Liverpool v Man Utd: Second Biggest Stadium In World Lined Up For Pre-season Game

Liverpool and Manchester United are set to meet in pre-season in the US, with the second biggest stadium in the world lined up as a potential venue.

The game will be part of the annual International Champions Cup in July.

While a venue has yet to be agreed, Michigan's 107,000-capacity 'Big House' in Ann Arbor is a possible option for the game.

The capacity has been reduced from when 109,000 watched United play Real Madrid there in 2014.

The biggest stadium in the world is the 114,000-capacity Rungrado 1 May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea.

Liverpool and United met in the final of the 2014 event in Miami, with Louis van Gaal's team winning 3-1.

The ICC has featured increasingly high-profile matches in recent years. United met City in Houston in the first Manchester derby to be played outside England in 2017 and Barcelona and Real Madrid played in El Clasico in Miami.

It is understood there will be no repeat of the Manchester derby this term, with City, who could also face Jurgen Klopp's side, preferring to base themselves on the east coast of the US, with United on the west.

This summer's fixtures are due to be announced next week, with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus among the high-profile clubs set to be involved.

Credit: BBC Sport

Lingard Wants To Emulate Class Of 92's Achievements

Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard hopes he and team-mates Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba can emulate the achievements of the club's famous Class of 92.

Several players including Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Gary Neville all came through the Old Trafford youth system at the same time to form the basis of the team that went on to enjoy a period of sustained domestic success.

Like those players, Lingard and Pogba were team-mates at youth level while Rashford is one of the Manchester United academy's most recent graduates.

Speaking to Football Focus, Lingard said: "It is all about making new history but you see the team with Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Gary Neville etc and you see what they achieved and it is only right that the likes of me, Marcus and Paul try and emulate that and win trophies.

"They came through the ranks together, but my (youth) team went their separate ways so to have another home lad like Marcus in the team and with Paul having been here since 16, we just want to try and emulate what they did."

Lingard, 25, made his Manchester United debut four years ago but struggled to hold down a regular place in the side.

After finding himself out of the starting XI at the start of the season he has developed into an important player for the club, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 26 Premier League games.

"I did well on the pre-season tour but then I was not playing in the first few months of the season," Lingard said. "It is always hard but within those periods you have to try and make an impact and you always have to be ready. I was patient and I knew eventually I would get my chance.

"It is the start now. I am comfortable in myself and my surroundings so that makes me play stress free and enjoy being on the ball. Consistency, goals and assists - that gets you confidence and puts the thought in the manager's head that he can't drop you.

"Sometimes games may not go the way you plan it and sometimes you have to do the dirty, gritty stuff well - you have to tackle, you have to run. I learned that when I was young and it is a good feeling to work hard for the team, to get the ball back."

Lingard recently scored his first England goal on his ninth appearance for his country, getting the winner as Gareth Southgate's side beat the Netherlands 1-0 in a friendly on 23 March.

Then, in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Italy, Lingard impressed with his overall energy and work-rate - highlighted by the fact he completed 100% of his tackles.

He said: "I have had to work hard to get in the starting XI for England. Now all I can do is carry on, work harder and see where it gets me.

"Playing for England is always a big honour anyway and to score my first goal was amazing. It is a massive moment in my career."

Lingard will be hopeful of having done enough to secure a place in England's World Cup squad, but his focus for now is helping Manchester United to finish second in the Premier League and win a trophy via the FA Cup.

"We have a lot of games to go for Manchester United and that is the most important thing at the moment," he said. "I have to do my job here and then see what happens."

Credit: BBC Sport

Mourinho Denies Holding Pogba Talks With Deschamps

Jose Mourinho says speculation he has held discussions with Didier Deschamps over how best to utilise Paul Pogba is "absolutely false".

Reports had suggested Mourinho enlisted the help of the France boss in an attempt to help the troubled midfielder rediscover his form after struggling to tie down a place in the Manchester United starting line-up.

However, Mourinho rejected these claims, explaining that he and Deschamps have not been in contact for years.

