Mourinho: Lindelof Adapting Well

Jose Mourinho has praised Victor Lindelof for the way the defender has adapted to the Manchester United defence.

United made it three Premier League victories on the bounce with their 4-2 success over Watford and Lindelof impressed with a composed performance.

Lindelof, who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer after a big-money move from Benfica, struggled to settle in the opening weeks of the campaign but has started United's last three league fixtures and dealt with the threat posed by Andre Gray and Richarlison for the majority of the contest at Vicarage Road.

"I think Richarlison is a very good player and a difficult player to play against but Victor is very fast," Mourinho told MUTV.

"He has adapted to play centrally but also to go to the sides because he's got the agility that many of the central defenders don't have. I think it was another very positive performance by Victor."

Mourinho's side moved to within five points of leaders Manchester City and despite a second-half collapse where Watford scored twice within seven minutes, Lindelof showed why he has established himself in the starting line-up.

Another player to have impressed Mourinho is Anthony Martial, who has battled with Marcus Rashford for a starting spot this season.

The France forward scored the third against Watford, his sixth Premier League goal of the season, but Mourinho believes the 21-year-old has more to offer.

"I am pleased," Mourinho said of Martial's performance. "I think he suffers a little bit with accumulation of matches. I could feel that in the second half he was going down and down and down.

"He's still a young guy and his body, his biological situation has space to improve but in the first half, during the time, he had strength and explosion in his legs. He was dangerous and scored an important goal."

Credit: Skysports.com

Gary Neville: Man. United Need Lukaku To Deliver Against Arsenal And Man City

Looking to Lukaku

I don't think Jose Mourinho will be worried about Romelu Lukaku's lack of goals, but I think ultimately he's got two big games coming up.

He was brought in to score goals in the games which United were drawing last season. However, it is in the big matches where they now need him most. If there is a way to get at Arsenal and Manchester City then it is by really going at their defences.

For a striker, it is all about your goals and unfortunately, people will always measure him by that, but away from the goals his contribution has to be big, to mess their centre-halves about.

He's had his struggles but ultimately that was always going to happen at some point after his blistering start, but this is a critical stage of the season where he has to deliver.

Handling the pressure

Lukaku gets more chances created for him but he's also under more pressure, so misses get scrutinised, and rightly so, but these are the games where he can silence his critics.

Social media is never a measurement of real Manchester United fans and the fans in the ground. At Old Trafford, against Manchester City, they will be fully behind him.

I don't see Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a threat to Lukaku at all but as a supplement. The only way Ibrahimovic can become number one is if the aura of Zlatan gets to Lukaku.

Zlatan is confident but Lukaku is number one, the fans and the manager believe in him and if he does have any demons then he needs to clear them from his mind.

Time to gain ground

I was a little bit worried as a Manchester United fan this week with Watford and Arsenal away, and felt we couldn't go into the derby any further behind Manchester City, so it was a big win on Tuesday night.

Watford is a tough place to go and now United need to focus on the Arsenal game where they will face a team who have built up some momentum at the Emirates with 12 straight wins.

One thing for certain is that United have to win the derby. In terms of the title race, they have to damage them and really disrupt their rhythm.

I was at Huddersfield on Super Sunday and there was a title-winning mentality about them. Sometimes you don't play at your best and the other team are frustrating, but you still get the three points, those are the sort of signs you look for in champions. Pep Guardiola eluded to it, over the years Sir Alex Ferguson's sides had that mentality.

How to halt City

Old Trafford is a ground where runs can come to end, as Arsenal's Invincibles' run did. The season is really coming to a head and it is a big two or three weeks. United have to be closer to City than they are now when we head into Christmas.

United will be more measured against City, you can't be open against them, but you also have to put pressure on them. Pep's City have been wonderful, playing fantastic football, and that has to be stopped somehow.

To go away to Old Trafford is the biggest test they'll have had. It's an intriguing and exciting game, one in the back of everybody's mind already.

United have done well when you look at their points tally. Any other season 32 points after 14 games would put them in a fantastic position, so it is more about City being fantastic than United not doing well.

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Young Achieves Rare Feat In Watford Win

Ashley Young joined an exclusive goalscorers club on Tuesday night, as his brace against Watford in the 4-2 win, made him only the third Manchester United player to score a double against their former club in the Premier League.

The full-back's first goal against his boyhood club came 19 minutes into the encounter, as he thumped home Jesse Lingard's pass to hand the Reds an early lead. Young then doubled United's advantage and his personal tally, six minutes later, with a superbly whipped free-kick which left Heurelho Gomes in the Watford goal helpless.

Another man to have netted a double against his former club for the Reds is Andy Cole, and the ex-Newcastle striker did so against the Magpies for United on two separate occasions.

Cole first scored a brace against Newcastle in March of the 1998/99 season, as he fired in Dwight Yorke's knock-down to level the scores, after United had fallen behind to Nobby Solano's opener, before meeting Ryan Giggs's cross to poke home the decisive goal early in the second half.

Then, early in the 1999/00 campaign, Cole repeated the feat, this time scoring four goals in a 5-1 thrashing of his former employers. The striker scored twice either side of the break to hand the Reds an unassailable lead, before Giggs added another late on to compound the managerless Magpies' misery.

Towards the end of the 2011/12 season, a painful game to recall for United involved Wayne Rooney bagging a brace in a 4-4 draw with Everton. The former England captain scored five times in 20 appearances against the Toffees with these strikes coming either side of half-time in a match that had major repercussions in the title race.

We believe Cole, Rooney and Young are the only three United players to have netted twice against their former club in the Premier League, though Eric Cantona did net doubles for the Reds against Sheffield Wednesday on two separate occasions - a club he famously went on trial with before he joined Leeds.

Watford 2 Man. United 4: Talking Points From Vicarage Road

Manchester United survived a second-half fightback from Watford to win 4-2 at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night.

Ashley Young's double and Anthony Martial's cool finish gave the visitors a 3-0 lead at the break before a Troy Deeney penalty and Abdoulaye Doucoure volley set up an exciting finish until Jesse Lingard's fine fourth for United ended the contest.

Here, we round up the talking points from the game…

Brilliant Lingard's magic moment


Jesse Lingard scores some special goals. This one, to stop Watford's remarkable fightback in its tracks, will make his 'best of' montages, along with those wonderful Wembley strikes against Crystal Palace and Leicester.


With the momentum all with Watford and the home fans roaring their team forward in the final minutes as they searched for a third goal in a row to salvage an unlikely point, United needed to hit back. And Lingard delivered a devastating blow.

He picked the ball up midway into his own half and charged forwards. Romelu Lukaku darted to his right but Lingard veered left as he sped away from former United man Tom Cleverley. All alone as he approached the area and with Adrian Mariappa and Christian Kabasele still to beat it looked like Lingard had found a dead end.

Instead, a twist back to the right took him past both Watford men before he clipped a shot across Heurelho Gomes and into the corner. He flexed his muscles in front of the rapturous away fans in celebration. It was breathless. It was brilliant. It was a goal of the season contender. "What a goal," said Jose Mourinho afterwards.

Watford just fall short of stunning comeback

Watford seemed down and out as they trudged off at half-time three goals behind. Shell-shocked by two stunners from Young and Anthony Martial's clinical finish, a painful 45 minutes appeared to await them.

But Silva transformed their mood during the break. "Go out there and play our game, forget the result and play like it is 0-0," he revealed he had told them. With renewed intent, Troy Deeney leading the charge - and United complacent, as Mourinho conceded - Watford put the visitors on the back foot.

A rash challenge from Marcos Rojo on Roberto Pereyra allowed the Watford skipper to pull one back from the penalty spot. Silva felt the United defender should have received a second yellow for the foul but, even against 11 Watford grabbed the upper hand. When Abdoulaye Doucoure volleyed in a second a grandstand finish was on the cards - although Lingard's heroics denied Watford a dramatic finale.

Young at the double on Watford return

After spending 11 years at Watford from the age of 10, Ashley Young was afforded a respectful welcome at Vicarage Road. He didn't repay that generosity on the field. Lashing in a stunning opener from the edge of the box, his salute at the corner flag eventually drew boos. His second goal was even more sweetly struck, a whipped free-kick into the top corner. This time his celebration was even more emphatic; the boos even louder.

The 32-year-old will care little about that - he's in fine form. After his strike against Brighton was deflected in by Lewis Dunk at the weekend, his first two goals of this campaign underlined his impressive season so far, in which he's proved to be a revelation at left wing-back for Jose Mourinho.

His form earned him a recall to the England squad this month after four years out of the national team set up and, as well as his goals on Tuesday, he delivered another fine performance to help United to victory on his former home ground, topping the tables for interceptions and tackles.

"He's playing really well," said Mourinho. "I know what he can do for us and all the positions he can be useful. The left-back position is adapted to him and in this stage of his career, when he has the maturity and tactical knowledge to play in this position."

Watford's wobbles

The three goals Watford shipped in just 13 first-half minutes meant they had a mountain to climb with just over half an hour played. But conceding clusters of goals has become an unwanted trait of this Watford team.

There were the three goals they let in during the final 19 minutes at Chelsea, the 23-minute treble Everton hit against them at Goodison, West Brom's two in three minutes, Man City's three in 10 minutes, and the two in two minutes Liverpool managed at Vicarage Road in August.

