Timothy Fosu-Mensah joins Crystal Palace on season-long loan

Manchester United youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan. After the move was first rumored last week, then all but confirmed when Fosu-Mensah was left out of the UEFA Super Cup squad, it has finally been made official today. Palace manager Frank de Boer knows Fosu-Mensah from their time together when the player was in Ajax’s academy, and has been a fan of his ability since then.

“Timothy is a player who has great pace and incredible physical ability. In today’s game you need players with strength and speed and he is an individual with that and as well as defence can also play in midfield.

“From knowing him at Ajax I can remember he was always playing in the team above for his age due to be physically very strong. His quality attracted a number of other clubs and I was very sad and disappointed when we lost him at a young age to go to Manchester United.”

Fosu-Mensah seems to be rated highly by José Mourinho, and was a member of the first team squad last season, but at this stage of his career, he would have little to benefit from another season of being on the fringes of the first team. Fosu-Mensah is too good for reserve football, but would not get enough appearances as Antonio Valencia’s understudy this season. This loan allows him to get valuable experience in the Premier League, while working under a manager that knows and rates him.

Helpfully, it appears that Tim will be playing in the same positions which he would be required to learn at United. De Boer says “I am seeing him in our system as a right centre back but he can also play full back in a 4-3-3.”

Best of luck to him.