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Red Devils 2018-19

yinyang

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0DE79B21-6823-41D3-B35A-6064B6DEAF46.jpeg
 

yinyang

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EFL tie vs Derby

Frank Lampard is looking forward to facing "hugely influential" former boss Jose Mourinho for the first time as a manager when his Derby side travel to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday.

Mourinho managed Lampard during two spells at Chelsea, winning two Premier Leagues and an FA Cup together.

"It will be nice to see him and go up against one of his teams," said ex-midfielder Lampard.

"We have to give everything."

Lampard signed for Chelsea in 2001 and spent 13 years at the club, while Portuguese Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2007, and then again between 2013 and 2015.

The 40-year-old former England international took his first managerial role at Derby in the summer. His side are sixth in the Championship going into Tuesday's 20:00 BST kick-off at United, who are seventh in the Premier League.

"[Mourinho] is a manager who was hugely influential on my career twice - but particularly the first time around," added Lampard.

"I respect him completely for that. You will find Jose Mourinho's players being managers all over the place because he has been so successful in his career.

"They're expected to win, quite rightly so with the squad they've amassed there. It's a challenge for us and we want to go there and do as well as we can." added.

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Frank Lampard won two Premier Leagues and one FA Cup under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea


I enjoy the drama of the cup - Mourinho
Meanwhile, Mourinho says he enjoys the pressure and the uncertainty of cup football.

"I like the feeling of the knockout," said the 55-year-old. "You win, you are in the competition; you lose, you are out. I like that pressure and honestly I think fans also like it.

"In this moment, you don't even have the possibility of playing 30 more minutes after a draw - you go straight to a penalty shootout, which obviously is a 50/50 situation.

"So there is a better chance for the teams not considered favourites, which brings more possibility of killing giants."

For the hosts, Ander Herrera could return from an ankle injury to start.

Fellow midfielder Nemanja Matic could also feature, but forward Marcus Rashford remains suspended and defender Marcos Rojo is out with a knee injury.

Derby captain Curtis Davies remains absent with a hamstring injury and fellow centre-back George Evans is out with a knee problem.

Forward Tom Lawrence will also serve the last of his three-match suspension.

MATCH FACTS
Head to head

  • Manchester United and Derby County have met in the League Cup twice before, with United winning both times, in the quarter-finals in 1970 and the semi-finals in 2009.
  • Derby have lost seven of their past eight visits to Old Trafford, with their only victory in this time coming in May 2001 when Malcolm Christie scored the winner in a 1-0 win.
Manchester United

  • Manchester United have won 14 of their past 15 League Cup third-round matches, losing only in 2007-08 against Coventry City at Old Trafford.
  • In the Premier League era, three of the four teams to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the League Cup have been from outside the top flight - York City in September 1995, Coventry City in September 2007 and Crystal Palace in November 2011.
  • Mourinho has never lost a home match in the League Cup (P11 W9 D2 L0), although he was eliminated in the third round in 2005-06 against Charlton Athletic when his Chelsea side lost 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Lampard featured for Chelsea that day.
Derby County

  • Derby have lost six of their past seven League Cup ties against Premier League opposition, their only win coming against Stoke City in the quarter-finals in 2009.
 

yinyang

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Manchester United are depressingly bad and it could see Jose Mourinho sacked by
Xmas

Things need to change quickly but with the many problems in the team and at the club right now, it’s hard to know where Mourinho finds a response

The description, from two senior figures in the Manchester United dressing room, is that the mood there is “depressingly bad”. And this was in the few days before the dismal defeat to West Ham United. The scene afterwards was naturally even worse, further feeding this cycle of bad results and escalating pressure to win the next game, that comes from this wider cycle in Jose Mourinho’s career

The description, from two senior figures in the Manchester United dressing room, is that the mood there is “depressingly bad”. And this was in the few days before the dismal defeat to West Ham United. The scene afterwards was naturally even worse, further feeding this cycle of bad results and escalating pressure to win the next game, that comes from this wider cycle in Jose Mourinho’s career.

No one can now doubt this really is one of those seasons. No one can doubt this now feels all in the balance, maybe the end game. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been resolutely against the idea of dismissing Mourinho, but some players are now saying they expect change at the end of the season anyway, and that one more year would be “tough”.

Results may make all of that irrelevant, and force Woodward’s hand. They are already dismal. The best-paid squad in world football, and one expected to at least challenge for the title, has three defeats and a draw from seven games. That is just 10 points, with a return of 10 goals for and 12 against making such a sorry sight look worse.

Even more conspicuously, it leaves Mourinho with just two points more than Chelsea at this exact same stage in 2015-16.

It is also the exact same number of points that David Moyes had after seven games in 2013-14, making it United’s joint-worst start since 1990 and joint third worst since the introduction of three points for a win.

That should make the alarms grow louder.

Mourinho back under the spotlight after United rocked by West Ham
All of this is also why the bad atmosphere - and then all of the bad results that follow - go way beyond the Paul Pogba situation, even if that is where Mourinho does deserve some sympathy.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...-sacked-west-ham-miguel-delaney-a8561071.html
 

yinyang

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Jose Mourinho's potential replacements
Who could potentially replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United?

