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Tag: Man Utd

  • Man Utd defeat Leicester in Premier League opener

    Man Utd defeat Leicester in Premier League opener

    Manchester United captain Paul Pogba scored the opening goal as the Red Devils beat Leicester in the first game of the Premier League season.

    United had a frustrating summer, unable to sign any centre-backs and with Jose Mourinho looking increasingly irritated, but that did not hinder them too much at Old Trafford as they made a flying start on Friday night.

    They won a penalty in the second minute when Daniel Amartey handled Alexis Sanchez’s deflected shot.

    France midfielder Pogba stepped up and after a slow run-up placed the ball in the top-right corner above Kasper Schmeichel. The World Cup winner had not even expected to start, having only returned to training on Monday.

    Left-back Luke Shaw then scored the first senior goal of his career after controlling Juan Mata’s aerial pass to seal the victory.

    Substitute Jamie Vardy scored a late consolation after Ricardo Perreira’s cross had hit a post, and Foxes goalkeeper Schmeichel came forward for an injury time corner but his header went wide.

    The Foxes had edged the first half following their early setback with debutants James Maddison and Ricardo both forcing saves from David de Gea.

    The second period was a slightly tamer affair before the late goals, although substitute Romelu Lukaku was denied a goal by a good Schmeichel save.

    It was the third season in a row Leicester have conceded the opening goal of the season – having lost to Hull and Arsenal in the first games of the previous two campaigns.

  • Daley Blind joins former club Ajax from Man Utd

    Defender Daley Blind has completed his move from Manchester United to former club Ajax, for a fee that could eventually rise to £18.5m.

    Blind, 28, joined United from Ajax for £13.8m in 2014, when fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal was in charge.

    The Netherlands international was a regular under Van Gaal – but his appearances have reduced since Jose Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford.

    “To play for the biggest club in the world meant a lot,” Blind tweeted.

    “I had a great four years with four trophies. I want to thank everyone, I will never forget some of the special games and moments, but now it’s time to go home.”

    Blind played in both the 2016 FA Cup final and the following year’s Europa League final victory over Ajax.

    It is understood the Dutch club will pay an initial £14m to re-sign Blind on a four-year deal.

  • Mourinho forecasts ‘amazing’ period for Man Utd

    Mourinho forecasts ‘amazing’ period for Man Utd

    Jose Mourinho has predicted an “amazing” period for Manchester United as he prepares to host a series of significant fixtures at Old Trafford across three different competitions.

    United host Chelsea in the English Premier League on Sunday to kick off a run of four home games in their next five matches.

    Mourinho’s side start next month with a league trip to Crystal Palace before welcoming top-four rivals Liverpool.

    A Champions League last-16, second-leg fixture against Sevilla and a home FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton & Hove Albion wrap up the busy period, and Mourinho remains confident ahead of United’s decisive spell in the campaign.

    “I think the next few weeks at Old Trafford will be amazing,” he told MUTV.

    ”Two big matches against two direct rivals in the EPL, two knockout matches that, if things go well, can leave us in the quarter-final of the Champions League and the semi-final of the FA Cup.

    “Sometimes we have periods with three, four consecutive away matches but this time we have four matches at home, with Crystal Palace away in between, but four big matches at Old Trafford.”

    United’s schedule contains 13 fixtures, including 11 league matches, but that total could potentially rise to 20 depending on their progress in the cup competitions.

    “March, April and May can be really busy and going far in the FA Cup creates you problems.

    “We now play Brighton when we were supposed to play West Ham and we don’t know when we’ll play West Ham,” Mourinho added.

    United, currently second in the league, have an opportunity to open up a six-point advantage over fourth-placed Chelsea with a win at the weekend.

     

  • Da Gea help Man Utd earn valuable draw against Sevilla

    David de Gea’s stunning first-half save helped Manchester United claim a creditable draw at Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

    The Spain keeper had kept out efforts from Joaquin Correa and Steven N’Zonzi before showing quick reflexes to produce a one-handed save on the stroke of half-time and deny Luis Muriel’s header.

