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Jose Mourinho Wanted Manchester United Star To Train With First Team At The Age Of 15

Jose Mourinho Wanted Manchester United Star To Train With First Team At The Age Of 15

Nicky Butt revealed why Jose Mourinho’s request for Mason Greenwood to train with the Manchester United first team was turned down.

Jose Mourinho was eager for Mason Greenwood to train with the Manchester United first team at the age of 15, according to Nicky Butt.

Greenwood made a name for himself in United’s youth academy and has since become a first-team player under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Mourinho played the 20-year-old United forward in pre-season friendly matches and even included him in his first-team squad’s training session in 2018.

However, United legend Butt has revealed that the Special One asked him about Greenwood when he was 15.

Mourinho, who spent two-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford, had his request for Greenwood to train with the first team turned down due to “rules and regulations.”

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PA

Butt instead “pushed” for Scott McTominay to train with Mourinho's squad and the United midfielder “never looked back.”

Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “[Mourinho was] an unbelievable character. I was his academy manager so I wondered what it would be like.

“The reality was that he spoke to me every single morning at breakfast. He asked me about young players, he was approachable, he was helpful.

“He was single-minded and selfish -- and whether you like it or not, that’s what the best managers are.

“He would ask me which players I wanted to move up. He asked, ‘Who is this kid Greenwood?’ when Mason was 15. ‘Bring him to train with us,’ and I said, ‘We can’t, because he’s at school and there are rules and regulations.’

PA

“I pushed Scott McTominay and explained that he was a good kid who he’d like; one who was aggressive, can run and pass. Jose had him training and Scott never looked back.”

Butt, who is a co-owner of Salford City alongside fellow Class of '92 stars, stepped down from his role as United’s head of first-team development back in March.

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McTominay has since made over 100 appearances for United and established himself as a regular in the first team under Solskjaer.

PA

Butt, 46­, opened up about Mourinho’s experience of working with United youngsters and how he tipped Victor Lindelof to be the “next big player.”

The former England international added: “Jose sat with the under-19s ahead of a trip to Portugal. He told them what to expect, he said that Victor Lindelof will be the next big player.

“Jose was good and, for an elite manager with his record, he was very, very good with me. He walked into the room and you knew he was the boss.

“If he had a stern face, you knew he wasn’t in the good mood but at other times he had a laugh.”

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Jose Mourinho, Mason Greenwood, Manchester United, England, Premier League, Football