2/11 Zinedine Zidane
Current job: N/A
Odds: 8/11

A three-time Champions League winner in his two-and-a-half years at Real Madrid, Zidane is the favourite to replace Mourinho.
The 46-year-old has proved adept at managing egos and would be a popular choice with Old Trafford's French contingent, though
doubts over his true extent of managerial ability remain.


3/11 Antonio Conte
Current job: N/A
Odds: 10/1

Dismissed from Stamford Bridge this summer, Conte has a proven track record of winning trophies and Premier League pedigree.
United, however, may be understandably wary about appointing another manager who has recently left Chelsea in acrimonious circumstances.


4/11 Mauricio Pochettino
Current job: Tottenham Hotspur
Odds: 14/1

Pochettino has never hidden his ambitions to manage at the very highest level and would offer a more attractive style of play
than his close friend Mourinho. Snaring him from Tottenham would be difficult but a power play on United's part.


5/11 Carlo Ancelotti
Current job: Napoli
Odds: 20/1

A safe pair of hands, Ancelotti would - much like his former Madrid assistant Zidane - settle the dressing room and cope well with
managing its various egos. His recent appointment at Napoli makes any return to the Premier League unlikely.


View the rest
The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...astle-news-jose-mourinho-latest-a8571026.html
 

yinyang

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Alexis Sanchez earns Manchester United dramatic win over Newcastle and might just have saved Jose Mourinho’s job
Manchester United 3-2 Newcastle United: Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez completed a remarkable second-half comeback to relieve a little pressure on their manager


Alexis-Sanchez.jpg

Alexis Sanchez celebrates his crucial winning goal ( PA )

Having been close to the point of no return on Saturday morning, and having seemed to suddenly reach it by tea-time, José Mourinho spectacularly stepped back from the brink.

When Yoshinori Muto scored Newcastle United's second, after less than 10 minutes of play at Old Trafford, he appeared to have all but ended Mourinho’s reign as manager of Manchester United.

Few at that point foresaw a spectacular second-half comeback, but one came - inspired by Juan Mata, energised by Anthony Martial then completed emphatically by Alexis Sanchez. It may have earned Mourinho a stay of execution


The question is whether this win can give Mourinho more than two more weeks of gainful employment. Can it galvanise his United side? Can three home points that were always expected against side that is yet to register a league win be a momentous result? Can victory excuse a first-half display in which United were as dismal and as directionless as they have ever been under Mourinho’s management?

Given the depths this team has plumbed of late, given the place they found themselves after Muto added to Kennedy’s opener and given that many of the journalists sat in Old Trafford’s cramped press box spent most of their evening writing Mourinho's epitaph, the answer is simple: yes, it can.

The evening began in the manner of United's last league outing, the dismal defeat at West Ham United last week. Nemanja Matic admitted to putting in the worst performance of United career at the London Stadium, but here was a new entry to rival it.


The Serbian, a Mourinho drill sergeant trusted to marshal the troops when under fire, was instead partially at fault for Newcastle’s first goal, failing when asked to make a crucial interception in on the halfway line.
Ayoze Perez picked up the loose ball and slid a pass through the disorganised defence to Kenedy. Ashley Young, just as culpable as Matic, was rounded with an appalling ease and David de Gea was easily beaten. Mourinho, incensed, waved his hands angrily on the touchline, shouting as if any of his players were listening.

Within two minutes, it was two. This time, Young was solely responsible, again easily turned by Muto after Jonjo Shelvey's cross in from the right. This time, Mourinho responded with actions rather than words, calling Mata from the substitutes' bench and hauling off Eric Bailly. The game was just 19 minutes old.

Jose-Mourinho.jpg

Jose Mourinho gestures on the touchline (Reuters)

This eye-catching change would only bear fruit in the second half, and United's comeback would have began a lot earlier had Marcus Rashford converted a gilded opportunity shortly after Mata's introduction. The youngster, heading from six yards out, glanced Romelu Lukaku's cross wide.
Matic's afternoon was summed up in the early stages of the second half when, after Paul Pogba's drive was parried by Martin Dubravka, he ignored the open goal at his mercy and lifted the rebound well over the crossbar.

Old Trafford's mood never dampened, though. The Stretford End had challenged United's players to improve as they walked towards the tunnel for half time and there was an air of expectancy as Mata stood over his free-kick in front of them in the 70th minute. When it beat Dubravka, they believed.

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Anthony Martial equalised for Manchester United (Getty)

Marouane Fellaini and Chris Smalling were both denied heroically by a Newcastle side desperate to hold on for three points - their first of this league season - but their lead was finally eradicated and their resolve broken by Martial. So often a disappointment to Mourinho, on this occasion he delivered, exchanging passes with Pogba before equalising with ripping, low drive.

Martial turned and punched the air in celebration but quickly urged his team-mates to return to the centre circle and search for another. Mourinho did the same and this insistence on victory, that a draw would not do, that this club's standards would be upheld, may be the most heartening aspect of the performance for any United fan.

The winner was found by Sanchez, dropped to the substitutes' bench at the start of the day but United’s saviour by the end of it. Young went some way to absolving himself for Newcastle's goals, hanging up a cross to the far post in the 90th minute for the Chilean to nod in.
This was cruel on Newcastle, whose players fell on their haunches at the sound of the final whistle. Mourinho, meanwhile, savoured the public show of support he desires, according to some reports on Saturday.