When this Watford side go, they go - and on Tuesday night they'd left themselves too much to do when they re-gathered themselves for their second-half assault. Whether it is the manager on the training field or the leaders on the pitch in the moment of crisis, Watford must find a way to snatch some stability when they're on the ropes.

Lukaku needs to find some shooting boots

Mourinho once again praised Lukaku's all-round contribution to his team on Tuesday night. The assist for Martial's goal backed that up, as did his hard work chasing back defensively as Watford put on the pressure.

But his primary purpose is to hit the net - and his frustration in failing to do that is plain to see. Going into this match he'd scored just one in his past 10 games, after netting 11 in his first 10 for Manchester United. With the ominous sight of Zlatan Ibrahimovic warming up on the touchline, the Belgian became more frantic to make a mark.

It was surprising then, that when his best opening came, he stuttered. Marcus Rashford won possession on the edge of the Watford box and fed Lukaku, eight yards out and with time to pick his spot. He hesitated, the defence recovered and blocked his eventual effort. It was the kind of chance he would have lashed in without a second thought earlier in the season. He badly needs one to go in to bring back some confidence in front of goal.

Afterwards, Mourinho made light of his struggles, blaming his lack of a boot sponsor. "I think he needs a brand to give him the right boots and pay him the right money so he goes back to scoring," joked the United boss.

Credit: Skysports.com

Silva" Rojo Should Have Been Sent Off

Marco Silva believes Marcos Rojo should have been sent off in Man Utd's 4-2 win over Watford at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night.

Rojo was already on a booking when he brought down Roberto Pereyra in the box with just under 15 minutes to go, but referee Jon Moss did not dismiss the Argentine.

Troy Deeney stepped up to score from the spot, before Abdoulaye Doucoure brought Watford to within one goal of United at 3-2 with six minutes left, but Silva believes the visitors should have been down to 10 men before that point.

"We scored the first goal from a penalty and for me in that moment it was a second yellow card for Marcos Rojo, with 11 against 10 it would be really difficult for them," Silva said.

"We made it difficult for them because we scored the second goal. Imagine if it was 11 v 10 at that moment. We started to create more problems for them, but then one counter attack from them and we should do different in that moment.

"Tom (Cleverley) went to stop the counter attack, at that moment we should do a tactical foul to stop [Jesse] Lingard because the game would continue to be open until the end if they didn't score the fourth."

Watford started the game brighter at Vicarage Road, and impressed in stages in the second half, but United's quality in front of goal was ultimately telling.

Silva admits the result is hard for him to take, and says his players seemed nervous in parts throughout the game.

He said: "Hard result for us. We started very well, we controlled our opponent well, and in that moment the game is balanced.

"It was really hard for us [after going 3-0 down]. Nobody expected what happened in that moment but against this type of teams we knew before the match they are very strong on the counter attack.

"After the first goal I felt our players were a little bit nervous, the third goal is an example - we had two or three times to deal with the problem and we made easy mistakes. It's not easy the last 15 mins of the first half.

"It was different in the second half, I told my players it wasn't in our image to make lots of mistakes like we did after the first goal."

Credit: Skysports.com

Mourinho Jokes Lukaku 'Needs A Big Boot Contract'

Jose Mourinho joked that Romelu Lukaku "needs a big contract" with a football boot company to get back to his best goalscoring form.

Lukaku has scored one goal in 11 games for Manchester United, and missed a simple chance in the 4-2 win at Watford in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

The Belgian is currently without a boot sponsor, and appeared to colour over the Nike tick on his all-black boots on Tuesday, something Mourinho jokingly referred to after the game.

"I think he needs a big contract with big boots because at the moment he doesn't have a sponsor," Mourinho said. "He's playing with black boots, I think he needs a brand to give him the right boots and pay him the right money so he goes back to scoring.


"He finished the deal and now he's waiting for a new deal."

Mourinho then spoke seriously, adding that there is no pressure on the 24-year-old, as long as he continues to work hard for the team.

"But jokes apart he works amazingly well for the team. I would never blame a player like him for an easy chance that he missed.

"With me he knows that he doesn't have that pressure, he's a great professional, great colleague, I couldn't be happier with him."

Credit: Skysports.com

United Concern Over Matic Injury

Jose Mourinho revealed Nemanja Matic picked up a muscular injury in Man Utd's 4-2 win over Watford on Tuesday.

Midfielder Matic was substituted in the 54th minute at Vicarage Road with the visitors leading 3-0 in the Premier League clash, with Mourinho insisting his side "lost stability" after his departure.

Matic told Mourinho he needed to be taken off, something the manager believes could be telling of the severity of the injury, which will be assessed over the coming days.

"Matic is injured, I don't know how badly," said Mourinho. "For Matic to tell me he wants to be replaced, he does not do that if it is nothing important. It is muscular.

"We lost stability when Nemanja Matic had to come out but the important thing is the three points."

After Ashley Young (2) and Anthony Martial had given United a 3-0 lead, Watford fought their way back into the game with two quickfire goals late on, only for Jesse Lingard's superb solo strike to seal all three points.

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Talking Points From United's Tuesday Triumph

ManUtd.com rounds up the topics arising from Manchester United's fine 4-2 away win over Watford in the Premier League...

LINGARD STAKES AWARD CLAIM

Jesse Lingard not only killed the game - scoring just two minutes after Abdoulaye Doucoure had made it 3-2 with Watford's second strike - but he also threw down the gauntlet for Goal of the Month, if not the Season with an amazing solo run that started deep inside United's half. The no.14 said afterwards: "I just remember picking the ball up and thinking there’s a lot of space on this pitch. There was nothing else on at the time so I felt I had to be direct and go for goal. A lot of their fans were up [at 3-2] and we had to regain our composure and calm down on the ball. I think there were about seven minutes to go [including injury time] and the fourth goal settled us down."

YOUNG'S HAPPY HOMECOMING

It was a night to remember for Ashley Young as he made a triumphant return to Watford, the club where he started his career. Despite his history with the Hornets, he was in no mood to do them any favours and he lashed in a ruthless opening effort before punishing a foul on Paul Pogba near the edge of the box with an unstoppable free-kick. "It was obviously a nice homecoming. I don’t think their fans were too happy about it but it’s one of those things. If I score goals, of course I’m going to celebrate."

FOUR GOALS ONCE AGAIN

The Reds' quartet of cracking strikes - started by Young's double and completed by Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard - means United have now racked up four goals in seven separate matches this season. The overall tally for the season now stands at 49 ahead of the Arsenal game on Sunday, while the number of different scorers has risen to 13 with Young becoming the latest name on that list.

THREE MUSKETEERS AT THE BACK

United's central defensive trio all had reasons to feel positive about their busy night against a strong Watford attack. Victor Lindelof has now started three Premier League games in a row for the first time, Chris Smalling's experience was invaluable in the latter stages under the cosh and Marcos Rojo tasted league action for the first time since April. The Argentinian's rustiness may have been a factor in the foul for the Hornets' penalty but he'll surely still take heart from clocking up the full 90 minutes in a victory.

MARTIAL MATCHES HIS TALLY

Anthony Martial's well-taken finish from the edge of the box in the first half was the irrepressible Frenchman's eighth goal of the season already in all competitions – equalling his tally for the whole of 2016/17. Martial was once again the tormentor in chief, with his pace and trickery causing all sorts of problems to Watford’s back three before he was substituted on 65 minutes. Mourinho admitted afterwards that the recent accumulation of matches had taken its toll on the forward, with the no.11 now starting the last four matches since the international break. But he's taken his game to another level already this term and, if he sustains this, there’s no reason why the 21-year-old cannot emerge as United’s top scorer come the end of the season.

HALF-CENTURY FOR IBRAHIMOVIC

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his 50th appearance for the Reds in all competitions when given a late cameo at Vicarage Road; the veteran striker has now come off the bench in the last four games to ease his way back into action following his remarkable recovery from a serious knee injury. The 35-year-old didn’t have much time to make an impact and is yet to get on the scoresheet since his return but has already given the squad a huge boost. The Swede will soon be ready to start games again and he will give Mourinho another striking option which will be most welcome during a hectic December schedule.

Mourinho Thrilled By Vicarage Road Victory

Jose Mourinho feels his Manchester United side could have scored more goals in Tuesday night's thrilling 4-2 win over Watford.

The Reds survived a late scare to secure a vital three points in an entertaining game at Vicarage Road as Ashley Young scored twice against his former club and Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were also on target.

Here are the manager's main comments from his post-match interviews and press conference…

COULD HAVE BEEN SEVEN
“We should have scored seven. We were very dangerous for 90 minutes, I think, and we had a chance to score in the first half and kill the game and we had also a chance at 3-0 to control the game because 3-0 is more than enough to win but we lost concentration and gave them life. We gave them life with the first goal and then we were a couple of minutes with normal fear and pressure of losing the points.”

EASY TO SCORE IN SECOND HALF
“The second half should have been five or six-nil and it was even easier to score goals in the second half than in the first but we missed these chances and this is football. Out of nothing, penalty and 3-1 and then the game is a different one. But it’s a match to win comfortably and in the end at 3-2 the game is in a grey zone and Jesse [Lingard] had that fantastic initiative and killed the game.”

