Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has revealed that Paul Pogba is clearly happy in the training ground when compared to earlier in the season. The France international was in-and-out of the starting lineup when Jose Mourinho was at the helm of things and there had been a point where he was linked with a potential departure after a bust-up with the manager.
Thanks to the efforts of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the battle for fourth place has now become more of a ‘battle’ and less of a formality. As ever, February will act as a pivotal month in the league season in terms of seeing how valid that standpoint is. Based on head-to-head histories and recent trends, this is what we can expect in a Premier League month that United will underestimate at their peril.
United ‘lost’ by a 5-4 aggregate scoreline across three trips to Craven Cottage in the calendar year of 2009, but the age-old stadium is no longer the fortress it was back in the mid-to-late 2000s. Since then, United teams have won thrice and drawn once on the banks of the Thames. It should be a stroll against a Fulham side that returned to its shoddy ways after a brief revival in the autumn. (more…)
Read More »Manchester United currently have the oldest of three footballing siblings in their ranks, the likes of which probably haven’t been seen since the Wallace brothers came through at Southampton.
The three current brothers are Joe, Chris and Matty. All three started out with Arsenal, having been born in Waltham Forest. Matty, now 22, moved to Manchester United after being released by the Gunners at 15.
Chris has perhaps had the most success to date. He’s represented England up to Under-20 level, but in 2017 chose to leave these shores to seek his fortune, signing for Portuguese side Benfica on a five-year deal. (more…)
Read More »Manchester United legend-turned-pundit Gary Neville has heaped praise on the performances of Marcus Rashford and believes the Englishman would be the player to transform the club’s fortunes in the future. Rashford had been in-and-out of the first-team under the guidance of Jose Mourinho earlier in the summer but the Portuguese’s dismissal has meant that he has regularly led the line ahead Romelu Lukaku.
If there was any doubt before, Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Tottenham proved beyond doubt: David De Gea is the Premier League’s best goalkeeper. The Spaniard has been one of the most consistent number ones in world football for the past couple of years, and there is a strong argument to suggest he’s now the best in the game. Against Spurs, De Gea repelled everything that came his way, making 11 saves and almost single handily ensuring United won their sixth game in a row under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – a man who knows a thing or two about top goalkeepers.
During his 11 years at Old Trafford as a player, Solskjaer played alongside Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar – two of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history. The United interim manager was glowing in his praise of De Gea after the Spurs win, claiming the Spain international could one day be considered to be the club’s greatest ever goalkeepers. The 28-year old’s 11 saves at Wembley was his highest in a Premier League game, and again highlighted just how important he is to this United team. (more…)
Read More »Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the proceedings of Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin with a view to a renewed approach at the turn of the year. The Red Devils had supposedly come on the cusp of signing the Uruguayan during the summer but the centre-back made the surprise U-turn to remain with the Europa League champions.
Manchester United legend-turned-pundit Gary Neville has said that he is not surprised by Anthony Martial’s decision to snub a new long-term contract with the Red Devils. The France international has recently found form for United with three goals scored from as many matches and this has encouraged the board to open talks regarding a contract extension.
Derby County manager Frank Lampard has admitted that he is pleased about Jose Mourinho guiding Manchester United to a much-needed triumph over Newcastle United and he is hopeful that the players can produce a similar performance on a weekly basis. The Portuguese tactician had come under fire after United went winless for four matches on the bounce but they came back in style with a dramatic 3-2 comeback triumph after being 2-0 down at one stage.
Former Manchester United forward Ji Sung Park still believes in Jose Mourinho. On the back of their latest comeback (and hopefully a fresh start with a new impetus on attacking football) he said that every team has a poor period and that it is important that the players and the fans get behind the coach, especially given that the Portuguese manager is one of the best managers in the world who will surely find a solution to their problem.
With United supposedly having one of their best games under Jose in the 3-0 home defeat to Spurs, unfortunatley their next match (a convincing win) turned out to be a false dawn, with United slipping to turgid defeats and draws in their next few games. On the eve of the Newcastle tie on Saturday, the press were asking whether it would be acceptable for Manchester United to go 5 games without a win (a sequence not seen since the David Moyes days), and pundits were calling for Mourinho to be sacked. (more…)
Read More »Chelsea legend John Terry believes Manchester United’s average start to the season could be blamed on the players rather than manager Jose Mourinho. The Red Devils have made a disappointing start to the campaign with just six points from the opening four games and this has supposedly made Mourinho the bookies’ favourite to be sacked.