"Not true," said the United boss. "The last time I spoke with Didier Deschamps was probably when we played against each other many years ago. I haven't spoken with Didier in a long time."

Pogba returned to form while away on international duty, scoring and assisting during France's 3-1 win over Russia on Tuesday, but Mourinho was tight-lipped when asked for his thoughts on the 25-year-old's performance.

"I don't comment on my players' performances for their national teams," he added.

Mourinho plays host to compatriot Carlos Carvalhal at Old Trafford on Saturday as Swansea battle for Premier League survival with just eight games left of the season.

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Ibrahimovic's Man Utd Exit Saddens Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has wished an emotional farewell to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, saying European football has lost a "huge player" following his move to LA Galaxy.

Ibrahimovic sealed his MLS switch last week after Manchester United mutually terminated his contract. During a two-year spell at Old Trafford he scored 29 goals in 53 games, as well as winning the Europa League and League Cup.

Mourinho, who also managed the Swede at Inter Milan, believes the transfer is a smart one for Ibrahimovic.

"For me, it's always sad when the big players move towards the end," said Mourinho, ahead of Saturday's Premier League home game against Swansea.

"I remember Luis Figo's last match with me and Inter, it was one of my saddest moments. I always feel sad when the big ones finish or go to the last period of their career.

"The Zlatan goodbye was more in that direction, he's a huge, big player that top European Football is losing now and will lose forever because he will not be back to this level of football.

"But I think fantastic for him in this period, I think it's a fantastic way for him to go from being a player to being a former player. I think this period with LA Galaxy will be very good for him.

"It will be very good for American football because of what he can do, what he can teach, what he can attract. His personality, his passion for football and the level of professionalism he always has.

"Even his recovery from his injury was an example of what a professional should be. I think it's the MLS and US, as a football country, that is going to get more than what Zlatan is going to get from it.

"For him it will just be a way to enjoy the last couple of years of football."

Credit: Skysports.com

Mourinho Provides Team News Update

Jose Mourinho has revealed that defenders Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have both regained full fitness and are available for this weekend’s Premier League clash against Swansea City.

Rojo has not featured for the Reds since the Huddersfield Town league win on 3 February, while Jones’s last involvement came in the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United a week later.

Mourinho, who was speaking in his pre-match press conference at the Aon Training Complex, also confirmed that Daley Blind has returned to training with the first team, but is not yet ready for this weekend’s match.

However, Sergio Romero, who was hurt on international duty during Argentina’s 6-1 defeat to Spain, will miss the Swansea match as he bids to recover from the injury.

Ashley Young also picked up a problem during the final stages of England’s game against Italy on Tuesday, but the United manager declared there was a chance he could shrug the knock off in time for the weekend.

“Apart of Daley, who is training with us, but obviously not available after a couple of months out, we recovered all the other problems we had,” said Mourinho. “That includes Phil Jones, of course Marcos Rojo, who played already with Argentina, so the picture improved a lot for us in that aspect.

"Romero is injured and I think he will be for a few weeks," added the United manager. "I think in general he was lucky because it was a strong contact, a strong contusion, and he will take a little bit of time to recover.

"Ashley Young had a problem in the last part of the game against Italy, but we think there is a chance for him to recover."

Meanwhile, Carlos Carvalhal’s Swansea have doubts over Angel Rangel, Leroy Fer and Wilfried Bony, but Renato Sanches, the Bayern Munich midfielder on loan at the Liberty Stadium, could be poised for a return to the side.

Jesse: Reds Ready For Final Push

Jesse Lingard says the Manchester United players are raring to go for the last few weeks of the season following the final international break of 2017/18.

Lingard was one of the Reds’ star performers during the most recent pre-World Cup friendlies, netting his first goal for England, in the 1-0 win over the Netherlands, and creating Jamie Vardy’s opener against Italy at Wembley.

Attentions now turn to the last six weeks of the campaign as Jose Mourinho’s men look to cement second place and seek FA Cup glory, and Lingard says the whole squad is ready for one more big push.