    United, who were playing their first Champions League knockout game in four years, offered little offensively, with Romelu Lukaku spurning their best chance when he volleyed well over early on before substitute Marcus Rashford dragged a shot wide in the closing stages.

    Paul Pogba started on the bench for the visitors, but came on after just 17 minutes following an injury to Ander Herrera.

    Sevilla finished the game with 25 attempts on goal but a mixture of De Gea’s saves and poor finishing from the hosts left them frustrated at the final whistle.

    Manchester United will be the happier of the two teams heading into the return leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday, 13 March with Jose Mourinho’s side winning 15 of their 18 games on home soil this season.

  • Newcastle beat Man Utd to win first home league game since October

    Newcastle won a Premier League home game for the first time since October with a surprise victory over second-placed Manchester United.

    Matt Ritchie scored the only goal in the second half as the Magpies climbed out of the relegation zone and left the visitors 16 points adrift of leaders Manchester City.

    The Red Devils missed a string of chances to take something from a ground at which manager Jose Mourinho is yet to win a league match.

    But debutant Martin Dubravka was excellent in the Newcastle goal, denying Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Ashley Young and Michael Carrick.

    And the hosts could have had a first-half penalty when Chris Smalling tripped Dwight Gayle.

    Defeat for Manchester United raises the prospect of Manchester City being crowned champions when the teams meet at Etihad Stadium on 7 April.

    Should both teams win all of their league matches prior to that, City would only need to draw with their fierce rivals to secure the title that day.

    Mourinho said after the game that Newcastle had fought “like animals” – and the hosts certainly produced a fierce and committed performance.

    The Magpies made more sprints (553 to their opponents’ 490), ran further (115km to 105km), and in DeAndre Yedlin and Ritchie had the game’s fastest and most industrious players.

    Manager Rafael Benitez may be hoping recent signing Islam Slimani, who missed this game, can add more to an attack that only managed three shots on target, but Ritchie was clinical when it mattered.

    Smalling was penalised for a dive that allowed the impressive Jonjo Shelvey to send in a free-kick. The equally eye-catching Florian Lejeune headed it down, and Ritchie collected Gayle’s flick to shoot past David de Gea.

    That ended a run of 43 shots without a Premier League goal for Ritchie – and gave Newcastle their first home win in the league since 21 October.

    Prior to the match they were just one point better off than in their 2015-16 relegation season, but this win moved them up to 13th – and only three points behind 10th-placed Bournemouth.

     

    BBC

  • I will no longer celebrate most Man Utd goals-Mourinho

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has vowed to no longer celebrate most occasions when his team hits the back of the net, as he continued a war of words that broke out in last week’s defeat to Manchester City.

    The Special One was not amused at what he considered excessive celebrations from Pep Guardiola in the Manchester derby, sparking a fresh rift between the old rivals.

    And when Romelu Lukaku netted on Sunday against West Brom, Mourinho barely raised an eyebrow — a phenomenon he puts down to “maturity”.

    “I didn’t celebrate too. Nobody was happier than me. Fifteen years ago I look at myself celebrating goals. With maturity you go into levels that you control your emotions better,” he explained at a press conference.

    “You get more experienced, you get more balanced. You don’t go crazy when you win. You don’t get depressed when you lose. You are much more stable with experience. Some other managers, they are different, and they don’t change.

    “I change. If I score a goal in the last minute you will see me run, for sure, for sure. But a goal in minute 20-something, 1-0 with a lot to play… Let’s play.”

    Mourinho also declined to comment on a video released by members of the City squad mocking his reputation of “parking the bus”.

    “I didn’t see it, I didn’t watch. I am not interested in doing that. You are the ones to make your evaluations, your comments. For me, nothing,” he added.

    “I think Lukaku didn’t celebrate for two reasons. His love for West Bromwich Albion. He was a happy kid here, they help him to feel loved, they made him feel at home. It was here he exploded in the Premier League. So for sure that.

    “And probably the second thing is he looks at me and I don’t celebrate too. And he probably says: ‘If he doesn’t celebrate why should I celebrate?’”