It did not come from his superiors but the supporters, who had already made their feelings known on where their loyalties lie. “Jose’s right, the board are shite,” could be heard at 0-2. At 3-2, they simply sang “Jose Mourinho.” He is still, for now, their manager.
 

Gallego99

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Mourinho again? My take is he'll be given a few more games b4 he gets the sack. B4 anyone jumps to his defence, it was all his own doing from the start. Let's hope they revamp the club with a technical director and hopefully a new CEO.
Best that they hire an Italian manager (anyone but Conte). My first choice would be Ancelotti and please Zidane is probably the worst possible choice for the club.
 

yinyang

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Romelu Lukaku opens door to leaving Manchester United for Juventus by admitting he ‘hopes’ for Italy move
The Belgian striker admitted his interest in playing in Italy, which will not help to ease tensions at Old Trafford after a difficult start to the season

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...s-rumours-latest-hopes-for-move-a8584346.html
romelu-lukaku.jpg

Romelu Lukaku has expressed an interest in moving to Italy ( Reuters )

Romelu Lukaku has opened the door to a move away from Manchester United after expressing his interest in playing in Italy, noting that Juventus are one of the top three clubs in Europe who are getting stronger every year.
The 25-year-old striker has endured a testing start to the season, with his early run of form – scoring four goals in as many games for United as well as three goals sandwich in the middle for Belgium – deserting him that coincided with the club’s plummet down the table.

The Belgian has gone six consecutive matches without a goal for United, although his double in Friday’s 2-1 victory over Switzerland will fuel hopes that he can get back to goalscoring ways upon his return to Old Trafford this week.

However, while preparing for Tuesday night’s international friendly against the Netherlands, Lukaku was asked about a potential move to Italy with Serie A champions Juventus, and his answer did not exactly do anything to strengthen his current long-term commitment to United.

“Why not?” Lukaku told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I hope it happens.
“Juve have a great project in place and they just keep going. Every year they try to get stronger.
“Without doubt, Juve are one of the two-three best teams in Europe.
“They’ve got a great coach on the bench and extraordinary players in every area of the team.”

The striker is contracted to United until June 2022 after completing a £75m transfer from Everton in 2017, but he would not be the only former United player to head for Turin should he push for a move to Juventus.

The club made a serious statement of intent in the summer by signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, and while Lukaku was quick to praise the rest of Juve’s star-studded attack force, he held special praise for the Portuguese given what he has achieved in his career.

romelu-lukaku-0.jpg

Lukaku scored twice for Belgium on Friday but has struggled for goals for United (Reuters)
“Cristiano Ronaldo stands out, but watch out for the others too,” Lukaku added. “Paulo Dybala is already impressive and getting stronger, while I love Douglas Costa.
“He’s an exceptional signing and his career shows he always makes the difference.”
 

yinyang

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Saudi Arabia’s interest in Manchester United is real – but what comes next remains to be seen
Given Saudi Arabia's long-standing links with Old Trafford, and the country's attempts to diversify into sport investments, it is surprising that it has taken this long to enter into the race

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...st-buy-club-mohammad-bin-salman-a8586866.html

If the reports of Saudi Arabia wanting to buy Manchester Unitedcome at what is, politically, a highly sensitive time given the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggifrom the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the reality is that these are murmurs that have been doing the rounds for a few months.

And the Old Trafford club’s links to the kingdom go back even further.
Saudi Telecom are already United’s longest-standing commercial partner, while last year they agreed a separate “strategic partnership” with the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia. Different names, same pot of money.


All of these deals – as well as the proposed $25bn deal with Fifa for the Club World Cup and potential new Nations League – are part of the regime’s somewhat belated attempts to diversify into sport investments and away from oil, while accruing the soft power benefits of such purchases, following the lead of Qatar, most notably with Paris Saint-Germain, and allies UAE with Manchester City.

Given there is greater wealth in Saudi Arabia than both, it is surprising that it has taken this long to enter into this race. Figures familiar with the area say the centralisation of power around Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman – the son of King Salman of Saudi Arabia – in a country where it has previously been very spread out has made such moves much easier. It is the Crown Prince who is claimed to be personally interested in bidding for the Glazer family’s private shares.

Purchasing a club like United would be such a clear and obvious part of that strategy. Purchasing United would meanwhile be an enormous coup, maybe the global jewel in football given that Real Madrid and Barcelona are socially ring-fenced because of their membership structures.
The attraction is obvious.
While no-one will go on record and say that there is definitive interest in the club from Saudi Arabia, many believe it has been considered.


crown-prince.jpg

Mohammad bin Salman is said to be interested in buying the Glazers’ shares (Getty)


If Saudi Arabia’s wider strategy is abundantly clear, however, the Glazers’ is not. Information doesn’t tend to leak from that family so easily and they maintain a tight inner circle.

United were not commenting on the reports, but neither were they commenting on their existing deals with the country, an interesting detail at a time when so many others having been willing to distance themselves given the Khashoggi story.

A pertinent point is that the links between club and kingdom are there that would facilitate any potential bid without the need for intermediaries that could see information leak.
It should be stressed that the majority of sources maintain that United are, officially, not for sale.
Why would they be when they continue to be such a highly rewarding investment for the Glazers? The latest reports showed a record income of £590m from selling sponsorships. The six Glazer siblings and their investors have meanwhile been paid around £65m in dividends over the last three years.