“We’re always ready,” he told MUTV. “As a player you just enjoy playing and you want to play every minute of each and every game you can. There is a lot of motivation for us as a team to go and win the FA Cup and maintain that second place in the league.

“We get days here and there to recover and that helps keep you sharp and after this break everyone is raring to go now.”

Lingard reflected on a memorable trip away with England before looking ahead to Saturday’s Premier League clash with Swansea City at Old Trafford, insisting only victory will do for the Reds.

“It’s vital. Obviously we’ve had ups and downs this season but when you win games it gives everyone that lift and if we can do that at the weekend it will stand us in good stead for the next one,” he added.

“I feel in good form at the moment and I know I’ve got to take that onto the pitch again, week in, week out. I want to show the fans and the manager what I can do.

“On a personal level being away with England was a successful trip. I played both games, contributed with a goal and assist. It was a big boost for me and personally it’s good to help the team.

“You’ve got to work hard in training,” he continued, as he focused on United matters. “That’s the main thing and if you do that and you’re picked for the game you’ve got to replicate that on the pitch. That’s what I’ve been trying to do this season and on a personal level it’s been going well.”

Jose: Swansea are a difficult team

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has outlined the key areas where Swansea City will be a threat ahead of Saturday's game at Old Trafford.

The manager has highlighted how the Swans have improved under the stewardship of manager Carlos Carvalhal, as well as the dangers that the visitors possess throughout the squad.

"We are going to face a team that is very well organised, especially by the defensive point of view," explained the boss in an interview with MUTV and at his pre-match press conference. "They defend not just with a lot of people, but they are really well organised and with a clear idea of their defensive movements.

"They are dangerous on the counter-attack with fast people and they are dangerous in set-pieces because they have a minimum of four big, strong players in the aerial football. They are a difficult team."

Since the turn of the year, the Swans have kept six clean sheets in all competitions and have recorded significant victories against Liverpool and Arsenal, which Mourinho admits will improve their confidence going into this weekend's game.

"The team looks happy, the team looks confident, they get points almost everywhere even in a difficult situation and they are doing amazingly well," he added.

Not so long ago the visitors had been sat at the foot of the table, four points adrift of safety, but under the stewardship of Carvalhal the Swans have risen up the league to currently sit three points clear of the dropzone.

"They've improved a lot. They had a difficult period and they found themselves in a difficult situation, but since Carlos arrived it's obvious that the team improved," continued Jose. "They were below the last-three line for weeks and weeks and weeks, but with Carlos it has been point after point after point. Now they find themselves in a good position."

Mourinho also spoke of his relationship with Carvalhal, after the Swans' boss claimed that he was football royalty.

"He thought I was the king of coaches and said that my winning periods with Porto and when I left the country opened the door for more Portuguese coaches to leave, which is something I know is true.

"We speak a couple of times a week, we are friends for many, many years. He's a guy of great experience and I'm really happy with what he's doing."

LVG Makes Peace With Jose

Louis van Gaal appears to have made peace with Manchester United successor Jose Mourinho while criticising the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

The Dutchman spent two seasons at Old Trafford but was sacked the day after winning the FA Cup in 2016 and last year said his exit from the club and Mourinho's subsequent appointment was "not elegant at all".

Van Gaal met Mourinho at Anfield earlier this season as United drew with Liverpool and claimed that the Portuguese allows himself to get "out of control" too often, but now says he understands that every manager would want the Manchester United job.

"I am not disappointed with Jose Mourinho. Every coach wants to train Manchester United, it's one of the biggest clubs in the world," he told Sport Bild.

"I think Jose wanted that, too, and although he was able to do so in 13th place, he had a chance on a fantastic team like Chelsea. I was in fourth place! I still do not blame him.

"What I find wrong is when a CEO says we're totally happy with you, do not believe the press. Then you win the FA Cup and still be fired."

Van Gaal also believes that Pep Guardiola, with whom he won two La Liga titles during his time at Barcelona, is currently the best manager in England and says he would have liked to have moulded his United side into a team which plays similar football to City.