QUALITY GOALS AND GREAT CHANCES
“Great goals and we missed a [chance to make it] 4-0 also in a great action at the end of the first half and in the second half we had a great high pressure to recover the ball high and [Romelu] Lukaku also had that one with an open goal and [Paul] Pogba’s header is also a free header. We had lots of chances which came out of nothing, but 3-1 and then the game is different.”

YOUNG IN FINE FORM
"He was good. He’s playing well. I know the positions where he can be useful for us. This left-back position is adapted to him at this point in this career. I am surprised that Paul [Pogba] gave him permission [for the free-kick for the second goal]. In training, his conversion rate [from free-kicks] is high but we have other options and sometimes he doesn’t take but probably today, after his first goal, he had the confidence. Paul [Pogba] let him have the option to take and it was a beautiful goal, yeah.”

WATFORD’S APPROACH
“They are full of confidence, they have nothing to lose, they are a team that has no pressure, they play the way they do. For them to lose 3-0 or lose 5-0 is exactly the same, so after the 3-1, they come into the game and there were a few minutes where we should be smoking cigars but certainly we were a big team in trouble.”

LUKAKU’S PERFORMANCE
“I think he needs a big contract with boots. At the moment, he has no contract with any brand, that is why he is wearing black boots! Jokes apart, he works amazingly well for the team. I would never blame him for missing an easy chance, never. He's an amazing professional. I couldn't be happier with him."

PLEASED WITH MARTIAL’S CONTRIBUTION
“Yes, I am pleased. I think he suffers a little bit with accumulation of matches. I could feel that in the second half he was going down and down and down. He’s still a young guy and his body, his biological situation has space to improve but in the first half, during the time, he had strength and explosion in his legs. He was dangerous and [scored] an important goal.”

LINDELOF KEPT RICHARLISON QUIET
“I think Richarlison is a very good player and a difficult player to play against but Victor is very fast and he’s adapted to play centrally but also to go to the sides because he’s got the agility that many of the central defenders don’t have. I think it was another very positive performance by Victor.”

Premier League: Watford 2 Man. United 4

Manchester United netted four goals on the road - including two in six minutes from Ashley Young - to see off Watford and keep the pressure on rivals Manchester City.

Anthony Martial's fine first-half finish made it 3-0 for half-time and Jessie Lingard's stunning second-half solo goal ensured the Reds shrugged off an attempted comeback from the Hornets.

This victory, United's third successive win in the Premier League, reduced the gap at the top to five points, ahead of City’s game against Southampton on Wednesday night.

Jose Mourinho's men went ahead with the first shot of the match. Having seen his deflected strike go down as an own goal against Brighton at the weekend, there was no doubt that it was Young’s goal this time. Jessie Lingard picked out fellow England international Young on the edge of the area, who sweetly hit a right-footed half volley beyond Heurelho Gomes.

A little over five minutes later, Young grabbed his and United’s second goal, a direct free-kick curled beautifully into the top left-hand corner. The chance came after Abdoulaye Doucoure brought down Paul Pogba with a combination of a shirt pull and a poorly timed tackle. Up stepped Young to punish the foul and leave the home crowd stunned.

The travelling fans had only just settled down when Gomes was once again picking the ball out of the net. Romelu Lukaku was the provider, knocking the ball down to Martial for the Frenchman to strike home with his eighth goal of the season in all competitions - equalling his entire tally for 2016/17.

Young was no doubt picturing a first-half hat-trick when Adrian Mariappa fouled Martial in almost an identical position to his earlier free-kick, but this time he was unable to clear the Watford wall.

Mourinho’s side would have gone in four up at the break if not for a fine double save by Gomes. Having been afforded both time and space, Lukaku drove an effort on goal and the resulting save looked to be falling kindly to Lingard, but by the time it had reached him, Gomes was back on his feet and impressively turned it over the crossbar.

The last action of an incident-packed first half was to fall to the hosts in the second minute of added time, Kiko Femina crossing to Richarlison, who headed onto and over the bar.

Both sides battled hard to begin the second period, but it took a while for the game to open up again as it had done in the first forty-five.

Watford substitute Troy Deeney pulled one back for Marco Silva’s side when referee Jon Moss adjudged Marcus Rojo to have brought down Roberto Pereyra in the penalty area. Deeney confidently finished from twelve yards as he sent David De Gea the wrong way.

Watford were back within a goal of United after Doucoure finished from inside the area, but any hopes of a comeback were short-lived when, two minutes later, Lingard dribbled forward from inside his own half and secured the points with a composed finish.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on for Lingard in the closing stages to make his 50th appearance for the Reds but a goal from the Swede was not required to seal the richly-deserved triumph.

THE LINE-UPS

Watford: Gomes (c); Mariappa, Prodl (Carrillo 58), Kabasele; Femenia, Cleverly, Doucoure, Hughes, Zeegelaar; Huges (Pereyra 58), Richarlison; Gray (Deeney 72).

Subs not used: Karnezis, Wague, Janmaat, Capoue.

Booked: Doucoure, Mariappa.

United: De Gea; Valencia (c), Lindelof, Smalling, Rojo, Young; Matic (Herrera 54), Pogba; Lingard (Ibrahimovic 88), Lukaku, Martial (Rashford 65).

Subs not used: Romero, Darmian, McTominay, Mata.

Booked: Rojo.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR UNITED?

The Reds have another away trip this week in the Premier League and will hope to extend the winning run, at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (2 December) against Arsenal in the evening kick-off (17:30 GMT).

Lindelof Loving Life In Manchester

Victor Lindelof claimed a Man-of-the-Match award on Saturday and helped keep a clean sheet as Manchester United ran out 1-0 winners over Brighton, and the defender says he is feeling more and more comfortable every day.

The Swede is loving life as a Red since making the summer move from Benfica and is confident he's making good progress.

Before the match with Brighton, Lindelof sat down with United Review to discuss his time at the club so far, the return of Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo, and why everyone is relishing the busy festive period...

Our home form has been outstanding this season hasn’t it and we set a new record after the win over Newcastle…
It gives us a lot of confidence when we play at Old Trafford and I think we have to keep that going and keep performing the way we have been doing. It’s our home and we have our fans behind us and that gives us a lot of strength.

There were some very big positives on top of the result against Newcastle with the return to the squad of Pogba, Ibra and Rojo – how much of a boost has that been for everyone?
They’re very good players and very important for us so it’s great to have them back. Paul started the game and showed his qualities right away. Zlatan came on with about 15 minutes left and he’s a fantastic player and very important as well for the team, both on the pitch and off it. They give us a lot of strength and it’s great to have all three of them back.

What quality of Paul's do you most admire?
It’s hard to pick one thing, he’s just a fantastic player and also such a nice guy. When he has the ball, the vision he shows and the things he can do with the ball are brilliant. It’s very important to have a player like that in the midfield who can create things from nowhere.

His goal celebration went down well. Is he the best dancer in the team?!
I think so! I think we have a few good dancers, but he’s one of the best! [Smiles]

Your fellow countryman Zlatan received a tremendous ovation when he made his return against Newcastle – how big is his presence in the dressing room as well as on the pitch?
He’s a very important player and has been at the top, top level for a very long time and has a lot of experience. You can learn a lot from him. When he speaks you listen and you try to learn as much as possible. The way he has come back from his injury has been incredible to watch and I’m very happy for him.

Does it help you personally having a fellow Swede in the dressing room?
It’s always nice to have a friend from Sweden and it’s great to have Zlatan here for me. I played a little bit with him for the national team but it’s different here because we see each other every day. He’s a very nice guy and he helps me a lot.

How do you feel you’ve settled in at the club?
It feels good. Every day that goes by I feel more and more comfortable here and I’m enjoying the city and meeting the people here too. Everyone around the club is very nice and my team-mates have been great. I really feel like I am getting to know the place better and better every day.

What have been the biggest changes to playing for Benfica?
Obviously, the league here is much tougher than Portugal. Over there, you have good teams but you have the top teams that are always the favourites in every game and winning almost every game. Here, it’s much more difficult and you have tough games every week – that’s the biggest the change, the competitiveness you have in the league.

The manager always speaks in a complimentary way about you - does that give you extra confidence?
Yes, it does and I like him a lot. He’s a very good coach, in my opinion, the best in the world and, for me to be able to work with him, is a pleasure. All of the staff and coaches as well, they are great and I am learning a lot from them. I’m just trying to do my best to work hard every day and listen to them because they know a lot about football, so it’s about listening and learning.

Zlatan's return adds to a pretty frightening forward line - how good are our attacking options and how enjoyable is it to sit behind them and watch them go?
They are world class. The things they can do with the ball and the speed and strength they have… it’s a joy to watch. We have fantastic players and it must be tough for the manager to pick a team because we have a very good squad and now with the players coming back from injury there is a really good depth to the squad. That’s really important now as we have a lot of games coming up.

We’re eight points behind City but there is still so long to go. Are you confident we can close the gap and continue to challenge for the title?
There are a lot of good teams in the league and we’re very confident we can do well. We just have to keep working hard every day and during the games we have to be really focused and do the things we know we can do.

Finally, there are so many matches coming up in the next few weeks, are you looking forward to showing what you can do and where the team can go?
Yes. The games are the most fun part of football. Training is fun also, but you play football to play the games, that’s the best part of it. We have a lot of games coming up and we have to be focused on the recovery between games so that the body can be 100 per cent ready. As I said before, we have a very good squad with a lot of depth and good players. We’ve made a good start in every competition, now we just want to keep on going and do our best.

