Manchester United roundup- Mourinho eyes ‘next Ronaldo’, Depay wants more minutes and more stories
Oct 5, 2016 at 10:48 AM
Red Devils have had a mixed season so far as they had a bright start to the season and then lost way as they lost three games in a row. The three losses mean that was the first time Jose Mourinho has lost three games consecutively in 14 years when he last had three defeats at Porto in 2002.
However, the club has won their EFL cup tie against Northampton 3-1 away and were drawn against Manchester City in the next round. The Red Devils have also made an great performance against Premier League champions Leicester City as they won comprehensively with a 4-1 margin but have again looked poor against Stoke City this week after dopping points. Here we look all the stories around Manchester United today.
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is tipping teenager Marcus Rashford to become a ‘superstar’ in the future for both club and country. The 18-year old have been highly impressive since his debut in February as he managed an impressive 12 goals in his first 25 games.
‘I think Marcus is doing fantastic,’ said Rooney.
‘He is probably one of the most exciting players in world football, young players, at the minute. I am sure if he keeps working hard and developing he’ll be a superstar.
‘He’s been fantastic since he got into the Manchester United squad and he’s carried that on again this season so he fully deserves his chance to be in the squad and to play.
‘And I’m sure if he does that he will take his opportunity. It’s important with exciting young players that they get the rewards they deserve and I think he deserves it.’
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera is full of praise for striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the Swede’s 35th birthday.
He said: “If you saw a game and you didn’t know Zlatan’s age, you could think he was only 28 or 29 and that is good for us.
“He’s an example for every one of us. I am not young, not old, I’m in the middle and he is an example for me as well. When you behave as a professional. You can still be at a top club at 35.”
The 35-year old has so far scored six goals for Manchester United this season after moving to the club for free earlier this summer.
He added: “He is very, very aggressive and demanding but in a good way because every day he wants to win every training session and he wants everyone with him to win to keep working, so we are very lucky to have Zlatan with us.
“The way he trains, even before the training session — he is always stretching, taking care of his body, so that is the way a professional player has to behave.
“But I cannot forget Wayne [Rooney] as well. He’s a top player, the same as Zlatan in every training session. Michael Carrick as well. We can’t forget Michael, Wayne, Ashley Young — they all train hard every day.”
Manchester United are interested in signing Benfica starlet Goncalo Guedes, according to the Daily Mirror. The 19-year old is tipped to be the next big thing in Portugal and he has been scouted by Manchester United last weekend.
The 19-year old has started to play as a central forward after starting his career as a wide-man for the club.
Manchester United winger Memphis Depay feels he needs more minutes under his belt as he confirmed the manager believes in him. However, Mourinho has so far handed only a single start for the Dutchman this season as he started against Northampton in their EFL clash.
“Things are going well on the training pitch,” Depay told Metro. “I am fresh and fit. Mourinho is a great coach. He has told me he believes in me, both in person, but also publicly.
“I would rather not talk about last season. That is something of the past. I should have performed better. Being a fringe player is not the role I want.
“I am not happy just because I play for Manchester United. This is my dream club, but I still want to play.”
Jose Mourinho feels Anthony Martial’s dip in form is due to his problems in his private life. The 20-year old has arguably been the best player for the Red Devils last season but have not played a major role under new manager Mourinho.
However, he has scored his first goal of the season against Stoke City in their 1-1 draw last weekend. The manager feels off-field distractions have affected his game-play this season, according to The Guardian.