Jose Mourinho was full of praise for the Netherlands centre-back Matthijs de Ligt after the defender opened the scoring for Ajax in their dramatic defeat by Tottenham on Tuesday night.
De Ligt's header in the first half put Ajax 2-0 up on aggregate before Hakim Ziyech's superb strike appeared to put the Champions League semi-final tie to bed at half-time.
However, Erik ten Hag's side were stunned after the interval as a Lucas Moura hat-trick turned the game on its head and set up an all-English final with Liverpool in Madrid on June 1.
Speaking before Tottenham's dramatic comeback, former Manchester United manager Mourinho told beIN SPORTS at half-time: "In a funny way, I only believe De Ligt is 19 years old when I look at his face.
“I think he has fantastic maturity. I think he must be very, very intelligent. I think the kid is fantastic.”
De Ligt is expected to leave Ajax this summer, with a host of Europe's elite clubs interested in acquiring the teenager's services.
Manchester United have already started their squad rebuild
However, despite United's need for a central defender, De Ligt is reportedly not interested in a move to Old Trafford due to the club's current plight.
It was reported by the Daily Star earlier this week that the teenager has turned down a five-year deal at United worth £250,000 a week.
De Ligt was reported to be one of United's top targets but they will have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements, with the player reportedly turning the Reds down because they are not the attractive proposition they once were.