Lukaku Facing No Disciplinary Action For Gaetan Bong Clash

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku will face no further action for his clash with Brighton's Gaetan Bong on Saturday, Sky Sports News understands.

Lukaku appeared to kick out at Bong on two occasions just before Ashley Young's shot deflected off Lewis Dunk for what proved to be the winning goal in United's 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

The Belgium international was left sweating on possible retrospective action as the incident was missed by referee Neil Swarbrick and his team of assistants.

That meant it was referred to a three-man panel of former officials, which has to find a unanimous decision if a player is to be charged.

However, Sky Sports News understands that the panel could not agree that an offence was committed and Lukaku therefore avoids what could have been a three-game ban for violent conduct.

The December 10 derby clash with Manchester City was among the games Lukaku could have missed had he been sanctioned.

Credit: Skysports.com

Young Predicting Tough Test On Return To Watford

Ashley Young is expecting a difficult night when Manchester United face his former club Watford on Tuesday night.

The United wing-back began his career at Vicarage Road and was with the Hornets for 11 years after joining the youth system as a 10-year-old.

Young eventually left for Aston Villa in 2007 but he retains fond memories of his time with the Hertfordshire club, who are eighth in the Premier League following consecutive victories against West Ham and Newcastle.

"Of course I love going back there. I was there from when I was 10 to 21," said Young.

"I still do know a few [there] and I've still got friends who work there. I talk to them now and again and see how things are going.

"It is where I plied my trade as a kid and I learned the game in my early years so it is always nice to go back there - but it will be even better if we go back there and get three points.

"It's going to be a tough game. The place has changed in the years since I left.

"They are doing well in the league so we know it is going to be another tough game."

United lost 3-1 at Vicarage Road last season and Jose Mourinho will be keen not to slip up this time as they look to keep in touch with league leaders and local rivals Manchester City.

Credit: Skysports.com

Team News For United's Clash At Watford

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is preparing his troops for Tuesday's Premier League clash at Watford and considering his options.

The Reds have named the same starting XI for our previous two domestic fixtures, the home wins over Newcastle United and Brighton, but a tricky game on the road against the impressive Hornets may prompt a change.

Marcos Rojo, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all back in the frame, of course, and Michael Carrick has revealed he is close to a return following a heart procedure. There could be a hope Eric Bailly is available soon with Phil Jones also on the road to recovery after aggravating an injury on international duty with England.

The boss may tighten things up after expressing some concern at the space allowed to Newcastle and Brighton, and commenting after the game: "It was difficult for Pobga and [Nemanja] Matic to press. Marcus [Rashford] and [Anthony] Martial, [are] without the tactical knowledge that another player has to close the spaces in between the full-back and winger so, even with Paul, we were a little bit in trouble."

Pogba played the full 90 minutes on Saturday, even though Mourinho still thinks he is building his way up to full fitness, while the Hornets can call upon centre-forward Troy Deeney after he served a three-match ban. Younes Kaboul, Isaac Success, Nathaniel Chalobah and former Red Craig Cathcart have all been sidelined of late, but Kiko Feminia proved his fitness at Newcastle, in an impressive 3-0 win for Marco Silva's men.

"Against Watford [last season], I was very upset with their first goal after someone put Martial in the hospital and the referee let it go," said the manager. "That is the reason why I was very upset.

"I think Watford have made progress. I think they have a squad full of very good players, that are not normal to be a mid-table team. They have a good coach and they improved a lot from last season."

Players Returning Makes Us Stronger

Manchester United stars Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera have heralded the importance of key men returning from injury as the Reds head into a hectic schedule of fixtures.

Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo have all made their respective comebacks from injury in recent matches, and Pogba and Ibrahimovic both featured in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford, while Rojo was an unused substitute. And it hopefully won't be long before Michael Carrick returns following his statement about his health on Friday.

Rashford – who played 79 minutes against the Seagulls before being replaced by Marouane Fellaini - admitted it’s difficult seeing your team-mates on the treatment table, but having them back on the pitch has given everyone a boost.

"Not even just thinking about football, but thinking about them personally too, it’s hard to see your team-mates out for so long," he told MUTV. "To have them all back now has brought a really happy vibe to the squad.

"I’m sure they’re all really happy to be back playing again, and if we can keep winning with them in the team, it keeps everything rolling on."

Herrera was also keen to emphasise the importance of having a fully fit squad: "It’s great to have them back and, with them [in the squad], we are stronger," he said. "Marcos was amazing against Basel – you cannot see the difference between before the injury and now, he's worked fantastically hard to come back.

"Zlatan is going step by step because the injury he had was even worse, and Mike [Carrick] is going to be back soon, too. With them, we are stronger, and, with them back, we are optimistic of fighting for every title this season."

The Spanish midfielder has made 17 appearances this term, and he confessed he is relishing this busy spell, which will give everyone in the squad a chance to make their mark.

"I think it’s the best thing you can have," he said. "As a footballer, you want to play as many games as possible, you want to be part of the team always. We have a lot of players, a lot of quality and a lot of games, so it’s fantastic for all of us."

Rashford agreed, adding: "It's great to have all the games and, while we prefer to take it one game at a time when it’s so busy, by the time it gets to Christmas, it calms down a bit and you can start to see pathways to certain tournaments and certain trophies."

Monday Briefing: 8 Talking Points For Reds

Your Monday Briefing is here to provide a one-stop round-up of the Manchester United news, views and events from the weekend…

1: UNITED 1 BRIGHTON 0
That’s the obvious place to start following Saturday’s Premier League win at Old Trafford, which maintained this season’s unbeaten home record and also chalked up a 13th clean sheet of the campaign in all competitions. The winner was initially attributed to Ashley Young, but his deflected strike was later credited as an own goal from Lewis Dunk (who is now the first-ever player in Premier League history to score an own goal against United and Manchester City in a single season).

2: LINDELOF WAS MAN OF THE MATCH
There are often turning points, single moments in a match, when fans look back and think ‘that kickstarted his career’. The Old Trafford faithful possibly witnessed that moment when Victor Lindelof arrived with a crunching, but fair, challenge on Anthony Knockaert. It was part of an excellent performance from the Swede, who claimed our Man of the Match award with 57 per cent of votes cast.

3: THREE RIVALS DROPPED POINTS
Tottenham Hotspur were held to a shock 1-1 draw by Gary Megson’s West Bromwich Albion at Wembley Stadium, before Chelsea and Liverpool also drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, rendering our win over Brighton to be even more important. Elsewhere, current leaders Manchester City came from behind to beat Huddersfield Town 2-1, and Arsenal won 1-0 away at Burnley.

4: CARRICK OFFERED COACHING ROLE
There are two parts to this story: the first involves a statement that Michael released late on Friday night, which revealed the club captain has been suffering from an irregular heart rhythm and recently underwent a procedure called Cardiac Ablation. Thankfully, he expects to be back soon.

Then, when asked about Carrick’s situation at the post-match press conference on Saturday night, Jose Mourinho admitted he has approached the midfielder about a future role within his backroom team. “He knows that my coaching staff has the chair for him if he wants,” the manager said. “When he wants the chair, it is there in the office for him. I want that, the board wants that and the owners want that. So Michael is in a comfortable situation. His future will be with us.”

5: CLUB BEHIND RAINBOW LACES CAMPAIGN
The club is taking part in Stonewall’s fortnight of action and on Saturday supported the Rainbow Laces initiative. Ahead of kick-off, the players lined up in front of rainbow branding, which was also mirrored on plinths and the substitutions board. Dedicated LED pitchside messages were also shown at Old Trafford throughout the match, while our club social channels marked the occasion using the rainbow theme; an icon commonly shared within the LGBT community.

6: UNDER-18S LOST THE DERBY
Our youngsters slipped to a first league defeat since the opening day of the season at City’s Etihad Campus, and the reverse also means that the Blues have leapfrogged Kieran McKenna’s lads to capture top spot in the table. The only positive was a goal for the returning Tanith Chong.

7: 25 YEARS OF CANTONA
Believe it or not, Sunday marked the 25-year anniversary of Eric joining United from Leeds and we celebrated the occasion on ManUtd.com by sharing the dressing room stories of his former team-mates Gary Pallister, Paul Scholes, Lee Sharpe, Andy Cole, Bryan Robson and Roy Keane. If you haven’t read them already, it is definitely worth taking a look to brighten up your start to the week.

8: PEREIRA IN CONTROVERSIAL DRAW
Andreas Pereira made his 12th appearance of the season, as a 82nd-minute substitute, as loan club Valencia secured a 1-1 draw with Barcelona. The game was in the news after the away side were controversially denied a goal when Lionel Messi's shot squirmed through the gloves of goalkeeper Neto and over the line, only for the referee to wave play on. There is no goal-line technology in Spanish football.

Mata: Balanced Preparations Are Key

Each and every Monday during the season, Manchester United ace Juan Mata pens a personal blog. In his latest entry, the Spaniard reflects on victory over Brighton and looks ahead to clashes with Watford and Arsenal...

Hi everyone,

The week is off to a busy start, as on Tuesday we face Watford. So, we have to recover quickly and get ready for the game - there is no time to waste. Actually, this is one of the main challenges for football clubs nowadays; finding the right balance between the work after and before games when you only have three or four days in between each match.

