Home Blog Page 312

Paul Merson thinks Manchester United are out of Premier League title race

0
Ian Wright

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson thinks that Manchester United are out of the Premier League title race and should focus on a Champions League berth now.

Manchester United have had a roller coaster of a Premier League campaign so far. They won their opening match before suffering successive defeats against Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Wins over Burnley and Watford showed that the Red Devils were on the path of improvement. However, they drew 1-1 against Wolves at Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho was disappointed with the result and criticised the attitude and work ethic of his players.

Manchester United are 7th in the Premier League table with 10 points.

Even though only six games have been played, Paul Merson thinks that Manchester United are out of the Premier League title race.

When asked if United can win the Premier League, Merson said, “No, no chance. They’re too far behind. Eight points? That’s too many.

That means Liverpool have got to lose three matches for them to catch that and if they lose them three and maybe another two, that’s five. That means Man United have got to go and lose two games until the end of the season. They’re looking for a top four place now.

That’s how quickly it’s turned around at Old Trafford, that’s what they’re fighting for. Arsenal have just reeled off four on the trot, Chelsea have started well, you know Liverpool and Man City it’s going to be out of them two. I think they’re (Manchester United) fighting for top four.”

Manchester United play Derby County in a Carabao Cup encounter today. Their next Premier League is against West Ham on Saturday.

Darius Vassell says Jose Mourinho should drop this player

0
Vassell says Mourinho should drop Sanchez

Former England international Darius Vassell thinks that Jose Mourinho should drop Alexis Sanchez for a while but not for long.

Sanchez has struggled ever since he joined Manchester United from Arsenal. He is yet to live up to expectations and his performances for the club has been average at best so far.

Vassell thinks that it’s time Jose Mourinho dropped Sanchez and considered fielding other players.

He said, “To be honest, as a player you never want that (to be taken out of the limelight). You can’t ask for that or expect that I don’t believe.

I think you want to be playing every single football match. But on the other hand, I do think it is the right time to maybe sit him out, for him to go through that as a player, to sit down and watch his team, look at it from a different angle, think about his game, think about his performances and almost be taken out of that pressure situation that he’s obviously in.

I don’t think they can do that for too long wont him, I think he’s cost way too much money to be sitting on the bench.

I think he needs to be playing the standard of football he is capable of and he needs to be playing week in, week out for Manchester United. He’s a player capable of being captain for me when he’s on his day. But he’s not reached those heights yet and I do think it’s about time (he was dropped).”

Manchester United are currently 7th in the Premier League. Their next match is a Carabao Cup tie against Derby County tomorrow. The Red Devils’ next Premier League game is against West Ham on Saturday.

West Ham ended Chelsea’s winning run by drawing 0-0 against them yesterday.

Paul Pogba backs struggling Manchester United teammate

0
Manchester United teammate

Paul Pogba has backed his Manchester United teammate Alexis Sanchez and thinks that he will soon perform brilliantly for the club.

Sanchez is yet to live up to expectations after coming to Old Trafford in January.

His performances this season so far is not what one expects from a player who is paid £500,000 a week.

Sanchez played 60 minutes in Saturday’s match against Wolves before Jose Mourinho replaced him.

Paul Pogba said that his Manchester United teammate is working hard and trying to adapt to Manchester United’s style of football.

Pogba said, “What you have to know about Alexis is that he is a hard worker. He trains very well, he always tries to help the team, talks with the team and everything. He will get used to it. When you play a long time with another team and you play different football in that other team, you have some kind of adaptation that you have to have.

It’s not that he is playing bad. We know that Alexis Sanchez can bring a lot and I’m sure he will. He keeps being positive, so that’s the good thing we have to think about.”

Manchester United are currently 7th in the Premier League table with 10 points. Their next match is a Carabao Cup encounter against Derby County tomorrow before playing West Ham on Saturday.

 

 

Paul Pogba urges Manchester United to be more attacking

0
Paul Pogba
180922 Fotboll, Premier League Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - September 22, 2018 Manchester United's Paul Pogba reacts after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. © BildbyrŒn - COP 7 - SWEDEN ONLY

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has said that the team should play more offensively while playing at Old Trafford.