Other sources however believe that the American family have always had some exit strategy in mind. As far back as 2009, it was said that they were really waiting for the use of high-speed internet streaming to take hold, with a view to financially maximising Manchester United’s immense global popularity.
old-trafford.jpg

It should be stressed that the majority of sources maintain that United are, officially, not for sale (Getty)


They are still waiting. Though the club’s website and app have already started such steps for pre-season friendly matches, the Premier League’s collective bargaining policy means it is so far off-limits for the games that really matter. It is also why the next few deals, as broadcasting mediums continue to diversify, could be interesting – and telling.
At the same time, while United may not officially be for sale, those same sources say that a bid of over $4bn would be sufficient to hugely test that position. It would represent a significant return on the Glazers’ investment, too.


It is a sum that Saudi Arabia can easily afford and it is why the story will not go away any time soon, even if little is likely to come of the most recent reports.

The tentative interest is there. The links are there.
Where it goes next remains to be seen.
 

yinyang

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Will we stop the rot at Stamford Bridge?:rolleyes:

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Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger and Jesse Lingard of Manchester United are both fitness doubts ahead of Saturday's meeting

TEAM NEWS
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger could miss his first Premier League game of the season because of a groin problem.
Ethan Ampadu hurt his knee during Wales' friendly defeat by Spain and is another fitness doubt.
Manchester United's Jesse Lingard is not expected to recover from a groin injury in time to face Chelsea.
United will also assess the fitness of Ander Herrera, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic, Luke Shaw and Marouane Fellaini, while Marcos Rojo remains out.


MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
@SteveBowercomm: What Jose Mourinho would have ideally wanted after his team's dramatic comeback against Newcastle was another home game in quick succession to try and build some much-needed momentum.
Instead, after a fortnight's wait he has a return to Stamford Bridge, where he has lost on every visit since he left Chelsea for a second time.
It will be fascinating to see if Manchester United can use the remarkable second-half performance at Old Trafford in any way to dent Maurizio Sarri's impressive start to his tenure in west London.
Chelsea are seven points better off under the Italian than they were 12 months ago and have implemented the new coach's philosophy instantly.
The first managerial meeting of Messrs Sarri and Mourinho is full of intrigue.



LAWRO'S PREDICTION
I am going to go for a 1-1 here. Yes, I know - a big game and I go for a 1-1, what a shock.
But the reason I see it being so tight is that I think we will see Jose Mourinho park the bus, because he will not want to go back to Chelsea and be embarrassed.
Prediction: 1-1
Lawro's full predictions v cricket legend Shane Warne

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
  • Chelsea's solitary defeat in the past 16 Premier League meetings at Stamford Bridge came in October 2012 when they had two players sent off (W10, D5, L1).
  • Manchester United haven't won a competitive fixture away to Chelsea in six attempts since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2012-13 season, drawing once and losing five times.
  • United have lost 18 Premier League games against Chelsea, more than versus any other side. The Blues and Brighton are the only clubs to have won more Premier League matches against United than they have lost.
  • The Red Devils could win consecutive league matches against Chelsea for the first time since 2011.
Chelsea
  • Chelsea are vying to remain unbeaten in their opening nine Premier League games for only the third time, having done so in their title-winning seasons of 2005-06 and 2014-15.
  • The Blues have won 10 and lost just one of their past 15 Premier League matches.
  • They have earned eight points from their past eight games against last season's top-four sides, failing to score more than once in any of those fixtures.
  • Eight of Chelsea's 18 league goals this season have been scored after the 75th minute.
  • Maurizio Sarri's side have kept four clean sheets in their last six games in all competitions.
  • Chelsea's Eden Hazard is the division's seven-goal leading scorer this season, and has also provided three assists.
Manchester United
  • Defeat on Saturday would ensure they equal the club's lowest points tally after nine matches of a Premier League season: 13 in 2014-15.
  • A loss would also be United's fourth in their opening nine league games - that last happened in 1990.
  • They have kept just one league clean sheet this season and conceded 14 goals; only three teams have fared worse.
  • Manchester United have lost three of their last six Premier League away games, winning two and drawing one.
  • The Red Devils have lost eight of their last 13 league games in London, as many defeats as in their previous 39 visits to the capital.
  • Jose Mourinho has lost all three competitive away fixtures as Manchester United manager against Chelsea, by an aggregate score of 6-0. His only other match as a visiting manager at Stamford Bridge was Internazionale's 1-0 Champions League victory in 2010.
  • Romelu Lukaku has played in 18 Premier League matches involving Chelsea - 10 for the Blues, eight against - with his only goal coming for Manchester United in a 2-1 win at Old Trafford on 25 February this year.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45847416
 

yinyang

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Manchester United are depressingly bad and it could see Jose Mourinho sacked by Christmas

Things need to change quickly but with the many problems in the team and at the club right now, it’s hard to know where Mourinho finds a response

The description, from two senior figures in the Manchester United dressing room, is that the mood there is “depressingly bad”. And this was in the few days before the dismal defeat to West Ham United. The scene afterwards was naturally even worse, further feeding this cycle of bad results and escalating pressure to win the next game, that comes from this wider cycle in Jose Mourinho’s career.

No one can now doubt this really is one of those seasons. No one can doubt this now feels all in the balance, maybe the end game. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been resolutely against the idea of dismissing Mourinho, but some players are now saying they expect change at the end of the season anyway, and that one more year would be “tough”.