Tomorrow's game is going to be really difficult, because Watford are one of the toughest teams to beat in the Premier League right now, you just have to take a look at their results this season. The truth is, as you know, that every game in the Premier League can get complicated. For example, on Saturday, Brighton made things very, very difficult for us. It wasn't our best performance of the season, that's for sure, but we got the three points.

Only four days after facing Watford we will travel to London again, this time to play against Arsenal. So, we have two consecutive away games that will require us to be at the top of our game. I feel that the whole squad is absolutely focused on this goal, and that's a key factor because with so many fixtures coming up, we need to have the entire squad ready to be involved.

In this sense I want to dedicate a few lines to Michael Carrick, a great team-mate who has gone through a few complicated weeks, and now he's ready to help the team again from the pitch. We are very happy about that fact, he's a great professional and his behaviour is an example to all of us. I'm sure that his elegant football will help us a lot during the rest of the season.

This past Sunday also marked the 25th anniversary to the day that Eric Cantona arrived at Manchester United. He’s a true legend, and his personality makes him an idol to all the United fans, even today. He was a different kind of player, an artist - I would've loved to have shared a dressing room with him. I have a great admiration for Eric.

Have a nice week.

Hugs,

Juan

Credit: Manutd.com

Mourinho Praises Lukaku's 'Fantastic' Attitude At Manchester United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists he does not care if Romelu Lukaku is struggling for goals as his relentless work rate makes up for it.

The Belgium international has scored just once in his last 10 games for United, although they have continued to pick up points despite his poor form in front of goal.

An Ashley Young strike looped in off Lewis Dunk as Mourinho's side laboured to a 1-0 win over Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday but the Portuguese says he is unconcerned at his striker's current travails.

"In the last minute he was fighting and running back like he was in the first minute, so I think it is also a mentality question," Mourinho said of Lukaku.

"The way Romelu wins the corner for the goal, the way Romelu ends the game making tackles in the left-back position - that is the mentality I want.

"Unfortunately, not every player is the same. Players are men, men are different. Men are unique cases.

"Some guys are capable to go into the limits of their efforts and some other guys even with a lot of talent, they don't manage to do that.

"So Romelu, for me, [is] fantastic. Didn't score, I don't care."

Mourinho has been critical of some United fans in recent weeks but he was keen to praise their support against Brighton.

"Honestly, it is quite a surprise for me but I think the supporters were fantastic," Mourinho added.

"We had matches at home where we played really, really well and they were a bit soft.

"They were behind the team. The team was not playing well, the team was 0-0, they support the team, they support the players.

"Then in the last part of the game, at home at Old Trafford we had problems against Brighton, a newly promoted team, and the supporters were behind the team.

"They support the team, they support the players, so also really happy with them."

Credit: Skysports.com

Neville Assesses PL Title Race

Gary Neville believes the Premier League title race is between the two Manchester clubs ahead of their derby showdown in two weeks, live on Sky Sports.

Manchester City maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the table with a 2-1 victory over Huddersfield on Sunday, while Manchester United also kept pace with a 1-0 win against Brighton.

With the two sides set to do battle at Old Trafford in the first Manchester derby of the season on December 10, Neville says that United are the most capable challengers and need to keep the hope that City could slip up at any moment.

"It definitely does [remain a Manchester duel for the title]. At this moment in time, it is United who are closest to Man City but I don't think Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal or Chelsea are right this season," he said on the Gary Neville Podcast.

"Man Utd are certainly the most capable, I think, to mount a challenge to Man City but it's about getting close enough to them. At the moment, Man City's performances are really good, it's a high level.

"But you have to retain hope if you're Man Utd and think that something could happen in a couple of weeks' time in that Manchester derby that could start a run of results that will put doubt in Man City's mind, that's the only way United can be thinking.

"They certainly have to beat Man City themselves. One thing you can't do it ask other teams to take points from them when you can't go and do it yourself so United have that chance in a few weeks.

"United should not be further away by the time that game comes around in two weeks. Man Utd have got Watford away on Tuesday night before Arsenal on Saturday, while Man City have West Ham and Southampton at home in those two matches.

"So at this moment in time, if you're Man Utd going into that game in two weeks' time and you are still eight points away, I think they would be really happy because they've got two very tough games. Man City on paper, with the way they've been playing, you think would get the six points.

"At the moment, the pressure is all on the other teams because the other teams have to get close to Man City and that's the real problem. I think for United, they have to win at Watford and Arsenal.

"They have to make sure they stay close enough to Man City because it won't be complacency that costs this Man City team, but it could be pressure as it builds through December, January, February if another team can get close to them.

"But over the next few weeks, you could say Man City will be further in front if you look at the fixtures that both Manchester clubs have."

It was a tough test for Man City at the John Smith's Stadium on Sunday, with a late goal from Raheem Sterling sealing another win for the visitors, and Neville believes it is an important victory for them.

"From a Man City point of view, this was a big, big result today. This was the sort of big test," he added.

"The gap could have gone down to five points against Huddersfield who have had a good season so far - they beat Man Utd at home - and you saw the celebration at the end from the Man City staff and players. It wasn't a celebration of a team who thought it was going to be an easy game. They got through it.

"It has been a really high level of performance from Man City so far this season but there is a long way to go. Pep Guardiola, the players and the fans won't be thinking that they've got it in the bag by a long stretch."

Credit: Skysports.com

Was The Linesman Right To Award Manchester United A Corner?

Chris Hughton believed the linesman got a key decision wrong in Brighton's defeat at Manchester United.

Hughton was left frustrated as he felt United should not have been awarded the corner which led to their winner when Solly March and Romelu Lukaku battled for the ball during Saturday's Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

United were also indebted to a heavily fortunate winning goal - credited as a Lewis Dunk own goal - as they scraped past the newly promoted side.

Hughton said: "My view at the time was that it wasn't a corner. When the linesman gave it, I presumed he must've seen something but looking again, it wasn't a corner.

"What touched him was Lukaku's foot. I hope I haven't got it wrong but when you see it again, it's not a corner. But we did have an opportunity to clear the ball before that and there is still a bit to happen after that."

Credit: Skysports.com

Carrick To Be Offered Coaching Role

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed he will be offering Michael Carrick a role on the coaching staff.

The club captain released a statement on Friday night saying he has undergone a heart procedure called a cardiac ablation and that he will soon be available for selection.

Mourinho, speaking after the 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, suggested the 36-year-old will continue as a player this season before having a decision to make on his future. After taking his coaching badges and working with the youngsters at the Aon Training Complex, it is clear the midfielder could take this step at a later date.

"Michael, as a person, is more important than Michael as a player," said the boss. "We gave him the time to relax, to recover, to feel confident, to make the decision [when he] wants to play, [when he] wants to stop. 

"He knows that my coaching staff has the chair for him if he wants. When he wants the chair, it is there in the office for him. I want that, the board wants that and the owner wants that. So Michael is in a comfortable situation. His future will be with us. 

"But he wants to be a player until the end of the season and now he feels confident to be back and now he is training back with us. So [he is] one more option for us, we need players and Michael wants to play so I am happy with that."

Lindelof Kickstarts His United Career

There are often turning points, single moments in a match, when fans look back and think ‘that kickstarted his career’.

The Old Trafford faithful possibly witnessed that exact moment on Saturday when Victor Lindelof arrived – in more ways than one – with a crunching, but fair, challenge on Anthony Knockaert which seemed to help inspire the Reds to defeat Brighton.

The crowd roared in appreciation of a player who, in truth, has taken time to settle in his opening five months in the Premier League. It lifted the whole atmosphere and the supporters helped the Reds get over the line.

"It think it was a good challenge," he said. "It was a 50/50 ball and I just thought I have to win this ball and I did. We are delighted with the clean sheet, we are always trying to do a good defensive job, and trying not to concede goals. We did do that today and that was very good for us."

Lindelof came in for criticism in some quarters in a couple of his opening outings for the Reds but his Man-of-the Match performance against Brighton and, in particular, the memorable tackle on Knockaert earned rave reviews from two former United stars who believe it could be the turning point he needs.

Former defender David May told MUTV after the win: "The tackle kickstarted him. I thought he was one of our best players and I think it's the best game he has played for us."

Lou Macari also added: "It was tough to begin with but he's starting to show what he's got and long may that continue.”

Lindelof’s talent has never been in question. He starred in Sweden’s recent World Cup qualification, keeping Italy’s attacking riches at bay, twice, but Jose Mourinho has admitted in recent months that the 23-year-old will need time to adapt to the physical challenges and pace of the Premier League.

But patience is a rare commodity in modern football. Many will forget a certain Nemanja Vidic, who was signed from Spartak Moscow in 2006 and made his debut, along with Patrice Evra, in the Manchester derby. Both had a day to forget - Evra was hauled off at half-time - as United were beaten 4-1. 

Vidic and Evra were given the time to adapt and as we all know, went on to become United legends. History suggests Lindelof deserves the same time to prove his worth and the fans were in agreement this weekend.

Some 57 per cent of votes went for the centre-back, with Ashley Young second on 37 per cent and Nemanja Matic in third on six per cent.

Young Expects To Have Goal Taken Off Him

Ashley Young has conceded that he expects his first goal for 18 months to be taken off him and instead be recorded as an own goal by Lewis Dunk.

United were struggling to break down a resolute Brighton & Hove Albion side before Young's powerful shot deflected off Dunk and looped past Matthew Ryan in the 66th minute.

