Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brings Timothy Fosu-Mensah in from the cold and hands him his first start for Manchester United since 2017 in must-win clash against Crystal Palace
- Timothy Fosu-Mensah started for Manchester United against Crystal Palace
- It was his first start for the Red Devils since May 2017 and he went in at left-back
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to go with Fosu-Mensah over Diogo Dalot
Timothy Fosu-Mensah was handed a rare starting place in Manchester United’s XI for their must-win clash against Crystal Palace on Thursday evening.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made the surprising decision to go with Fosu-Mensah over Diogo Dalot at left-back – with it being the defender’s first start for the club since May 2017.
But Fosu-Mensah put in a solid display as United kept up their ambitions of playing in the Champions League next season with a 2-0 victory.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah battles with Andros Townsend in a rare start for Manchester United
Fosu-Mensah was filling in for the injured Luke Shaw, who had been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Solskjaer was adamant the club’s academy graduate was ready to face his former club, where he spent a year on loan.
Solskjaer said before Thursday’s game: ‘Timothy’s [Fosu-Mensah] been waiting for his chance. He played a couple of reserve games. He’ll be ready.’
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial gave United victory as they kept the pressure on Chelsea and Leicester for the final Champions League qualification spot.
Fosu-Mensah (left) spent a year on loan at Crystal Palace during the 2017-18 campaign
