What happened to Man Utd team including five debutants from Rooney’s last game
Every now and then, Jose Mourinho tends to distance himself from the win-at-all-costs mantra he holds so dearly.
On May 21, 2017, the Portuguese tactician — then in charge of Manchester United — decided to use Wayne Rooney’s farewell match as an opportunity for the youth to show their talents.
With Man United unable to improve on sixth place in the Premier League and a Europa League final to prepare for, Mourinho opted to shake things up by fielding a youthful team.
The Portuguese handed debuts to four youngsters — Joel Pereira, Demetri Mitchell, Scott McTominay and Josh Harrop — as Mourinho named United’s youngest line-up in Premier League history, with an average age of 22 years and 284 days.
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Despite facing a strong Crystal Palace side at Old Trafford, the hosts eased to a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Harrop and Paul Pogba inside the first 20 minutes.
Mourinho also brought on Angel Gomes, then aged 16 years and 263 days, for Rooney late on to become the club’s youngest-ever player.
Four years on, Star Sport looks at where the United players of that day are now…
GK: Joel Pereira
Pereira was handed his debut in goal by Mourinho after coming through the ranks as Man United’s development squad goalkeeper.
The Portuguese enjoyed a solid game in between the sticks, keeping a clean sheet against the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke.
Now 25, Pereira is still contracted to the Red Devils and had spent the season on loan at Huddersfield — his sixth temporary spell away from Old Trafford.
RB: Timothy Fosu-Mensah
The Dutchman was handed a rare outing at full-back with Antonio Valencia given a rest.
Once earmarked as a huge talent, Fosu-Mensah made his debut for the club aged 18. But his career has sadly been plagued by injury at key moments, most notably suffering a knee injury in April 2019.
He left United in January this year to embark on a new challenge with Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
CB: Eric Bailly
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The Ivory Coast international was one of the more senior players selected for the fixture as he made his 25th league appearance of the season, more than double has managed in any season since.
Like Fosu-Mensah, Bailly has often been sidelined with injury, making only 40 more appearances across the last four seasons.
But he remains a trusted member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad and the 27-year-old agreed terms on a new contract in May this year, which extended his deal until 2024.
CB: Phil Jones
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Very much a forgotten figure at Old Trafford these days, Jones lined up alongside Bailly at the heart of the United defence.
Despite signing a four-year contract back in 2019, the former Blackburn man hasn’t made a single appearance for the Red Devils this season.
Jones has struggled with knee problems which have blighted the prime years of his career and as he approaches the 10-year milestone with the club, Solskjaer will be hoping he can return to fitness not before too long.
LB: Demetri Mitchell
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One of four players to make their United bow in the game, Mitchell would have savoured his first senior appearance wearing the shirt of his boyhood club.
Alas, it would be his only appearance too as he was farmed out on loan to Hearts in 2018.
After spending two seasons on loan with the Scottish outfit, Mitchell, now 24, plies his trade for League One play-off outfit Blackpool.
DM: Axel Tuanzebe
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Earlier in the season Tuanzebe had made his long-awaited debut after emerging as a bright prospect from the club’s academy.
He spent 18 months on loan with Aston Villa before returning to his parent club in 2019.
Since then, Tuanzebe has appeared 27 times under Solskjaer and the 23-year-old is under contract until next summer.
CM: Paul Pogba
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A player who needs no introduction, Pogba remains a crucial member of United’s squad despite flirting with an exit since his £89m move from Juventus five years ago.
He was instrumental in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, setting up Josh Harrop for the opener and grabbing a goal for himself four minutes later.
The club’s record signing has experienced a mixed period owing to injuries and falling out with former boss Mourinho. But the French playmaker has turned the corner with Solskjaer, appearing in 40 games this season for the Premier League giants.
CM: Scott McTominay
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It is remarkable to think that McTominay was one of the five players handed their full debut considering what he has achieved since.
The towering midfielder made his first start alongside Pogba and Tuanzebe in midfield and shone for Mourinho, forcing his way into the side the following season.
Now 24, McTominay is regarded as a key player for Scotland and a regular figure in Solskjaer’s midfield three, scoring 14 goals in 132 games for his hometown club.
RW: Jesse Lingard
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After several loan spells away from the club, Lingard grabbed his chance in the first-team with both hands and became a regular under Mourinho until 2018.
But after seeing his opportunities limited under Solskjaer, he opted to join West Ham on loan.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed something a purple patch in east London with nine goals in 14 appearances — and it seems his future lies away from Manchester.
ST: Wayne Rooney
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This day will live long in the memory for Rooney, who was making his final league appearance at Old Trafford after 253 goals in 13 seasons at the club.
The club’s all-time top goalscorer was given a fond farewell in front of the home supporters before heading back to Everton, DC United and finally Derby.
The 35-year-old hung up his boots earlier this season and is now in charge of Derby, steering the Rams away from relegation from the Championship on the final day of the season.
LW: Josh Harrop
Call him a one-goal wonder and Harrop will likely be quite chuffed with such a tag after scoring on his Manchester United debut.
The Stockport-born forward struck a brilliant effort into the bottom corner and was full of praise for Mourinho for giving him an opportunity to showcase his ability.
”It was an amazing afternoon,” he said.
“I have dreamed of that moment so many times so I cannot believe it came true. I have to thank Mourinho for giving me the opportunity to play.”
Harrop left the club that summer on a free transfer to join Preston and was last seen this season on loan with Ipswich Town in League One.
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