTominay were given their first starts of the season against a strong Swansea team.

“The kids are always the kids,” said the manager on MUTV. “When they play, it’s nice and it’s good. When they perform well, it’s even better. I think they both had good performances.

Tuanzebe was on the left of a three-man Defence. Mourinho told MUTV that this was designed to give recent signing Victor Lindelof more confidence after the weekend’s display.

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McTominay started alongside Ander Herrera in central midfield and did not look out-of-place alongside his more seasoned teammate.

Mourinho

The youngster who has been with the club since he was five years old was given special praise by Mourinho.

“I would say especially Scott’ he told MUTV ‘ as he had a big influence in the game in a crucial area. He was very comfortable and strong in midfield. I tried to give Axel good protection. I think Axel started a little bit shaky but he got stability and had a good performance.”

McTominay recently signed a new contract with Manchester United securing his services until 2021.

Next: Manchester United: Poor performances linked to midfield

The Next Round – Quarter Finals

United have a long history of using the League Cup to give younger players experience. Despite fans initial concern about Mourinho’s track record of giving youth a chance, he seems to have continued the tradition.

The next game in the cup will be a visit to Ashton Gate on Tuesday 19th December (Date subject to change). Bristol City currently occupy 7th position in the English Championship having lost their last game against Leeds United 3-0.

As it stands the game is sandwiched between tricky away fixtures at West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City. When these are taken into consideration it’s highly likely that both youngsters will be involved.

Big things are expected of both players and given the current injury crisis at Old Trafford more could be seen of them very soon.