Manchester United drew against Wolverhampton Wanderers at home on Saturday. Summer signing Fred opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Joao Moutinho equalised early in the second half.

The draw put an end to Manchester United’s three-match winning run, all of which were away wins.

The Red Devils are currently 7th in the Premier League table with 10 points.

Paul Pogba said that Manchester United lacked offense against Wolves and has urged his teammates to attack more while playing at home.

He said, “When we are at home we should attack, attack, attack. That’s Old Trafford. We are at home and we should play much better against Wolves. We are here to attack. I think teams are scared when they see Manchester United attacking and attacking. That was our mistake.

Maybe the attitude should be better and we should play better because, again, we are at Old Trafford and we should just attack and press like we did against Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal last season. When we play like this it’s easier for us.”

Manchester United next play Derby County in a Carabao Cup fixture on Tuesday before resuming their Premier League campaign against West Ham on Saturday.

West Ham ended Chelsea’s winning run on Saturday by drawing 0-0 against them.

 

Marouane Fellaini reacts to Manchester United draw with Wolves

0
Marouane Fellaini reacts to Manchester United draw with Wolves

The Red Devils have won only three Premier League games so far this season

Jose Mourinho prioritized bolstering Manchester United squad in the summer transfer window after not winning a single silverware last season. They signed Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant before the transfer deadline.

However, the Portuguese was not happy with the outcome of the transfer window as he wanted few more players especially a high profile centre-back and a direct, fast winger to complete his squad.

After losing 2 consecutive games in the Premier League, the Red Devils were looking to be back on track after winning three games in a trot in the league and Champions League.

The Premier League giants were looking to make it 4 on a run against Wolves on Saturday and started positively after Fred opened the scoring, his first for the club. But they were held to a draw after they conceded a goal in the second-half, much to the frustration of the Portuguese.

Marouane Fellani, who played all the 90 minutes admitted that he was not happy with the side’s performance and believes they lacked energy.

“We are very disappointed today, but we have to do better,” he told MUTV.

“I think we have to press more and we have to be more energetic, and we have to run forward. We didn’t today and when we have the chance we have to score and we didn’t today”.

The Belgian added: “A bit, but it is not the reason (we lost). I think a lot of team played twice a week and we have to be ready, we have to be energetic and want to win the games.

“They are a good team, we know they play football, they are dangerous, they are energetic. But we are very disappointed today.

“We have to start again, we have a game on Tuesday and we have to focus quickly on this game and look forward.”

United will face Derby County in the League Cup on Tuesday and will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Read Also: Pogba says Manchester United are mentally stronger now

Manchester United have submitted bid for Brazilian starlet

0
Manchester United have submitted bid for Brazilian starlet

The Red Devils are looking to land him in the January transfer window

Jose Mourinho prioritized bolstering Manchester United squad in the summer transfer window after not winning a single silverware last season. They signed Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant before the transfer deadline.

However, the Portuguese was not happy with the outcome of the transfer window as he wanted few more players especially a high profile centre-back and a direct, fast winger to complete his squad.

The Red Devils have won 3 out of 5 Premier League fixtures so far this season and have struggled sometimes, both defensively and offensively.

However, it has been suggested that the manager will look to make few additions in the January transfer window to mount a Premier League title challenge and will be backed by the club.

Manchester United have submitted a bid for Lucas Paqueta according to a report of Le10Sport. The Spanish publication claims that they have lodged a €40 million bid for the player.

The Brazilian broke into the first team back in 2016 and has been a key player for the club since then, scoring 14 goals in 80 appearances.

The 21 year has old earned International recognition after impressive performances and has already won 2 caps for his nation.

Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City, Pairs Saint-Germain, and AC Milan were also said to be keeping close tabs on him. All the five European sides have been scouting him for nearly a year now.

He has a €40 million release clause at Flamengo and the Brazilian outfit are reluctant to lower their demand for him.