The left-back was happier the team claimed the three points to close the gap on Manchester City, who play on Sunday at Huddersfield Town, and accepted he may not yet be off the mark for 2017/18.

“I’m trying to [claim the goal]," he told MUTV. "But it’s been given away as an own goal already. You just have to try to shoot and get it on target but it’s more important to get the three points."

Young's shot may have been going off target before hitting Dunk, even if team-mate Victor Lindelof felt it should go to his colleague. "I think it was Ashley’s goal," he said. "He did good work!"

The England international was more concerned with the upcoming schedule as the busy spell continues for Jose Mourinho's men.

"It was massively important to start the week with a victory, especially when you’re at home. We wanted to get the week off in the right way and we got the three points, when you get three points you’re delighted with it."

If it does officially go down as a Dunk own goal, it will make him the first player in Premier League history to put through his own net against both United and Manchester City in the same season. The victory against Brighton means the Red Devils have gone 39 games in all competitions without defeat at the Theatre of Dreams, last losing to City in September 2016.

United travel to Watford, one of Young's former clubs, on Tuesday night before facing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium next weekend.

Mourinho Reacts To Win Over Brighton

Jose Mourinho believes that Brighton were “probably” the toughest opponents his Manchester United have faced at home so far this season.

The Reds edged past the stubborn Seagulls as Ashley Young’s strike deflected in off Lewis Dunk in the second half and proved the difference in a vital 1-0 victory at the Theatre of Dreams.

Read what the boss had to say in his post-match interview with BBC Sport and in his press conference…

HAPPY WITH THE ATTITUDE  
“I think they played really well. We didn't play well. The good thing for me was the intensity got higher in the second half in search of the goal and then, after the goal, we couldn’t kill the game and, in the last 10-15 minutes, I saw a team with everyone trying to play for the clean sheet and to give everything. But I have to praise a team and a manager that, a few months ago, were playing in the Championship and, today, they come to Old Trafford and they were the team until now who caused us the most problems.”  

TOO MANY ATTACKERS?
“I wouldn’t be surprised if, today, some of the pundits say we play with too many attackers, but, if they say that, I think they are right. Sometimes you play with too many attacking players and you lose control of the game. We had a few problems defensively because [Nemanja] Matic and [Paul] Pogba were a bit isolated in the centre of the park and, if you compensate that with more creation, that's a good risk. And, against Newcastle, it was good because we were not solid defensively but we were really strong in creation. Today, our creation was poor. The three players that played with Lukaku did not get the ball, we weren’t successful on the one against one. Marcus [Rashford] did not have a happy match at all. So we did not have that creation and could expect some defensive problems against a good team on the counter attack.”

FINDING THE BALANCE
“I could expect us to concede a goal. I could expect us to have more football, more chances and more goals but we didn't and, when we saw that and we found ourselves winning 1-0, it was a moment to try to give balance but it is hard for me to be on the bench and I don't know when Pogba needs to be changed. I want to play Fellaini earlier, with Pogba but I don't know if Pogba is happy to be on the pitch on the fatigue line or if the fatigue reached the line. It is hard for me to be on the bench with this.”

REDS DON’T DESERVE BAD WORDS
“We had amazing chances a couple of days ago and we couldn’t score, today we did it. Congratulations to them for their performance, congratulations to my boys. My boys, they didn’t play well but they gave everything. The boys, they don’t deserve bad words from me.”

GOALS DRYING UP?
"In the Champions League, we played some of the best football away from home in the first half and could have been 6-0 but it was 0-0. I am not happy with that but today we scored one and one goal was enough for the three points because in the end we speak about what we want but the points is the most important."

CREDIT FOR BRIGHTON
“I want to be honest and give them what they deserve, for me, probably they deserve more than the result they got. They played really well, they had a good defensive organisation and then, when they had the ball, they were dangerous. Honestly, I think Brighton were very, very good. They gave us probably the hardest match we’ve had this season. I think we had more spirit and heart than quality.”

Premier League: Man. United 1 Brighton 0

Ashley Young's deflected effort, which will probably go down as an own goal by Lewis Dunk, was enough for Manchester United to secure a vital, but hard-fought 1-0 win over a dogged Brighton at Old Trafford.

The Reds were frustrated for over an hour of the game, with the visitors stifling United's attempted attacking forrays, but Young's 25-yard effort hit Dunk and found its way into the far corner to secure a crucial three points.

Jose Mourinho opted to start with the same starting XI that impressively dispatched Newcastle last week. The only changes from that outing saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Scott McTominay recalled to the matchday squad.

The Reds played their part in the Stonewall UK's Rainbow Laces campaign by wearing colourful laces, while captain Antonio Valencia wore a rainbow-themed armband in support for LGBT inclusivity. And it was a bright start from United who had a chance to take an early lead but Romelu Lukaku fired over after neat play between him and Anthony Martial.

Brighton on the other hand, arrived at Old Trafford unbeaten in five matches and as a current top-half team after a very steady start to the season. The lively Anthony Knockaert fired a dangerous ball across, which evaded everyone. Pascal Gross, who has scored three goals and provided five assists so far this season for the Seagulls, tried his luck from 20 yards, but David De Gea saved easily.

The away side were frustrating United as the hailstones battered down and Chris Hughton's men looked dangerous on the counter attack and from set-plays.

Glenn Murray failed to latch on to a dangerous in-swinging free kick before, just before half-time, the Reds' best chance fell to Lukaku who had a header saved by the feet of Matthew Ryan from a yard out, before the Australian keeper somehow kept out Paul Pogba's rebound.

The second period came alive following a crunching, but fair, tackle by Victor Lindelof on Knockaert, which brought the Old Trafford faithful to life. The crowd were on their feet again for the emergence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic just past the hour mark and it didn't take long for that noise to inspire the Reds to take the lead - albeit in fortunate circumstances. A corner, disputed by the Seagulls when Lukaku fought to make a challenge, fell to Young and his left-footed effort from the edge of the box deflected off Dunk and looped over Ryan.

Knockaert again fired one of his dangerous fizzing balls across the goal which evaded everyone, before Bruno Saltor did the same moments later as Brighton looked for a late leveller. Ibrahimovic almost wrapped it up after a move of real quality as he linked superbly with Lukaku and Pogba, but his volley fizzed off target.

The result means United are now unbeaten in 38 home games in all competitions, since losing 2-1 to Manchester City in a Premier League match in September 2016. Next up at Old Trafford in the league? Manchester City, the current leaders.

THE LINE-UPS

United: De Gea; Valencia (c), Lindelof, Smalling, Young; Matic, Pogba, Mata (Ibrahimovic 62), Rashford (Fellaini 79); Martial (Mkhitaryan 70), Lukaku.

Subs not used: Romero, Rojo, Herrera, McTominay.

Brighton: Ryan, Bruno (c), Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, March (Izquierdo 74), Groß (Brown 88), Murray (Hemed 74).

Subs not used: Krul, Goldson, Schelotto, Kayal.

Booked: Murray, Duffy. WHAT'S NEXT FOR UNITED?

The Reds travel to Vicarage Road on Tuesday 28 November to face a Watford side who are flying high in the top 10 of the Premier League with kick off at 20:00 GMT.

Cantona: Guardiola Should Be At Man. United

Manchester United great Eric Cantona says he admires Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho - but would prefer Manchester City's Pep Guardiola to manage his former club.

Cantona, who spent five years at United between 1992 and 1997, described Portuguese Mourinho as "a winner who will continue to win".

But the Frenchman also told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "He is playing in this defensive way, which is not the identity of Manchester United.

"Both Guardiola and Mourinho are great, but I prefer attacking football, when it's more creative. It's the way I tried to play all my career."

Speaking later on BBC Radio 5 live, Cantona added: "I cannot understand why United would take a manager who plays in a defensive way. I love Mourinho, but I prefer to watch Barcelona play.

"I prefer the way Guardiola plays, and I would prefer him as manager of Manchester United, it's more logical. I don't watch Man City because it's Man City but I would love to watch the team managed by Guardiola."

Credit: BBC Sport

Jose: Mkhitaryan Was Disappearing

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be back in the squad for the Premier League visit of Brighton on Saturday.

But Mourinho has warned the Armenian attacking midfielder that he was dropped for recent matches because the manager was not happy with his performances.

Mkhitaryan was a regular starter for the first few months of the season, finding the net during a 4-0 win over Everton and a 4-1 Champions League victory at CSKA Moscow.

However, having been taken off just after the hour mark during a 1-0 loss at Chelsea on November 5, the 28-year-old has not even made the bench for the recent games with Newcastle and Basel.

Asked why Mkhitaryan was omitted, Mourinho told the media on Friday: "I was not happy with his last performances and I am not speaking about one or two.

"I am speaking about three, four or five. He started the season very well and, after that, step by step, he was disappearing.

"His performance levels in terms of goal scoring, assists, high pressing, recovering the ball high on the pitch, bringing the team with him as a number 10, were decreasing step by step.

"That was enough because the others, they work to have a chance, everybody works to have a chance. So, it is as simple as that."

Mkhitaryan will get another chance this weekend, however, and Mourinho pointed out that someone else will therefore have to miss out.

He said: "Last couple of matches, Mkhitaryan was out and other players had the opportunity to play, that normally Mkhitaryan has.

"I think it is quite fair that tomorrow Mkhitaryan is back."

