Manchester United youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah has backed ‘special’ manager Louis van Gaal to stay beyond the end of the season after giving the kids a chance.

Van Gaal is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer after two ordinary years in charge, with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho his likely replacement.

But Fosu-Mensah, 18, has given an indication of a swell of support from United’s young players for a manager who has handed debuts to 14 academy starlets.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah says that the manner in which Louis van Gaal believes in young players is 'very special'

Fosu-Mensah is one of 14 academy players that Van Gaal has given a debut since joining in summer 2014

THE ACADEMY PLAYERS GIVEN DEBUTS UNDER LOUIS VAN GAAL Jesse Lingard, Tyler Blackett, Saidy Janko, Reece James, Andreas Pereira, Paddy McNair, Tom Thorpe, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Donald Love, Joe Riley, Marcus Rashford, Regan Poole, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and James Weir Advertisement

Mourinho, conversely, was criticised for his youth record at Stamford Bridge after the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek struggled to break through earlier this season before the manager was sacked.

‘They find this very special in England,’ Fosu-Mensah told Dutch paper De Telegraaf of Van Gaal’s faith in youngsters.

‘At the top clubs, the young boys do not quickly get a chance but Van Gaal has proved the contrary. He keeps his eye always on young boys and it is definitely important to me.

‘Van Gaal is really a man with personality. I still think it's great that I was able to make my debut under him. Do I hope he stays? Of course.’

Versatile Dutch star Fosu-Mensah was a late substitute in United’s 1-0 win at local rivals Manchester City on Sunday in what was his fourth senior appearance.

Van Gaal’s promotion of youth has been one of the highlights of an up-and-down season which leaves United sixth in the Barclays Premier League, but just a point behind fourth-placed City.

Marcus Rashford, scorer of Sunday’s winner and a starter in the club’s last eight games, has been the stand-out, while Jesse Lingard and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson have also been among those to impress.

But with United off the pace in the title race and out of the Champions League and Europa League, Van Gaal’s position has come under huge pressure throughout the campaign.

Reports in Spanish newspaper El Pais last week claimed Mourinho had agreed a preliminary contract to take the reins at Old Trafford next season.

Donald Love, left, and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, right, are two players to make their debuts this season

Meanwhile, reports in Spain say Manchester United have reached a preliminary agreement with Jose Mourinho

The pre-contract was reported not to be a final agreement, but to effectively reserve Mourinho for United if they wished to take up the option - with a £5million compensation clause for the out-of-work boss if the club turned their back.