Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho hasn’t established himself as a manager that is ideal for developing young talents during his career so far but that may change in the coming years, following a bold statement from the Red Devils boss.

Mourinho has favoured superstars over up-and-coming players during his career, which has been shown this summer by the decision to sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton rather that put faith in the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

Both young attackers are key for his side though and will be utilised effectively throughout the campaign and there may be the opportunity for other youngsters behind the scenes to step up and make a breakthrough, according to Mourinho.

Speaking on the club’s pre-season tour of North America, the Portuguese boss is quoted by The Manchester Evening News as stating:

“The reputation is the reputation. But the other day I found myself in the tunnel before the Real Madrid game and, I’m not talking about the second-half because they were kids who were 15 or 16 during my time there, but in the first-half more than half the Real team, which is their first-team because they were only missing Ronaldo and Ramos, all these guys started with me and had debuts with me.”

“They came into the first team with me, they trained with me when they were 15 and 16-years-old. Nacho, Casemiro, Carvajal, Morata. Morata was not there, Marcelo was 20. Almost all of them.”

“So probably in a few years Man United will also have half a dozen of these kids [in the team]. I think Scott (McTominay) and Demetri (Mitchell) are also kids to have a future in the club and Andreas Pereira is back. So when the kids are good and have potential, there is no problem.”

McTominay, a central midfielder by trade, will have a stern challenge ahead of him to force his way into the Manchester United side but the opening is certainly there with Michael Carrick and Juan Mata approaching their twilight years, which should give the 20-year-old confidence.

Mitchell, a 20-year-old left-back, will look to challenge Luke Shaw for a first-tea spot whilst Pereira, a highly-rated 21-year-old attacking midfielder, will hope for opportunities after returning from a loan stint with Spanish outfit Granada.