Asked if Mkhitaryan would be starting, Mourinho said: "I don't know.

"For sure he will be back to the group and, for him to be back to the group, it means that somebody is going to leave the group.

"Maybe next press conference tomorrow after the match you are asking me why A was not on the pitch or why B was not even selected but that is life. You have to perform."

Credit: Skysports.com

Mourinho: Ibrahimovic To Be Manchester United Impact Substitute

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will continue to play a substitute's role as he builds up his fitness, says Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.

Ibrahimovic made his return from a serious knee injury in last Saturday's win over Newcastle and also came off the bench in the Champions League loss at Basel in midweek.

However, Mourinho says it is too soon to consider the Swede for a place in his starting line-up.

"He is not ready," said the Portuguese. "Step by step, minute after minute, match after match.

"I think it is easy to play him if the team is losing - you need him on the pitch for the last 15-20 minutes.

"If the team is winning, you need him on the pitch for the last 15-20 minutes because his qualities are adapted to both situations.

"Normally he's going to have these periods. One day we'll feel that he is physically ready.

"Is his impact around the place just as important? No. It's his impact on the pitch when he plays. He is always positive and a good influence.

"He is important on the pitch because he is one more option for us.

"I think it is impossible for [Rromelu] Lukaku to play every match, every minute like he is doing. We need this second option."

United are entering a crucial stage of their Premier League campaign. They play three games in eight days against Brighton, Watford and Arsenal.

"We have four competitions to play and let's go step by step, it's the only thing we can do," said Mourinho, whose side enter the weekend eight points to leaders Manchester City.

"Match after match, Champions League finished against Basel, we switch off and move to the Premier League.

"It is an interesting week because I think is the first time this season where we have three Premier League matches in one week."

Credit: Skysports.com

Herrera: Every Manchester United Home Game Is 'Like A Final'

Manchester United cannot afford any slip-ups at Old Trafford if they are to have a chance of winning the Premier League this season, says Ander Herrera.

United head into Saturday afternoon's clash with Brighton trailing leaders Manchester City by eight points, but with the joint-best home record in the top flight.

Jose Mourinho's side have won all six games at home so far this campaign, scoring 19 goals in the process and conceding just once.

And after last weekend's 4-1 home win against Newcastle, United will take on the Seagulls full of confidence as they look to temporarily close the gap on their city rivals, who travel to Huddersfield Town on Sunday.

"At home, we have to win," Herrera told Soccer Saturday. "At Old Trafford we cannot give anything away. If we want to fight for every title, every game at Old Trafford has to be a final for us. We have to win every game at home.

"We have a good example the last weekend and now Brighton at home, we must go with everything. I sign now to win every game 1-0 at home!

"Of course we try and play as good as possible, but the most important thing is to win games."

United will once again be boosted by the presence of Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and now Marcos Rojo for Brighton's visit, although only the former is likely to start the match.

"They are important players in every position of the pitch," said Herrera. "One defender, one midfielder and one striker and we are stronger with them.

"He [Ibrahimovic] feels like a kid to be back. He is 36, he still has that ambition and desire to keep winning things and I want these kind of players next to me.

"I want to play with the best players possible and Paul [Pogba] is one of the best."

Overall, United are in good shape in the league as the first third of the season draws to a close, as well as still being in the hunt for both the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

And by taking a philosophy of one game at a time, City can still be caught due to the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, says Herrera.

"You never want to lose, but if you have to lose one game to lose, maybe you chose that game," he said. "But it is not out philosophy, we want to win every game.

"We have to think, 'we are Man Utd and we have to fight for every title.' We are in a good position in the league, we are chasing the top of the table.

"Man City are very strong so far, but the Premier League always gives you the chance to catch them and the only way we can do that is by winning games.

"Do not think about the opponents, the rest of the games, just think about Brighton now, then Watford and then Arsenal.

"We are in the League Cup quarter-finals, we have done well so far and in the Champions League, we have 12 points in five games, which is good.

"But we have to know what club we are representing and to try and win every single game."

Credit: Skysports.com

A Statement From United Captain Carrick

Manchester United captain Michael Carrick has issued the following statement via Twitter...

"I just want to clear up my situation as I've had quite a few people asking if I'm ok and why I haven't been fit over the last couple of months.

"After feeling strange during the second half of the Burton game in September, I underwent a series of tests. It turned out to be due to an irregular heart rhythm which has been fully investigated and I had a procedure called a Cardiac Ablation.

"I had to build up training steadily whilst being monitored closely but I feel fine now. I would like to reassure everyone that I'm healthy and back training hard with the team. I'm building up my fitness and aiming to be back in contention for selection soon. Thanks for your support."

We wish Michael well and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch soon.

Mourinho Hopes Fellaini Will Stay

Jose Mourinho says he hopes Marouane Fellaini and the club can reach an agreement over a new contract for the Manchester United midfielder.

The Reds' boss was asked for the latest update on the future of the 30-year-old, whose current deal expires next summer.

Mourinho has had nothing but praise for Fellaini since the pair began working together and he very much hopes an agreement can be reached.

"It's a discussion between the player and the board. I'm not involved in contracts, in deals," Jose told reporters on Friday.

"I respect both - the player because the player has the right to decide his future. He finishes his contract, he has the right to decide his future, and I respect the board because the decisions and the discussions are under their control.

"So I just wait, wishing that they will have an understanding but it's out of my control."

United Support Rainbow Laces Campaign

As part of Manchester United’s ongoing commitment to equality under its #allredallequal campaign, the club is taking part in Stonewall’s fortnight of action and is today supporting the Rainbow Laces initiative.

United are the only football club to work directly with the charity as part of TeamPride; a coalition of organisations committed to LGBT inclusion in sport and strengthening equality and inclusion within society. 

The relationship with Stonewall continues to grow with the club hosting the Rainbow Laces Summit at Old Trafford in recent months, along with continued support and idea sharing.

Ahead of kick-off on Saturday against Brighton, United’s players will be lining up in front of rainbow branding, which will also be mirrored on plinths and the substitutions board.

Dedicated LED pitchside messages will be on show at Old Trafford throughout the match, while our club social channels will mark the occasion using the rainbow theme; an icon commonly shared within the LGBT community.

Group managing director Richard Arnold, said of United's partnership with Stonewall: "Manchester United’s involvement in TeamPride shows that the club is fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

"We are constantly striving to ensure we are at the forefront of this essential area and look forward to supporting Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign under the banner of #allredallequal.

"We have the expertise of our staff and partners, working to make sure our ideas, methods and best practice are outstanding in all areas of equality, harnessed to the diverse family of fans around the world, to make Manchester United and Old Trafford a home for all."

Earlier this year, Richard Arnold was recognised by OUTstanding, the charity which works alongside some of the biggest companies in the world, ensuring workplace equality and helping to eradicate discrimination, through a professional network of ideas and best practice.

The recognition for the club, and Richard sees the United man named as one of OUTstanding’s Leading Ally Executives for 2017, after a proactive 12 months for United, with work around equality and making a conscious effort to ensure the club is a welcoming place for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds and individual characteristics.

United’s equality and inclusion work continues to grow with work and relationships supporting many communities of different backgrounds. Last year the club launched its own initiative #allredallequal which supporters can follow online for all the latest news and work from United.  

Rashford: Reds Aiming For Balance

Marcus Rashford insists Manchester United are focused on getting a good balance of attacking and defending against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

The Reds conceded a first goal at Old Trafford in the Premier League this term to Newcastle's Dwight Gayle last time out to fall behind to the Magpies, before going on to win 4-1.

With another newly promoted side up next in the high-flying Seagulls, Rashford says the players are aiming to be strong in attack and equally as solid at the back.

"I think against Newcastle in the first half we were a bit too open because of how freely we were trying to play," he told MUTV. "When we're playing such attacking football, you might sacrifice some other things that you need. If we get those two bits together, then that’s the ideal situation."

The third of the promoted sides, Huddersfield Town, showed how dangerous the new boys can be, when inflicting a 2-1 defeat on the Reds in October - despite Rashford getting on the scoresheet.

"I just think the key is definitely not starting slowly," added the England international. "We started a bit slowly against Huddersfield, they got a goal and then another one. When they got that lead, they dropped back and put 11 men behind the ball so it was difficult to break them down.

"Brighton are doing well and it will be a difficult game," he added. "I think when teams come up, the most important thing for them is that they have identity and they have a plan of how they play. As you can see, Brighton have that and are building on each performance and getting stronger.

"These types of games can be underestimated [by some] in terms of how difficult they are, but we know as players it will be tough and we'll be ready."

Team News: Manchester United v Brighton

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has exclusively revealed to MUTV that Eric Bailly and Phil Jones will miss Saturday's Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Speaking to Helen Evans at the Aon Training Complex, the boss said: "They are out," referring to central defensive pair Jones and Bailly. "But we are okay because we have [Chris] Smalling, [Marcos] Rojo and [Victor] Lindelof."

Mourinho also confirmed Zlatan Ibrahimovic will feature for a third successive game in all competitions after making his much-anticipated comeback from injury in last weekend's top-flight win over Newcastle United, before appearing as a late substitute again in the Champions League tie at Basel.

"I prefer him on the pitch than off the pitch," the boss told us. "On the pitch, he’s another option for us and he’s an option of quality. His physicality and his intelligence, the way he moves, the way he plays. 