Results may make all of that irrelevant, and force Woodward’s hand. They are already dismal. The best-paid squad in world football, and one expected to at least challenge for the title, has three defeats and a draw from seven games. That is just 10 points, with a return of 10 goals for and 12 against making such a sorry sight look worse.

Even more conspicuously, it leaves Mourinho with just two points more than Chelsea at this exact same stage in 2015-16.

It is also the exact same number of points that David Moyes had after seven games in 2013-14, making it United’s joint-worst start since 1990 and joint third worst since the introduction of three points for a win.

That should make the alarms grow louder.

All of this is also why the bad atmosphere - and then all of the bad results that follow - go way beyond the Paul Pogba situation, even if that is where Mourinho does deserve some sympathy.

So much of that story, and how a player more valuable for his marketing output rather than his input on the pitch got in trouble for a social media post, are sorry symptoms of the modern Manchester United.

But elements of it, and so much else, are a symptom of Mourinho’s management and his struggles to adapt to the modern game.

The Pogba story merely emphasised how, everywhere the Portuguese turns, there is another problem; and yet another problem that he doesn’t know how to deal with it.
As anyone who has objectively followed the patterns of Mourinho’s career could have easily predicted, he does not seem to have responses to things turning badly, and less so as the game evolves.

So it was after the League Cup elimination to Derby County on Tuesday, yet another tepid and uninspired performance where United were shown how to play intense and proactive football by a side way beneath them. Mourinho - just as at Chelsea 2015-16 - has been at a loss as to how to jolt his side out of this, so locked himself away with his staff for hours after that penalty shoot-out, trying to come up with something different tactically for West Ham.

The “solution” was this: a bizarre three-at-the-back with Scott McTominay, and a needlessly negative system against a Manuel Pellegrini team whose specific problems have been: a high line, a porousness at the back, a lack of cohesion.
How do you come to the decision to sit back against that? Why not go for them? Little wonder the word “confused” was used.
The approach instead emboldened West Ham, further providing them with the cohesion they have lacked through sheer confidence from the Manchester United teamsheet. A team with so many six-footers, meanwhile, still conceded from a set-piece.

Of course, we know why Mourinho didn’t go for West Ham.

This is his default, his fundamental nature as a manager: an inherent defensiveness and a caution, in a modern game where attacking is more dominant than ever.
That of course ties into the wider issues as to why all this is happening.

They barely need to be repeated, since we’ve heard them so often in the past, even if many at United - including some key decision-makers - were wilfully deaf and blind to them.

There is that football that is so out of step with the club’s spirit and elite football in 2018, and fed a situation where dressing-room sources say some of the team are almost afraid to play at Old Trafford.

There is then the complete lack of any kind of modern attacking co-ordination, that might at least give them a framework, and build that confidence.

There is most relevantly the complete lack of connection between Mourinho and the squad, his hard-edged management ironically making this team so soft, so easily beatable. This just isn’t a group of players in thrall to him. They don’t all dislike him, but he’s lost a lot of them, and it has meant losing so many games.

So, we arrive at a Mourinho situation we’ve seen before, from those set of issues we’ve heard before.

It is telling that the dropping of a player as expensive and previously exceptional as Alexis Sanchez can be completely overlooked in all of this, but that just shows how dismally ineffective he’s been, how inefficient United are.

Some Old Trafford sources are now talking about something that others warned them here, too, that a 29-year-old who has played so much football may now be completely burned out; that Arsenal may actually have pulled off a business masterstroke here.
Watch more
Sanchez never seemed like someone Mourinho specifically needed in the first place, which against stands in contrast to the surgical nature of recruitment at Manchester City and Liverpool, two clubs United are now far behind in all senses.

That points to how there are much bigger issues at Old Trafford than the manager, but he is now the most immediate problem.
Why give him more money if, for a crunch game, he drops his new defensive midfielder in Fred before October?

It may all mean Mourinho could really be gone before Christmas.

This needs to change quickly. It’s just, as with all of the many problems in the team and the club right now, it’s hard to know where Mourinho finds a response.

It is, in short, depressingly bad.
 
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yinyang

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Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United: A wild, chaotic finish that enraged Jose Mourinho yet suits both sides
Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United: Mourinho was incensed by
Chelsea coach Marco Ianni’s celebrations but in the end neither side can be too disappointed with what was simply a fascinating encounter


For all that tempers flared at the end of this 2-2 draw, after Jose Mourinho and Manchester United so angrily objected to Chelsea staff member Marco Ianni’s abrasive celebration of Ross Barkley’s 96th-minute equaliser, this should really be a result that both sides are mostly happy with. Any neutrals should be, because it developed into a gloriously chaotic game of football, especially after how bad the first half had been.
And this was the wider point about the game. It could also have ended up so much worse for both sides, who both showed admirable resilience at different points.

It consequently means Chelsea are still undefeated this season, while Mourinho has his first point at Stamford Bridge since getting sacked in December 2015. The Portuguese also had his first goals here, with both supplied by the resurgently sublime Anthony Martial.

The frustration for United was that they again come back for the second successive game, and were leading going into the sixth minute of injury time. It could have been so much more.

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Chelsea might feel the same having initially gone ahead, but they - despite their unbeaten record - they still don’t look much more than challengers for the top-four rather than title challengers.