"Pep Guardiola is, for me, currently the best coach of the Premier League," Van Gaal said. "Pep made City a machine.

"He shows a football that I would have liked to play at Manchester United. But he has better players for it. For me, the process would have taken longer. Unfortunately, I did not get the time."

Credit: Skysports.com

Carvalhal: Mourinho Is The King Of Portuguese Football

Carlos Carvalhal says Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is the king of Portuguese football and the master of mind games.

Carvalhal will pit his wits against Mourinho for the first time at Old Trafford on Saturday in what he describes as his toughest test since taking charge of Swansea.

"He is our king of football," said Carvalhal of Mourinho. "He is the best manager ever for Porto. He opened the doors for the new generation of managers to go abroad. He opened the ideas of the world on Portuguese coaches."

While they hail from the same country, Carvalhal says he and Mourinho are completely different personalities.

"He's a fighter - what I mean is he's very good at mind games," said Carvalhal.

"The way he acts, he likes the theatre of it, and he usually wins all these battles. I am completely different, I prefer to be out of the theatre.

"It will be a very hard game for us. If we achieve something we will be very happy, if we achieve nothing it is completely normal.

"If you have a one per cent chance, you must have 100 per cent faith. We will prepare the team to try and achieve something at Old Trafford."

United have lost only two of their last 42 Premier League home games and Carvalhal admits "99.99 per cent of people" will be expecting a home win on Saturday.

"Manchester United are a very powerful side," he said. "They win 95 per cent of their home games and Mourinho teams are always very strong at home.

"But there are two things: I have never lost against him or at Old Trafford, because it is the first time I will play him or play there, so it is a good record!

"They will have the ball more than us, that is normal, but we must try to score when we have the ball and when they have the ball we must defend very well."

Carvalhal also revealed Renato Sanches has returned to parent club Bayern Munich for treatment on his hamstring injury but hopes he will be back at the Liberty Stadium in the coming weeks.

"He has gone back to Bayern Munich for the final phase of his recovery," said Carvalhal. "He has been in Munich for the past two weeks and now we are waiting.

"He had a scan on Tuesday, which was okay. I spoke with him and he is progressing very well. We are waiting for him. I don't know if he will return this week or next week, it depends on Bayern."

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Saudi Arabia Striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi To Train With Manchester United

Saudi Arabia striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi is to spend three weeks training with Manchester United.

The 31-year-old, who has scored 26 times in 33 internationals, is looking to sharpen up his game ahead of this summer's World Cup in Russia.

"It was agreed with Manchester United for Mohammed Al-Sahlawi to join for a training programme for three weeks, may God benefit him," Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA) of Saudi Arabia, wrote on Twitter.

The arrangement is part of a commercial agreement with the Old Trafford club and sporting authorities in Saudi Arabia, where Al-Sahlawi plays for Al-Nassr.

In October, United signed a memorandum of understanding with GSA which will see the club help develop the Saudi football industry, as part of its 2030 Vision - the plan to diversify the Saudi economy and to develop its public sectors announced in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia were drawn in Group A for this summer's tournament alongside hosts Russia, Egypt and Uruguay.

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Herrera: Why I Have My Full Name On Shirt

Ander Herrera has shed light on why he has his full name on the back of his shirt as he answered fans' queries in a YouTube Q&A.

Speaking to United's official YouTube channel, the Spanish midfielder also explained how he acquired the no.21 earlier in his career, which other sport he plays and what he thinks of the infamous Manchester weather.

When did you first watch United play? Did you watch the 1999 Champions League final?
I think so. At least it’s my first memory. That was my first memory of United and what a memory. I remember the end of the game was incredible. The way they came back and they were against Bayern Munich, and maybe I watched United before, but my first memory is that one.

Which goal of yours do you think is the best in a United shirt?
Every goal for United is important and I’m very happy for that. But maybe the one that I scored in FA Cup against Yeovil Town away. Three seasons ago, I think [2015].

Whose autograph would you take if you had the chance?
Morgan Freeman, I think. He’s an actor that I really admire.