"But he needs time. We managed to give him 15/20 minutes in both matches, he needs more of that, so hopefully, tomorrow, we play him again."

Paul Pogba will start against Brighton in the 15:00 GMT kick-off at Old Trafford, although Mourinho has stated the France international cannot yet complete a full game.

"Paul is still on this process where he cannot reach the fatigue limit," explained the boss. "He cannot go more than 65 to 70 minutes because that’s when fatigue normally arrives and, with so many matches consecutively, we need to protect such an important player for us."

The players not involved in Basel could all return, including David De Gea, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Meanwhile, Rojo came through his first 90 minutes since a knee operation with no ill effects.

"He was training with the team longer than Paul and Zlatan," added Mourinho. "But in a period when we had every central defender ready to play so we protected him. We gave him a better condition and, when we put him in the Champions League match, he was really ready. 

"So 90 minutes, no problem, no reaction from the knee, confidence in his game, a good, solid performance. It’s very good to have him back."

No Easy Ride For Promoted Sides At Old Trafford

Brighton and Hove Albion's visit to Old Trafford on Saturday marks Manchester United's 76th home Premier League fixture against a newly-promoted side.

The Reds currently hold a record of 59 wins and 11 draws against Premier League new boys, here, ManUtd.com takes a look at some of the teams to have made the daunting trip to the Theatre of Dreams as newly-promoted sides...

Promotion specialists
In the 26 Premier League seasons, five clubs have won promotion on four separate occasions – three of which are in the top-flight this season. Crystal Palace's second spell in the Premier League (following relegation in 1993 and promotion back in 1994) saw United use three substitutes in a match for the first time in 1994/95 and emerge 3-0 winners, while Leicester City earnt a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford the same year. West Brom, appearing in the Premier League for their fourth spell in 2010/11, held the Reds to a 2-2 draw after United had been 2-0 up at half-time courtesy of goals from Javier Hernandez and Nani. The other two clubs, Middlesbrough and Sunderland, both dropped into the Championship at the culmination of 2016/17.

Single trips to Old Trafford
Four clubs have spent a single season in the Premier League, all of which left M16 empty-handed. United showed Barnsley no mercy in 1997 - their first trip to Old Trafford in 59 years - as a first-half hat-trick from Andy Cole helped the Reds record a 7-0 demolition. Meanwhile, Swindon Town - who now sit in the fourth tier of English football - suffered a 4-2 defeat in 1993. Blackpool were on the end of the same result in 2011, as goals from Ji-sung Park, Anderson, Michael Owen and an Ian Evatt own-goal relegated the Tangerines and ensured we became champions. Cardiff City completed the set in 2014, when they were beaten 2-0 by a United side featuring Juan Mata on his debut.

Unbeaten runs 
It goes without saying that when newly-promoted teams come to the Theatre of Dreams, it's going to be one of their toughest games of the season. This is illustrated by the fact that between 2002 and 2015, 41 promoted clubs came to fortress Old Trafford and failed to come away with victory. Some stand-out results from that period include a 5-2 win over Crystal Palace in 2004, and a 5-0 win over Stoke City in 2008 which saw Cristiano Ronaldo bag his 100th goal in red. However, the run was eventually brought to an end in 2015 when Norwich City secured a hard-fought 2-1 win, their first win in M16 in 26 years. 

Returning faces
Several ex-Reds have returned to Old Trafford having earnt promotions as managers. Former United skipper Steve Bruce brought Birmingham City and Hull City to his old stomping ground after winning promotion, but unfortunately for him, both matches ended in wins for the hosts. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also returned to the Theatre of Dreams as manager of Cardiff City in the aforementioned game in 2014, and most recently, Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager, Mike Phelan, took his place in the dugout with newly promoted Hull and held Jose Mourinho’s side to a 0-0 draw last season. However, there has been some success for returning ex-Reds, as Bryan Robson oversaw a memorable 3-2 win for Middlesbrough in 1998.

The history speaks for itself
Since the Premier League began, there have been just five occasions when newly-promoted sides emerged as victors at Old Trafford, confirming what a difficult place it is to come. East Midlands clubs Nottingham Forest and Derby County both beat United at home in 1994 and 1997 respectively, while with Robson at the helm, Boro claimed the aforementioned 3-2 win in 1998. Bolton Wanderers also punched above their weight to earn a 2-1 win in 2001, and most recently, of course, the Canaries' battled to a 2-1 victory in 2015. 

Fellaini Seeks £2m Damages From New Balance

A High Court judge might have to examine a series of WhatsApp messages if asked to rule on a row over Marouane Fellaini's boots.

The Manchester United midfielder says sportswear giant New Balance provided "defective quality" boots which had to be "steamed and stretched" by a United kit man before he could wear them.

An investment company which represents him has sued New Balance and wants around £2million damages.

Rosalina Investments says "defective boots" had an "impact" on 30-year-old Fellaini's performance and caused a "loss of enjoyment" and "inconvenience".

But New Balance bosses dispute claims and say they provided "bespoke" replacements after Fellaini said he was "experiencing discomfort" when wearing certain boots.

Details of claims and counter claims have emerged in papers lodged by lawyers at the High Court in London.

Paperwork shows that evidence is contained in WhatsApp messages sent between Fellaini and New Balance staff.

Barrister Ruth den Besten, who represents Rosalina Investments, has outlined Fellaini's complaints.

"The football boots supplied by New Balance were of poor quality and caused considerable damage to Mr Fellaini's feet," she said.

"In order that the boots fit Mr Fellaini, they were required to be steamed and stretched by the Manchester United FC's assistant kit man."

She added: "Mr Fellaini repeatedly communicated his frustration with the poor quality of the boots."

But Ian Mill QC, who represents New Balance, said the sportswear firm had solved the problem.

"The player orally informed Mr Simon Crawford of New Balance that he was experiencing discomfort when wearing certain boots," said Mr Mill.

"New Balance therefore arranged for the player to be provided with bespoke replacement boots."

'A big problem'

Papers include a series of WhatsApp messages containing Fellaini's complaints and replies from New Balance staff.

Lawyers for Rosalina said in August 2016 Fellaini had asked for boots which were wider and longer.

A month later he had sent a message saying: "a big problem no comfy at all."

At 2.10am on September 30 2016 he had written: "Hello my friend. I had a game tonight I played 90 min and after the game I can't walk my friend... my toe one more than other but both boss I can't sleep... I have so much pain."

Later that morning he had added: "I have to see the pedicure this morning."

In November 2016 he said he had received "new ones" but they were "still the same. I have to stretch them".

Lawyers for Rosalina said in September a member of New Balance staff had replied: "We can fix it my friend... we have the big dogs working on this."

The staff member had added: "Ouch... we are copying the nike boot for you... Your new ones arrive very soon, they will be like nike."

Mr Mill said in December 2016 Mr Robson had asked if new boots were "a good fit for you better than previous?" Fellaini had responded: "Yeah".

He said in January Mr Robson had asked: "Is the fit feel of the boots good?" Fellaini had replied: "Perfect for the boots."

Credit: Skysports.com

Phil Neville: Shaw Not Fulfilling Potential At Manchester United

Phil Neville has revealed his frustration with Luke Shaw and admitted on The Debate that the Manchester United left-back needs to move elsewhere to play first-team football.

Shaw has played just 47 minutes of Carabao Cup football this campaign, while he has only made the bench once in the Premier League, in the most recent outing against Newcastle.

The 22-year-old joined United from Southampton in 2014 for £30m, but he has come under criticism from manager Jose Mourinho, who told the defender back in September that he "has to improve" after returning from his latest injury lay-off.

And having scouted Shaw while coaching at United, Neville admitted he was disappointed with the player's development, and thinks he will have to leave Old Trafford to salvage his career.


"Look, he should be England's left-back, 100 per cent. I scouted him for United when I was coach there," Neville said.

"At Southampton I thought, 'He's an England left-back', he was one of the best young left-backs I've seen in a long time. Going forward he had absolutely everything.

"I just find it frustrating now that he's not grasping the opportunity in front of him and fulfilling that potential.

"He needs to play football and I'm not sure that's going to be at United."

Shaw admitted last month that he would like to link up with manager Mauricio Pochettino in the future, having played under the Argentine during his time at Southampton.

With Pochettino now at Spurs, Neville and fellow guest Andy Townsend agreed a swap deal between Shaw and Tottenham left-back Danny Rose could be a possibility.

For Shaw, that could mean taking a pay cut, but Townsend insisted money must come secondary to playing time.

"Jose only wants to work with the best," Townsend said. "If he doesn't put you in that category, then you aren't going to get on with him. Shaw has been unlucky with injuries, but maybe now he has to look within himself."

"He has to contemplate a pay-cut to play regular football. He can't stay hanging around forever and a day waiting for a game at United, and money cannot be his 'God' at this particular stage of his life."

When quizzed by The Debate host Geoff Shreeves over whether Pochettino would be the best manager for Shaw's development, Neville believed the answer was closer to home.

"[Shaw] wants to learn how to defend, so the best manager for him is Jose Mourinho. He's one of the best defensive coaches in the world," Neville added.

"Is Shaw doing everything right to get a spot? He cannot get a spot in a Carabao Cup or Champions League team, when he changes five or six players, so actually I think the penny needs to drop for Luke Shaw."

Credit: Skysports.com