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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho packs his defence with kids for Crystal Palace clash ahead of next week's Europa League final

Jose Mourinho could field one of the youngest back-fives in Premier League history on Sunday as he protects his key men for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Ajax.

Goalkeeper Joel Pereira and left-back Demetri Mitchell, both 20, are in line for their Premier League debuts against Crystal Palace on Sunday, alongside a pair of 19-year-olds Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe. Eric Bailly, 23, who is suspended for United’s season-defining match in Stockholm, will also start at Old Trafford.

Their average age is only marginally older than Steve McClaren’s Middlesbrough line-up against Fulham in 2006, which featured three 19-year-olds and two players aged 21.