Man Utd debutant Mitchell hails Mourinho after 'mad' Palace clash
Demetri Mitchell has thanked Jose Mourinho for the "massive experience" of a Manchester United debut.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SqgUTgipRwY3e69z3ZyUDF-1000-80.jpg)
Manchester United debutant Demetri Mitchell paid tribute to Jose Mourinho after the youngest team in the club's Premier League history defeated Crystal Palace.
Three days before the Europa League final against Ajax, Mourinho named a team with an average age of 22 years and 284 days.
Mitchell and the scorer of United's first goal, Josh Harrop, were handed debuts from the start, while 16-year-old Angel Gomes came off the substitutes' bench to also make his United bow.
Paul Pogba added a second as United won 2-0 and a delighted Mitchell felt playing alongside so many other players from the youth set-up was "mad".
Mitchell told MUTV: "I just want to thank the manager and say congratulations to the other guys, Harrop, [Scott] McTominay, Angel, who is 16. It is just great experience.
"It is mad. I never thought that all of us could be on the pitch at the same time, so it is great.
"I'm just happy to play and want to thank the manager. It was a great experience stepping out at Old Trafford.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"It was massive for me. I was born near Old Trafford and now stepping out at Old Trafford – it is what dreams are made of."
2000 - 's Angel Gomes is the first player born in 2000 to play in the Premier League. Disco. May 21, 2017
Mitchell, who completed the full 90 minutes, revealed senior players Pogba, Phil Jones and Michael Carrick all helped the youngsters to calm their nerves before Sunday's match.
"You try and picture how you want the game to go but it is different out there," he said.
"Of course there were a few nerves but all the lads - Paul, Carrick and Jones - were great before and during the game.
"It was great to have them alongside to help me through the game and give me confidence."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack