Over the years, José Mourinho has developed a reputation for hating young people on a par with the likes of Miss Trunchbull, Professor Umbridge or the British tabloid press.
Countless academy products have flourished elsewhere after feeling as though they weren’t given a chance by the Portuguese, forcing him to (well we say ‘forcing’, he probably didn’t need to) put a dubious figure on the number of youngsters to whom he has given a debut.
That number went up from [probably inaccurate figure] to [probably inaccurate figure plus one] last weekend when Axel Tuanzebe was handed his United debut in the FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic.
And the Congolese-born defender, who has represented England at Under-19 level, has been rewarded for his breakthrough with a new contract.
“To make my debut at Old Trafford in the FA Cup was a very proud moment, both for me and for my family,” Tuanzebe said.
“Axel is a young player with great potential,” Mourinho said of the 19-year-old.
“We brought him up to the first team to give him more experience and he has adapted really well.”
Tuanzebe wasn’t the only youngster to make his United bow against Wigan. Goalkeeper Joel Castro Pereira, the Swiss-born Portugal Under-20 international, replaced Sergio Romero for his first senior appearance for the Red Devils.