Who is your favourite musician? Also, you’re a great player!
Thank you very much, first of all. And second, I like music but I’m not a big fan of just one musical style, so I couldn't tell just one singer. I really like, for example, Juan Luis Guerra, he’s from the Dominican Republic and I’m open for all of the styles. David [De Gea] likes to play the music in the dressing room and sometimes I don’t agree with him, but you have to respect him!

What’s your favourite thing to do on a free day in Manchester?
I am quite a homely guy. I like to be at home, but I like to know, to meet and to visit new places. One of my passions is food, so I like to know different restaurants, new restaurants, new places to eat and everything. You can send me some advice on places to visit, that’ll be very helpful.

Why is your shirt no. 21? Is there a reason?
No. I used to wear no.8 when I was in Zaragoza in my first club. I was two seasons in La Liga, in the first division, and then I moved to Athletic Bilbao and I remember I had the 21, 23 and maybe 17 was free. I took 21, I spent three fantastic seasons at Athletic Bilbao, things went very good for me, so I just kept it.

Why do you have your full name on the back of your shirt?
Same reason, but also because in Zaragoza, my hometown, my club that I grew up, I used to be known as Ander, just Ander. So I had on my shirt, Ander, and when I moved to Bilbao, everyone used to name me more like Ander Herrera because in Bilbao it’s a Basque name, and there used to be more Anders, if you know what I mean, more people who are called Ander. So, to make the people differentiate between me and, for example, a team-mate that I used to have, Ander Iturraspe, I put Ander Herrera. Not just one specific reason, just because there are more people named in the team like me.

What is your favourite Manchester United kit from your time here?
From my time here, the last season with the three lines on the sides, I really liked that and we won three titles, so also because of that.

How long did it take for you to get used to the weather in Manchester?
I’m not used to yet. But, I cannot complain. I’m playing for a fantastic club. People in Manchester are very, very affectionate, you say, open to help, always ready to help, very happy. Even with the weather they are smiling all the time, they are ready to help you. So, the weather is not a problem for me.

For a young player what is the most important thing to improve on e.g. stamina, weak foot, skills etc.?
I think the understanding of the game. I mean, you can have fantastic skills, you can have a fantastic shot, you can be very quick, the quickest. You have to realise when you have to shoot, when you have to pass, when you have to run or when you have to just stop the ball and let the team breathe, so the understanding of the game, for example like with Juan Mata. Juan is not the quickest, he doesn’t shoot the strongest, but he understands the game. He knows what to do in every moment, when he has to pass, when he has to shoot, or when he has to just keep the ball.

Where's your favourite place to go on holiday?
Ibiza. I think we have the best place in the world in my country, in Spain. And, Ibiza is my favourite.

I've always respected the way you represent United on and off the pitch. How do you handle the pressure and scrutiny of modern football?
First of all, thank you. I just try to give back to all of you all of the affection that you have given me all of this year and secondly, I feel very, very proud to be a Manchester United player, to play for the greatest club in the UK. And with the pressure, to be honest I just try to work hard every day, when I am going to play a game, I just try to train that week very hard. I just try to know who I am playing against, I try to respect the opponent and when I do, I just try to take care of myself in terms of food, rest, sleep and when I do all of that, I just feel ready to play and I just feel ready to perform and to give my best. That is the way I cope with the pressure. When you do all these things, when you work hard, when you respect the opponent, and when you do all that is in your hands to perform, you have to be calm and go and play.

Which 3 guys would you bring to keep you company on a desert island?
The two Spaniards of course. David and Juan and also Marcos Rojo, because I have a great relation with him and he is a very funny guy.

Hey Ander, just wondering if you play any other sports?
I really like tennis. When I have free time in summer overall, I really like to play tennis. I still have to improve a lot, because I have one friend in Spain that normally beats me every day we play. I always go with all of my expectations, I try to give everything, but I am not the best in tennis. I will try to improve when I, overall, leave football, I hope maybe in 20 or 30 years, I will try to train and to be better at tennis.