Read Also: Mourinho says Manchester United are improving defensively

 

Romelu Lukaku reveals which Premier League legend is helping him at Old Trafford

0
Romelu Lukaku reveals which Premier League legend is helping him at Old Trafford

The Belgian has been impressive so far this season

Romelu Lukaku joined Manchester United from Everton last summer for a reported fee of £75 million plus £15 million in add-ons, signing a 5 year contract with an option to extend it by a year.

The Belgian developed himself as one of the best strikers in the Premier League with the Toffees and was even linked with a return to his former club Chelsea before deciding to move to Old Trafford.

The 25 year old was very impressive for the Red Devils in his debut season, scoring 26 goals in all competitions. He helped them to finish second in the league behind Manchester City, their highest ever finish since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

The Striker was selected in the Belgium World Cup squad this summer and scored 4 goals in the tournament as his nation reached the semi-finals.

The Belgium International has started this season strongly, scoring 4 goals in 5 appearances. He recently became the latest player over the 100 Premier League goals mark and his last strike, against Watford in the 2-1 saw him overtake Didier Drogba’s 104 in the English top flight.

Lukaku has revealed that he has been in regular contact with his childhood hero Drogba and claimed that he has been helping him with his progression.

“Well he’s [Drogba] been a part of my process from day one until now, we talk almost every day,” he told the Premier League website.

 

Mourinho says Manchester United are improving defensively

0
Jose Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said that his team is improving defensively. The Red Devils had a poor start to the season by losing two of their first three Premier League matches. However, they came back strongly by winning their next two matches against Burnley and Watford.

Manchester United also started their Champions League campaign on a winning note by defeating Young Boys 3-0.

Jose Mourinho said that it’s difficult to score against Manchester United because they have gotten better as a team.

Mourinho said, “The team as a team is resolving the defensive problems better than before, I don’t want to say it was Eric Bailly or Phil Jones and now Smalling and Lindelof.

I think the team is more compact, more solid. The spirit, the cooperation, the empathy and communication have all improved in the team. Good results bring confidence.

We are as improving as a team I don’t want to say it has the name of Chris or Victor.”

Manchester United are currently 8th in the Premier League table and next play Wolves tomorrow.

Jose Mourinho says that Diogo Dalot won’t play against Wolves

0
Diogo Dalot

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Diogo Dalot will not play tomorrow against Wolves.

Dalot joined Manchester United from Porto this summer on a transfer fee of £19 million. He made his debut for the club in their Champions League opener against Young Boys. He played every minute of the match as Manchester United won 3-0.

The 19-year old gave a fine performance which many praised.

However, Mourinho said that Diogo Dalot won’t play against Wolves tomorrow because he just recovered from a knee injury. Mourinho also said that Dalot will play in United’s Carabao Cup match against Derby County on Tuesday.

Mourinho said, I want him, in this process of adaptation, to play totally fresh, so he’s not playing tomorrow. He plays Tuesday again.

Playing for Manchester United is difficult enough for a kid of 19-years-old, coming from another country and after an important injury and surgery. He doesn’t need to face more difficulties. It was a difficult pitch, he recovered totally and on Tuesday he will play again.

But he showed for the ones that don’t know him very, very well that he is not a player to be here just on formation, is a player to be here [to fight for] positions – he’s a very good player.”

Manchester United resume their Premier League campaign against Wolves tomorrow.

 

Rio Ferdinand praises Paul Pogba for his goal against Young Boys

0
Rio Ferdinand praises Pogba

Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has praised Paul Pogba for his stunning field goal against Young Boys.

Pogba opened the scoring for Manchester United in their Champions League opener by firing a brilliant left-footed shot into the top corner of the net. It was Pogba’s first goal from open play this season.

The Frenchman added a second from the penalty spot to double United’s lead before Anthony Martial added a third.

Rio Ferdinand heaped praise on Pogba for his opening goal. The former United defender took to twitter to praise Pogba.

He wrote, “Joke of a finish….. love it @paulpogba… will he make it no2?!!! Penalty!!!!”

Pogba’s brace was his first in the Champions League and his second for Manchester United.

Manchester United resume their Champions League campaign against Valencia nearly two weeks later but before that, they play three matches, the first of which is against Wolves at Old Trafford tomorrow.