Jose Mourinho confirms Scott McTominay is first team player at Manchester United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho claims Scott McTominay "is not young anymore" and revealed midfielder is a fully-fledged first-team player at Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old came up through the ranks of the Red Devils' youth system. The Portugeuse tactician handed him a first-team debut at the end of the 2016/17 season. This campaign, the Lancashire-born player made his Champions League debut against Benfica.

Mourinho handed McTominay his first league start of the season in United's 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth. He has so far made three starts in the 2017/18 season, which came in three different competitions – the Premier League, Champions League and the Carabao Cup.

The former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager was impressed with McTominay's display against Eddie Howe's side.

"I didn't realise that he was young Scott. For me he is not young Scott anymore - he is just Scott, a player from the first team squad," Mourinho explained, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

Mourinho further went on to heap praise for his display against Bournemouth. The United boss was also impressed with the midfielder for adapting quickly to the needs of three different competitions he has featured so far this season.

"Scott didn't look like it was any different for him to play in another match and another competition. He is ready to play, he had 90 minutes today, he had 90 minutes against CSKA [Moscow] and he is ready to play," United manager told the club's official website.

"Scott, this season, has played 90 minutes in three different competitions. He played against Swansea in the Carabao Cup, tonight and played against Benfica and, for the three times, he played 90 minutes, not 89 or 87 or 85."

McTominay also tied his future to the 20-time champions of England after signing a new four-year deal in October. Lack of regular playing time at United has seen the midfielder attract interest from the Championship clubs.

According to The Sun, Leeds United, Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers are amongst the five clubs from England's second division interested in signing McTominay on loan in the January transfer window.

Mourinho has been widely criticised for not providing enough opportunities to young players in the first-team. These claims have been refuted by the 54-year-old on a regular basis.

At United, academy graduates Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard are a regular figure, with both players committing their futures at Old Trafford after the ex-Inter Milan coach was appointed as the club's manager.