I just want to say that I love the way you play every game. No question needed.
Thank you very much. And, as I said before, I just try to give everything for United every time I am on the pitch. I’ve been here already four years, all the love you give me is just amazing, sometimes I don’t even deserve it and I just try to give everything back.

The battle to be United's second top scorer

Romelu Lukaku has rightly received plenty of acclaim for his goalscoring exploits in his maiden season with Manchester United.

Heading into the run-in after the final international break of the season, the burly Belgian has defied a dwindling number of critics to plunder 25 goals in all competitions.

And, as we noted earlier this week, the striker has nine more games (and hopefully 10, with an Emirates FA Cup final) in which to surpass Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s tally of 28 goals from last term.

Lukaku will finish as our top scorer in 2017/18 but, just below him, there’s a three-way contest developing between three Reds attackers who have each made significant contributions of their own to the Reds’ goal haul.

Let's take a look at the triumvirate of contenders...

Jesse Lingard: 13 goals in 23(16) appearances
It’s comfortably the most prolific season to date for the livewire forward, who got off the mark in September’s Carabao Cup win over Burton Albion and enjoyed a purple patch in front of goal around the turn of the year. Jesse, who also bagged his first England goal during the break, disclosed after his super strike at Everton on New Year’s Day that he has a goals target for this season – but he's keeping it a secret!

Marcus Rashford: 12 goals in 22(20) appearances
Breathing down Lingard’s neck is his good pal and fellow England international, who is also enjoying his most productive goals campaign after surpassing his previous best mark of 11 with that thrilling early double in the recent win over Liverpool. The 20-year-old has the best spread of goals among the trio, having found the net in every competition in 2017/18, and has regularly been praised by Jose Mourinho over the last few months for his versatility and attitude.

Anthony Martial: 11 goals in (24)16 appearances
The Frenchman is coming up on the rails behind his colleagues and, though he hasn’t found the net since scoring the winner at Burnley in January, the 22-year-old remains our second-highest scorer in the Premier League, with nine goals, including four off the substitutes’ bench. He’s already sailed past his 2016/17 return of eight strikes in all competitions; little wonder, then, that he’s picked up three Player of the Month awards this season – no other Red has won more than one.

All three players hope to start on Saturday when United return to Premier League action against Swansea City at Old Trafford.

United can harness spirit of 2006

The title race might be all but over, but with Sir Alex Ferguson’s words from 2006 still ringing in his ears, Jose Mourinho knows that the long-term fightback against Pep Guardiola’s runaway Manchester City begins now.

The Reds already have plenty to contend with during the remaining two months of the season, with a record-equalling 13th Emirates FA Cup triumph still on the line and UEFA Champions League qualification yet to be sealed.

But Mourinho has already alluded to the paramount importance of finishing the Premier League season strongly and securing second place.

Given City are 16 points clear, and United possess a nine-point cushion over fifth-placed Chelsea in the race for the Champions League places, fans could be forgiven for asking: “What’s the point?”

But the memory of Ferguson’s United reclaiming the title in 2006/07 – to deny Mourinho’s Chelsea a third successive crown – is fresh in the Portuguese’s mind.

Speaking before United’s 2-0 league win over Huddersfield in February, Jose recalled: “I remember Sir Alex Ferguson gave some interviews saying, 'We need to improve a lot, because they raised the bar to such a level they won two titles in a row’.

“The biggest manager in the Premier League felt that moment as the click for the improvement of the team and then the team won the title back in 2006/07.

“That's why I think every match until the end of the season is an important match for us, because it's not just about the points, it's not just about finishing in the top four – which is important – but trying to finish second, trying to play the best we can, trying to improve the players individually the best we can, trying to be the best possible team in the end of the season and then trying to start the [next] Premier League in a good way.”

United trailed Chelsea by 15 points after 24 matches of the 2005/06 season, but Ferguson reshaped the side, fashioning an unlikely central midfield partnership between Ryan Giggs and John O’Shea and drawing more coherence from his attack by introducing Louis Saha to join up with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Reds put together nine straight league wins and, although Chelsea could not be reined in, Ferguson’s men reduced the final deficit from 15 to eight points. More importantly, they built momentum.