    United remain 11 points behind their Manchester rivals, who have won their last 16 Premier League games to romp clear at the summit.

    Goal.com

  • Man Utd draft Nigeria teenager Kehinde into first-team training

    Manchester United drafted youngster Tosin Kehinde into first-team training prior to their Premier League clash with West Brom on Sunday.

    The Red Devils are without Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick against the Baggies, while star midfielder Paul Pogba is suspended for the encounter.

    Scott McTominay started against Bournemouth in midweek, along with Nemanja Matic, as United won 1-0.

    Ander Herrera is fit and could play against the Baggies, meaning it is unlikely that Kehinde will be thrown in at the deep end by starting against West Brom.

    Kehinde is primarily a left midfielder, but he is versatile, and has played both in the middle and on the right of midfield.

    A stunning strike against Chelsea caught the attention of many United fans, and he has made nine appearances for the club’s Under-23 side this season.

    Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Kehinde missed the entirety of the 2014-15 season due to a back injury, but will hope to make up for lost time by featuring with the senior squad way ahead of time.

    Sporting News

  • Jose Mourinho: Man Utd boss asked to clarify comments about Man City

    Jose Mourinho: Man Utd boss asked to clarify comments about Man City

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been asked to clarify the comments he made before Sunday’s derby defeat by Manchester City.

    The Football Association has requested observations from the Portuguese regarding his pre-match news conference on the Friday before the game.

    Mourinho suggested City players go to ground easily, saying: “A little bit of wind and they fall.”

    He has until 18:00 GMT on Monday to respond to the FA.

    Mourinho, 54, also said he did not think he would be allowed to make to make a political statement on the touchline like Guardiola, who has recently worn a yellow ribbon – a symbol of protest against the imprisonment of pro-independence politicians in the Spanish region of Catalonia.

    United went on to lose the game 2-1 at Old Trafford, which sent City 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

    Mourinho had milk thrown at him outside the Old Trafford dressing rooms after objecting to City’s post-match celebrations and said the incident was “a question of diversity in behaviour, diversity in education”.

  • Eric Bailly needs surgery to cure ankle injury – Mourinho

    Eric Bailly may need surgery on an ankle injury that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has now confirmed is “serious”.

    The centre-back has missed eight consecutive matches and last featured for United in the 1-0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea on November 5.

    Bailly sustained the problem on international duty and Mourinho could not say whether or not he might miss the rest of the season.

    “I think it is serious. I don’t know [how long he will be out],” Mourinho said after beating Bournemouth 1-0 at Old Trafford.”We are trying a conservative treatment but if the treatment is not resulting then probably it will end in a surgery procedure but let’s wait a little bit more.

    “I don’t want to be so pessimistic [as to say he might be out for the season]. I want to leave it with a doctor. I’m not a doctor. There’s nothing to hide, but I don’t want to be speaking about it.

    “Today, I played Chris Smalling and Phil Jones and we had Victor Lindelof and Daley Blind on the bench. Marcos Rojo was injured against Manchester City but nothing really big.

    “During the whole season, we’ve had problems with central defenders but, because the number is four or five, we manage always to have players available.

    “Chris Smalling is playing amazingly well for seven or eight matches in a row maybe, so we are fine.”

  • Teams will not be happy to face Man Utd says Mourinho

    Jose Mourinho says teams will not be “jumping with happiness” if they are drawn to face Manchester United in the Champions League knockout stage after his side beat CSKA Moscow to win their group.

    United had to come from behind to secure their place in the last 16 of the competition – the first time they have progressed that far since David Moyes was in charge in 2014.

    Victory at Old Trafford ensured Mourinho’s team finished above second-placed Basel in Group A with 15 points from their six games.

    “I think it does not matter which team we get in the draw,” said the Portuguese manager.

    “I am not the luckiest guy with draws so it is better I shut up and forget it because we only play in February. Until then I have to concentrate on the English competitions.

    “I think that teams will not be jumping with happiness to play against us. I don’t think so.

    “I am really happy because we don’t want to qualify with a defeat and we don’t want to qualify with a bad performance so the objective was to qualify playing well.”