Club sources say Mourinho sees Ibrahimovic as a similar figure to Didier Drogba, who can offer the squad expertise and experience, but also serve as a bridge between manager and players.
Interesting development.
A 4-0 win against West Ham is probably seen as a routine under Sir Alex but it’s hard to not get carried away with today’s performance. After 3 seasons and 3 managers, it seems like we finally have a team capable of winning the elites. Although we’ve won 3 last season – that if you count Community Shield as a trophy – our main target is always the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
I haven’t seen anything this good since Sir Alex retired. Not from Moyes and Van Gaal. Not even from Mourinho.
Matic and Pogba, the new midfield axis, were predictably effective. Big lad Lukaku will score a lot of goals, while Martial and Rashford will indeed help scoring some as well. At the back, Baily was very comfortable playing with Jones, and De Gea will definitely continue to perform some good saves.
Long season ahead of us, but that was a very comfortably good start. Let the good times roll!
Nemanja Matic on ESPN:
“We have to rest well because we have a very important game on Sunday against West Ham. It’s the start of the Premier League and it’s very important for us.
As you know the Premier League is the main target. There is a lot of games, it’s a long season but I expect us to do well.”
First game of the 2017/2018 season is coming as soon as this weekend. I can’t wait.
Chelsea loaned Lukaku to Everton just after Super Cup final in Prague 4 years ago.
Mourinho:
“Romelu is a young boy who likes to speak. The only thing he didn’t say is why he went to Everton on loan. That’s the only thing he never says. That’s what I’m telling him now: ‘Tell the country why you left’.
When you enjoy to speak, speak everything. Don’t speak only half of it. Speak everything. It’s a simple question: ‘Why did you leave Chelsea?’ Ask him.”
The answer is a good story.
The club announced that they’ve signed Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic. To me the new no. 31 is a very good signing because of 2 main reasons:
- Jose Mourinho trusts him.
- He will free Paul Pogba to attack, where he’s good at.
Exciting times ahead!
Calm and composed is Carrick’s main attribute to boss United midfield for so long. Paul Ansorge over at Bleacher Report compile some of the new captain’s most important role at United games over the years into a very pleasant read.
“I can guarantee that he is not going this season” is the best statement from the boss regarding David De Gea I’ve heard for a while.
Can’t wait for the new season to start!
“Romelu Lukaku” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by theglobalpanorama
If anyone can help Manchester United get back to the top of English football, it is Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku. The 24-year-old left fellow Premier League side Everton for United earlier this month and he has adjusted quickly to life at Old Trafford.
Lukaku got his name on the scoresheet in United’s 2-1 victory against Real Salt Lake on just his second appearance for the Red Devils and he will be looking to enjoy a successful pre-season ahead of what could be a memorable campaign for Jose Mourinho’s men.
According to statistics collected from the official Premier League website, Lukaku has scored 85 goals in 182 top flight appearances – an impressive return. If the big Belgian can do that at Everton, who knows how good he could be at United.
With the right service and a quick start to life at the Theatre of Dreams, Lukaku might go on to win the Golden Boot award – an accolade won by Harry Kane in each of the last two years. The sky really is the limit for Lukaku at United and Red Devils fans are right to be excited.
With Lukaku signed up for the next five years and Marcus Rashford still developing, United have plenty of potential in attacking areas but Mourinho’s men need more if they are going to win the Premier League title.
Reports are suggesting that Zlatan Ibrahimović could return to the club for one more year if United are willing to take a punt on the Sweden icon. Zlatan quickly became a fan favourite at Old Trafford last season but a serious injury cut his time at the club short – although he could sign a new deal in the near future.
Daley Blind on Zlatan Ibrahimovic: “No doubt he would again be another big signing for United & last year he gave a big boost for the team.” pic.twitter.com/YazM5deFpW
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) July 19, 2017
If there is one thing that Ibrahimović guarantees, it is goals. You could claim that Lukaku and Zlatan are too similar but Mourinho will be licking his lips at the prospect of using both big men in the starting line-up.
Just imagine Ibrahimović and Lukaku leading the line for United next season; the Red Devils might be predictable in terms of style but goals would be an absolute certainty. Most supporters are expecting Lukaku to notch at least 20 goals next season and Ibrahimović’s impact should take some of the pressure off his shoulders.
But even with Zlatan, doubts remain over United’s ability to compete on multiple fronts. The Red Devils will need to juggle their Champions League commitments whilst laying down the gauntlet to their domestic rivals in England’s top flight.
Ivan Perisic’s impending arrival from Inter Milan will offer Mourinho a viable option on the wings. Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Juan Mata are capable of doing a job out wide but none are conventional wingers and Perisic should get the best out of Lukaku and Ibrahimovic.
The Red Devils must sign at least two or three more players to give themselves the greatest possible chance of winning silverware this campaign. Heading into the 2017/18 season, the Premier League title has to be Mourinho’s number one priority.
A good European run is an added bonus but winning the domestic crown for the first time since 2013 is the aim. United haven’t won the title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired and Mourinho will be desperate to bring the good times back to Old Trafford.
“We see the Stretford End arising” is a famous quote from one of United’s chants and the Old Trafford faithful will be expecting big things from Mourinho’s men this season.
However, with so many new players to slot in, it could take some time for the Red Devils to gel. At the time of writing, United are a 3/1 shot according to bookmakers on Oddschecker but it may prove prudent to check out any promotions, such as Coral’s free bet offer, before betting on United this campaign.
Defensively, United are fairly solid and Victor Lindelof’s arrival will offer some reassurance to supporters who were worried ahead of the new season. In Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, and now Lindelof, Mourinho has four competent central defenders at his disposal and the Red Devils will be hard to break down if all four play well.
Last term, United had the joint-best defensive record in England’s top flight and it would take a brave man to back against the Red Devils repeating that feat once again. David de Gea looks set to stay at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future and that can only be positive for United’s title chances.
So, who could United sign to bolster the squad further? The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan but he will come at a price. According to various sources, Roma will accept a fee of no lower than £60 million – a figure that might be a little high for United’s liking.
The Belgium star is talented, there’s no doubting that, but Ed Woodward won’t want to pay over the odds for yet another player. United have struggled to command respect in the transfer market in recent years and it might be time for the Red Devils to start holding out for a fairer deal.
Watch our new captain's reaction! Celebrate the news with a night of @Carras16 programming on #MUTV: https://t.co/fXisAc1Uuy pic.twitter.com/aWK4yL9y2j
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 11, 2017
I saw this happen when I heard news about Wayne Rooney was leaving the club. Michael Carrick is a United legend he totally deserved it, but shouldn’t a club captain is someone who plays week in week out?
I am not complaining though. Congratulations Captain Carrick!
Wayne Rooney ended his 13 years brilliant career in Manchester United shirt with a move back to his childhood club Everton. I would wish him all the best of luck for the remaining of his career.
Absolute legend. Thank you Wayne Rooney!