ANN ARBOR, Michigan -- Timothy Fosu-Mensah wants to stay at Manchester United and help Jose Mourinho through his injury crisis.
The Portuguese coach could be without 17 senior players for the final game of the United States tour against Real Madrid in Miami on Tuesday. He says a number of those will also miss the start of the Premier League season against Leicester at Old Trafford on Aug. 10.
Fosu-Mensah, who spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace, has been linked with another temporary move. But the 20-year-old is hopeful of staying put and giving Mourinho an extra option in his hour of need.
"Last year, I was at Crystal Palace, I think I improved there and I've come back a better player," the Dutchman said following the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.
"I came back to show that I've improved and to show that I'm a better player now. I'll keep working hard and see what happens.
"I can play right-back, right wing-back, centre-back, in midfield. For me, it's possible. I've played centre-back and right wing-back [on the tour] so for me it's not a problem. I wouldn't say in goal -- in goal I would be very bad."
Mourinho has six defenders nursing injuries -- Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Eric Bailly, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and Diogo Dalot -- while Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof and Ashley Young are on holiday following the World Cup.
Lindelof is due back at Carrington this week while Jones has agreed to cut short his holiday in a bid to be ready to face Leicester.
There could still be an opportunity for Fosu-Mensah, who was part of an inexperienced back line against Liverpool, and the Dutchman is in line to get another opportunity against Real Madrid this week.
"I have to take it day to day," he said. "I'll keep working hard and if the manager needs me I'll be ready.
"The tour has been good. We've played against quality opponents. We tried to train how we want to play so I think it has been really good for us.
"I'm focused on my training sessions and on the games. The next game is Real Madrid and we have to focus on that now.
"It's very nice to play against a good club, against good players. Some of the best in the world. It's good to have that test and we're focused on that."