Mourinho looked refreshed and ready for the coming season after the biggest blip of his career at Chelsea last year in his first media conference as Man United boss this week, and his confidence got the United fans in the Football Transfer Tavern more than excited for the new season.
Labelling himself ‘the happy one’, he looks eager to confront any lingering criticism that might remain, and with three signings made already it looks as though his Red Devils revolution has begun.
One criticism which has haunted Mourinho for a vast amount of his career is that he often ignores youth, and sticks to players seen as tried and trusted.
In typical Jose fashion though, he confronted this head on at the press conference this week, stating he had given chances to and promoted 49 youth players through his career, and even had the list with him to prove it.
Having signed the the ageing (yet still quality) Zlatan Ibrahimovic, here are five Euro 2016 wonderkids that might complement the Swedish superstar…
Harry Kane
Although he failed to live up to expectation with England this Summer, the Spurs striker showed bags of quality last season, and has racked up an impressive 59 goals over the past two seasons.
Some might argue at 22, it is questionable to label the Chingford born striker a wonderkid, but having not properly kicked off his career until a couple of seasons ago, it seemed fair to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Ibrahimovic seems unlikely to play every game next season given his age, leaving Manchester United with just Rashford and Rooney as other upfront options. Rashford, at just 18, is unlikely to be able to lead the attack on his own, and with questions over whether Rooney can even perform in the number 9 role anymore, Harry Kane would be a perfect long term solution.
Teddy Sherringham has called for last season’s top goalscorer to think long and hard about a move to Old Trafford, and perhaps Kane could be convinced to join Jose for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Dele Alli
Another Tottenham player who should certainly be on Mourinho’s radar is Dele Alli. Taking the Premier League by storm last season, notching up 10 goals in 46 appearances, the 20-year-old looks like a phenomenal talent.
Not to mention that he’s English! Which is becoming an ever more important factor with the change in Premier League rules regarding English and home grown players.
This unfortunately does mean that the England international is likely to command an expensive price tag, as we saw with Raheem Sterling’s £49 million move to Manchester City last summer.
Much like with Kane, it would be far from an easy transfer to pull off, but as we saw with Rooney all those years ago, there are pay offs from spending big on English talent whilst they’re young.
Yannick Ferreira Carrasco
The Atletico Madrid winger has looked very special over the past year, scoring in the Champions League final against Real Madrid and scoring in his first major tournament at the European Championships this summer.
A Player that truly shows promise, at just 22, he has already made a career total of 148 appearances, scoring 25 goals.
The Spaniard could provide some much needed pace on the flanks next season. Especially considering Mata looks likely to leave, Valencia is now more of a right back, and Depay…well lets just forget about Depay.
Marko Pjaca
21-year-old Croatian hot shot, Marko Pjaca is an attacking winger who plays for Dinamo Zagreb.
Spoken of as one of the next big things in Europe the young star is reported to have attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs including Juventus, AC Milan, and Napoli.
Mourinho would have to act quickly though if he fancies bagging the winger who scored 26 goals in 90 for his current club, with Jurgen Klopp also taking an interest in the Euro 2016 star.
Ante Corić
Another young Croatian, and club team mate of Marjo Pjaca, Coric is just 19 and is already involved with the international first team, even earning himself a place at Euro 2016.
Man City and Liverpool have both been credited with an interest in the attacking midfielder, but if Mourinho was to make a swift purchase he could have a real coup on his hands.
Valued at a reported £10-£12.5 million, one newspaper awarded Coric the best young Croatian player of the year, and would be an ideal prospect to fit into the number 10 Wayne Rooney role in a couple years time.