That is the wider point about these two teams. While it feels like this season is gradually going to settle into that top-four challenge for Chelsea and little more, United’s is still on a bit of a knife-edge. That - as well as all of the speculation about Mourinho’s future - is what is making these games so tense, but is it at least a knife-edge that is a bit more balanced; where they look less like falling off altogether.

That is one thing that has already changed about their season, to their credit. There was a point where it looked like they were finished once they went behind. It now seems to be bringing out their best football, and the best of players like Martial and Juan Mata.

And much as late goals are supposed to be the most revealing aspect in football, Barkley’s here didn’t say anywhere near as much about Chelsea as the others did about United.

The first was yet another moment that summed up so many of the problems in this United regime.
There was first of all the undeniable individual error, and yet another moment of distracted sloppiness from Paul Pogba.
This is precisely why he is rightfully criticised.

It was as if he just absent-mindedly forgot where he was for a few seconds, then belatedly noticed there was a tranche of space he was supposed to be covering, but not before Antonio Rudiger had plundered a header.
Pogba instantly leapt around in frustrated fury, apparently looking for someone to blame. He should have been looking at himself.

And yet it was still a goal that laid out a wider United problems in full view. It said much that, prior to this game, Chelsea were the worst of the big six for scoring from set-pieces, and 18th in the Premier League.
United were meanwhile the worst of the big six for defending set-pieces, and generally around mid-table in the league.
The latter told, and tells its own story.
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Mourinho attempts to confront Ianni after his exuberant celebrations (Getty)

This was the 20th set-piece that United had conceded from in the league since Mourinho took over, with a record of one every four games leaping to one every three this season.

That is remarkable for two reasons. There is first of all the fact that United have so many players over six feet tall, ostensibly for exactly this. There is secondly the fact that properly organising set-pieces used to be a Mourinho first principle, a reflection of his supreme rigour.
They were the foundation of so many of his ferociously tight defences. The absence of that now can partially be put down to the problem that this doesn’t have the personnel for one of those defences, and that he is therefore always changing it, but that reflects a bigger question.
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Mourinho responds to the Chelsea fans by holding up three fingers (Getty)
A containment approach, as United always attempt in big six games, requires set-pieces to be properly prepared because of the inevitability you will give them up when defending as well as the very fact that you are reducing the match to small margins. You just can’t afford to be so loose, when you’re consciously making it so tight.

What’s more, if Mourinho has such little faith in his defence that he is so often changing them, why base the gameplan for another big match on them? Why not build on the momentum of Newcastle United?
The folly of that was actually further revealed by United’s response, even if it also revealed the resilience still creditably inherent in this team.
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Antonio Rudiger celebrates scoring Chelsea's opener (Getty)

Just like against Newcastle, going behind finally forced them to get going - and play to their strengths.

Pogba was now under pressure to produce rather than put Chelsea’s attackers under defensive pressure. Mata was released from marking Jorginho as a “defensive No 10” and instead allowed to play as a proper one. Martial was no longer an auxiliary full-back but instead able to pour forward.
There was also the advantage that this actually played on Chelsea’s weaknesses. They aren’t built for defence, nor cohesive enough yet to not make mistakes under pressure.
So it was for the equaliser. United finally upped the intensity, Pogba played a perfect ball, Chelsea dealt with it imperfectly and Martial scored.

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Martial equalised for United in the second half (Getty)
United were suddenly doing everything they hadn’t been, and everything Sarri’s side don’t like: really putting them under pressure.
There were two separate moments when Mata and Lukaku almost fashioned opportunities through sheer force of will, as they tried to just press Chelsea’s hesitant defenders back towards their own goal.
Both required wild clearances, to go with what a wild game this had so suddenly become.
And that suited United more than Chelsea.
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Martial celebrates after giving United the lead with his second goal (EPA)
It certainly suited Martial. A player that talented is always going to enjoy greater space, and always going to be allowed flourish in it.

With Chelsea’s defence now completely exposed, he was left in that space to exquisitely curl in another.
That looked it, but then United still look so suspect at the back, and the game still remained so chaotic.
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Ross Barkley fires home Chelsea's equaliser to share the points (AP)

It paid off for Chelsea, as did their own persistence, personified by substitute Barkley.
Ianni and Sarri then celebrated, Mourinho raged, but all should have been marginally content.


https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...clash-maurizio-sarri-highlights-a8593641.html
 

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Bournemouth vs Manchester United: Romelu Lukaku not missed
and Callum Wilson deserves England call

Marcus Rashford scored the winner after an entertaining game at the Vitality Stadium

Marcus Rashford saved Manchester United as his last-gasp goal saw them defeat Bournemouth.
Callum Wilson opened the scoring for the high-flying Cherries before Anthony Martial levelled with his fifth goal in four Premier League games. Both sides traded chances before Rashford, with one of the last kicks of the match, sealed the win.
Here's what we learned at the Vitality Stadium.


1. Individual errors cost Manchester United…again
For the 10th time in 11 matches, Manchester United failed to get a clean sheet in the league, something that Mourinho had previously built his success on. Against Chelsea, individual errors cost them and it was almost their downfall when they beat Everton.

Bournemouth were pushing for an early goal and eventually got it by taking advantages of United’s failure to take any individual responsibility while defending. Juan Mata and Paul Pogba failed to keep tabs on Junior Stanislas after he took a corner and he was played behind the defence to set up Wilson’s opening goal.

