Jose Mourinho made prediction about ‘one of the highest quality’ wonderkids after watching him for 10 minutes, Man Utd just found out the hard way

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Manchester United’s loss to Bournemouth could have been avoided with better finishing, with the Red Devils attempting 23 shots and scoring none.

Bournemouth were clinical, winning 3-0, with Dean Huijsen scoring the first goal in the 29th minute.

Huijsen, 19, cost Bournemouth just £12.8 million in the summer, with the Cherries seizing on Juventus’ surprise willingness to sell the player.

Already this season Huijsen has stepped up as an impressive performer, making 12 appearances in all competitions, now scoring twice.

Jose Mourinho predicted Dean Huijsen success

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho coached Dean Huijsen during a loan spell at Roma.

And even though he had just 10 minutes first team experience before he signed him, Mourinho made a confident prediction about the teenager’s potential.

Mourinho told Football Italia: “We all know who he is. He is an 18-year-old boy who has played 10 minutes in Serie A, but he is one of the highest quality prospects in European football at this age level.

“He will be a great footballer in the future.”

Mourinho and Bournemouth believed in Huijsen’s talent, even if Juventus did not, or were forced to sell for financial reasons.

Huijsen is influencing games at Premier League level at just 19-years-old, looking like an assured and confident player beyond his years.

Manchester United were linked to Huijsen

Bournemouth acted decisively to swoop on Dean Huijsen in late June, at a time Manchester United were busy battling Everton, attempting to sign Jarrad Branthwaite, with the Toffees demanding £70 million.

United eventually spent £90 million combined on Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, neither of who ended up starting the match against Bournemouth.

Huijsen meanwhile cost just £12.8 million, a reminder to Manchester United that talent exists at low prices, if the club are savvy enough to recognise it.

Italian outlet Tutto Juve had claimed in March that United were interested in Huijsen – although this did not materialise into anything further.

One thing was clear from Huijsen’s performance, that he stands to become a lot more expensive in the future, and Jose Mourinho’s prediction may well be right.