Jose Mourinho claims Renato Sanches made mistake snubbing Old Trafford for Bayern
Man United boss hints he would have given Portuguese whizkid more game time than Euro 2016 winner gets in Germany
JOSE MOURINHO thinks teenage whizkid midfielder made a mistake in signing for Bayern Munich rather than Manchester United.
Sanches, 19, joined the German champions after being on the United radar last season.
It was while Louis van Gaal was in charge and by the time Mourinho took over in May it was too late to clinch a deal.
As it happened, former Benfica youngster Sanches then proceeded to set Euro 2016 alight with some stunning performances for surprise winners Portugal and was named best young player.
Mourinho confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that he wanted to sign Sanches but his late arrival cost United a deal.
"I arrived late," Mourinho said. "I signed in May, we started talking a week before, but completely out of the process. If I had arrived earlier, I’d fight for him.
Mourinho is not renowned for giving youth a chance but he has afforded Marcus Rashford - also 19 - plenty of playing time this season whereas Sanches has made just five league starts for Bayern.
"We want the young boys to play and to perform," Mourinho said. "At the same time, the best teams want to win and it is difficult to win with the learning curve of the young boys.
"You go to other clubs where young players are being developed. It’s easy when there is no pressure playing in mid-table where you can win today, lose tomorrow. It’s different at big clubs.
"Sanches is a European champion. But he doesn’t play in Bayern Munich.
"The last match he played they lost to Hoffenheim. Will he play in the Champions League quarter-finals? I have my doubts. You know, there are contradictions in all of us."