What followed was a familiar picture of the United players, particularly David De Gea, flapping their arms looking at one another, wondering where the responsibility lies.

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Callum Wilson is in fine company on the list of the league's top scorers (Man Utd via Getty Images)


2. Time for Gareth Southgate to seriously consider Callum Wilson
Howe recently said it is only a matter of time before Gareth Southgate seriously considers introducing Callum Wilson to his England squad, and his latest performance should fast-track his decision.

Southgate named Wilson in his England Under-21 squad in November 2014, and four years later he could be about to name him in his senior side and give him a well-deserved first cap. Before he opened the scoring, only Eden Hazard had been involved in more goals this season and his first-half strike means that only the Belgian winger and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have scored more in the league than him.

His direct, quick and attacking style of play would see him easily slip into Southgate’s side and he can provide a replacement to Jamie Vardy, who recently retired from international football, or a quality alternative to Rashford.


3. Are Manchester United a better side without Romelu Lukaku?
Yes. Romelu Lukaku’s run of 18 appearances since the beginning of the season following the World Cup came to an abrupt end against Bournemouth due to an injury he picked up in training the day before the match. His form this season has struggled to pick up and replicate his start last year, and fans have been calling for Mourinho to drop the forward. So, how did they do without him?

While there was no focal point on the half-way line to aim for when United needed to clear their lines, on the whole they looked a lot better. The movement in the final third, when they eventually got there, was much more fluid than it has been this season and this was evident for Martial’s goal.
Alexis Sanchez had peeled away into the right channel and drilled a low cross into the box after evading the defenders. Arriving on cue and sprinting onto the ball was an in-form Martial to slam the ball beyond Begovic without breaking stride.
Sanchez was even given the highest praise by Paul Scholes. “He’s the only player that can be half-happy with how he played,” said the former United midfielder at half-time on BT Sport.

When Rashford came on to join Martial and Sanchez in a front three, United looked a much better team, they were dangerous, attacking and very difficult to defend against. When Lukaku is fit again, Mourinho has a big decision whether he brings Lukaku back into the side or not. On this afternoon's evidence, he may be set for a spell on the bench.
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United were fluid when they got forward(Getty Images)


4. Eddie Howe and Bournemouth are a force to be reckoned with
Bournemouth had only mustered three wins and 10 points by this stage last season, but now they are proudly lurking around the top-six and are a real danger to teams around them.
To continually improve each season means that Eddie Howedeserves enormous credit, and it may not be too long before some bigger clubs seriously consider acquiring his service. The attacking style of play he produces and enthusiasm he exudes has created a really enjoyable atmosphere around Bournemouth this season, and there is no sign of this coming to a halt.

5. Manchester United face tough week
With Juventus and Manchester City to play in the next seven days, Manchester United needed a positive performance this weekend to start what could be a very tough week for them. Instead, their next opponents will have been getting very excited at the prospect of getting a straightforward win. Whatever was left of Manchester United’s fear factor has surely entirely vanished.
The way that Bournemouth, Bournemouth, cut through United’s limp midfield and defence will make even the most rose-tinted supporters begin to worry about what is to come this week.
Defeat against Juventus will put serious pressure on them in their next two Champions League matches to qualify for the knockout rounds, meanwhile losing to City on Sunday could leave them some way off fourth place in the league, and it’s only November.
 

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Man of the match - Juan Mata (Manchester United)

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Juan Mata was only on the field 11 minutes, but proved pivotal to Manchester United's comeback
after showing great composure to pull the visitors level with the moment of brilliance Jose Mourinho's side need
 

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Big derby tonight, how?

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A goal from Chris Smalling and two from Paul Pogba ensured Manchester United inflicted Manchester City's
only Premier League home defeat last season

TEAM NEWS
Manchester City are likely to recall all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero, who was an unused substitute against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
Kevin de Bruyne, Eliaquim Mangala and Claudio Bravo are long-term absentees.
Manchester United will give a fitness test to Romelu Lukaku, who has missed their last two league and cup games with an unspecified injury.
United will also monitor Paul Pogba, who missed training on Friday with what is believed to be a minor injury.
Diogo Dalot has been out with an injury sustained during the international break, while captain Antonio Valencia is back in contention having travelled to Italy for the midweek game against Juventus.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
@Guymowbray: Both clubs proudly flew the Premier League flag in the Champions League this week, but whose will be hoisted over Manchester until they meet again?
'Sixy' City were sensational against Shakhtar, and if they play again as they have been doing then their first derby win in four at home is more than likely.
Whatever United's plans, they must involve what has been a problem for most Etihad visitors, and that is staying in the game.
For all United's recent comeback exploits, it won't happen every time, and after last time here Pep Guardiola would make absolutely sure it couldn't again.
His team is magnificent right now, whilst the 'Special One' has his mojo back and is looking forward to a "special" game. As are we all.


VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on United: "No doubt they've improved. If they can win in Turin, it shows how strong they are.
"It doesn't matter if [our] confidence is good - it's always complicated. Throughout the history United have beat City more.
"They have incredible talent up front and in the middle as well.
"We have to defend deep, avoid set-pieces as they are huge and far better than us. We have to control the ball more and be clinical."
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "If we keep conceding [opening] goals the day will arrive where we cannot come back.
"I think [it] is clear the team is growing up, but we have to grow up also in our compactness and start matches well."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION
United fans might be optimistic because of their win at the Etihad towards the end of last season, but I don't see that happening again.
I don't see City winning either, though. I usually always fancy them so much to win at home, but with United being so resilient I am going to go for a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Lawro's full predictions v WWE wrestlers Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
  • Manchester United can win back-to-back league games at the Etihad Stadium for just the second time. The only previous occasion came in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
  • City have won two of eight matches against Manchester United in all competitions (D2, L4) since recording four straight victories between 2013 and 2014.
  • The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last three league visits to the Etihad (W2, D1), keeping two clean sheets.
Manchester City
  • Since losing the Manchester derby in April, they have taken 25 league points from a possible 27 at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 32 goals and conceding just four.
  • City conceded three second-half goals in that derby defeat - but in their subsequent 18 league matches they have conceded just once after the break, with that goal scored by Wolves' Wily Boly (via his hand).
  • They are unbeaten in 53 top-flight matches against sides who began the day outside the top four since a 4-0 loss at Everton in January 2017 (W44, D9).
  • Pep Guardiola has never lost consecutive home league games against a single opponent in his managerial career.
  • Guardiola has won nine of 21 games against Jose Mourinho-managed sides in all competitions (D7, L5).
  • Sergio Aguero has scored 17 goals and set up a further five in his last 13 Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium.
  • Aguero scored seven goals in his first seven top-flight matches versus United but has failed to net in his last three against them.
  • Raheem Sterling has failed to score in all 12 of his Premier League matches against Manchester United despite attempting a total of 19 shots.
Manchester United
  • United have kept just one Premier League clean sheet this season, conceding 18 goals in 11 matches. It took them until 31 January - and 25 games - to concede as many last term.
  • Their club record for most goals conceded after 12 Premier League fixtures is 20, in 2001. The last time they conceded more than 20 in their opening 12 top-flight games was in 1966 (21 goals).
  • The Red Devils could win three successive top-flight matches for the first time since a five-game streak last season, which included April's 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
  • This will be Jose Mourinho's 300th Premier League match as a manager. He has won 189 games in the competition, with 67 draws and 43 defeats.
  • A Juan Mata goal would make him the fifth Spaniard to score 50 times in the Premier League.
  • Anthony Martial can become the seventh different player to score in five consecutive Premier League games for the club, emulating Eric Cantona, Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46087586
 

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Alexis Sanchez ready to leave Manchester United
in January if opportunities remain limited

Man United transfer news

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Frustrated | Alexis Sanchez has scored one goal this season in 11 appearance for United ( Clive Brunskill/Getty Images )

ES Football Newsletter
Alexis Sanchez is prepared to be a loner at Manchester United – but will seek a move as early as January if he continues to be exiled by Jose Mourinho. The Chilean’s omission from Sunday’s starting line-up against Manchester City has pushed him closer to the Old Trafford exit.

The 29-year-old is frustrated by his lack of playing time this season and is prepared to walk away if he continues to be overlooked by Mourinho.

But suggestions a lack of close friends in the dressing room could also drive him out have been dismissed.

Sanchez is said to be happy to cut a lone figure, with on-field success his primary motivation.


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A summer move remains the likelier option, but Sanchez would also be willing to explore the opportunity of a January deal, due to his frustration.
The problem for him and United remains the size of his salary, which is believed to be worth up to £400,000-a-week. Very few clubs in world football could afford to offer him the same deal, as well as a transfer fee on top.

Even Manchester City had to drop their pursuit of the forward in January after learning of the size of the offer being put on the table by United.
Qatar-backed Paris Saint-Germain would be the standout option in Europe – but the French giants are likely to prefer a summer move when they might be looking to replace Neymar, who continues to be linked with Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho: United won't be affected by derby defeat
The question is whether Sanchez’ frustrations boil over to the point that he demands a move when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.
He became so unsettled at Arsenal last season that he pushed for an exit in January, despite being just six months away from becoming a free agent.

That caught City off guard, as they were banking on bringing him in at the end of the season.
United pounced, prompting accusations from critics that Sanchez had chosen money over ambition.
But it is understood a key factor his decision to head to Old Trafford was the belief he would be one of Mourinho’s star players, rather than part of a rotation at City, along with Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.

Now he finds himself behind the in-form Anthony Martial at United – and with the Frenchman expected to sign a new five-year deal soon, his first team prospects will continue to be hindered.
Sanchez was used as a 73rd-minute substitute in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to City, despite Romelu Lukaku being ruled out of the starting line-up having only just recovered from a hamstring injury.
Mourinho – who is said to have had a strong relationship with the forward – preferred Marcus Rashford at the point of his attack, which was another damning indictment of Sanchez’ position at the club.

Sanchez has scored just one goal this season – the dramatic late winner against Newcastle last month, which was one of the rare highlights of his time at United.
In Pictures | Alexis Sanchez joins Manchester United | 22/01/2018
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While Mourinho loyally stuck with him up until the start of this season, the United manager’s frustration ran out as his reign was plunged into crisis. He made his feelings known during one dressing down at Carrington, before dropping Sanchez for Martial.
Given the uncertainty over Mourinho’s own long-term future, Sanchez could wait until the end of the season to see if his situation improves, or if a new manager comes in.


But his determination to push through his exit from Arsenal in January is evidence of how strong-willed he can be when his frustration takes hold.
 
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