They opened the following Premier League campaign with 11 wins from 13 and edged in front of Mourinho’s Chelsea. After they went top in the first weekend of October, top spot was never relinquished.

While a similar response might seem a distant prospect now, with the Reds 16 points adrift, the remaining games, as in 2006, can be used to United’s advantage.

The manager has space and time to experiment to find the right attacking mix, while January acquisition Alexis Sanchez can continue to build rapport with his new team-mates, as Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra did after arriving in January 2006.

The hunt for the FA Cup, and the pursuit of a Champions League spot, means competition for places will remain intense. Should United find success at Wembley in May, a third major trophy in two seasons will bolster the sense of belief within the squad.

Perhaps mostly importantly, it will send a message to City and United’s other top-four rivals: that Mourinho’s lads are hungry, determined and snapping at the heels of those around them.

It’s worth remembering that, bar United, no one has retained the title since Chelsea in 2006. Portsmouth, Wolves and Liverpool are the only other clubs to have successfully defended a top-flight title since World War Two. City may appear impregnable in March 2018, but in football, change is never too far away.

The opinions in this story are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United Football Club.

Early team news for United v Swansea

Manchester United return to Premier League action on Saturday with a 15:00 BST kick-off against Swansea City at Old Trafford.

With many of the Reds away on international duty, there is always the fear that some could return with injury or fitness worries, following the batch of friendly matches.

Scott McTominay was forced to withdraw from the Scotland squad after making his debut against Costa Rica, thus missing the 1-0 victory in Hungary. Sergio Romero was taken off during Argentina's 6-1 loss to Spain after being hurt when Diego Costa was in the process of scoring the opening goal for the hosts.

Marcos Rojo played the full game at the Wanda Metropolitano, his first appearance since the 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on 3 February, suggesting he should be available for the weekend. Ander Herrera is also fit again after declaring he is ready to return after a lay-off, but Phil Jones was not called up to the England squad due to his injury.

Paul Pogba was left limping after a first-half challenge during France's 3-1 success in Russia but later scored a wonderful free-kick and completed the 90 minutes. Ashley Young also appeared to hurt his knee towards the end of England's 1-1 draw with Italy, only to shrug the knock off. Hopefully, both will be fine when reporting back to the Aon Training Complex.

Of course, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is no longer an option after his contract was terminated so he could join MLS side LA Galaxy.

The in-form Swans are likely to be without Angel Rangel, Leroy Fer and Wilfried Bony, while Renato Sanches, the midfielder on loan from Bayern Munich, might be ready for a comeback.

Manager Jose Mourinho will face the media on Friday to offer more news on his plans for the encounter.

Opinion: We've nine games to define a season

Forget about internationals, forget about the World Cup. The next two months are exclusively about Manchester United and a high-profile finale to the 2017/18 season.

The break provided its moments of interest, like Jesse Lingard scoring his first goal for England, Scott McTominay debuting with Scotland and Romelu Lukaku continuing his hot streak in front of goal, but for many Reds the series of friendlies were merely distractions from the campaign’s main event.

Domestic football is increasingly dominant across the football calendar and, while Russia 2018 will undoubtedly rule the sporting agenda this summer, we’re not ready to delve into that world just yet. There is business to attend to back home in Manchester and the stakes are high.

From the players on the pitch and managers in the dugouts, to the fans in the stands and supporters around the world, these next eight weeks are what everyone has built towards since the fixtures were released on 14 June. As a collective, we’ve invested our time, hearts and minds for this denouement.

Think of it like a 24-episode box set: you began with optimism, loved the premise, meandered in the middle, pondered the plot twist and rallied late on. Now, with only a handful of shows to go, as the season finale approaches, you’re desperately hoping for an ending to tell your mates about.

That was an unnecessary reference for the digital age but the point is simple: it is a marathon, not a sprint, and we’re Mo Farah closing in on the 22-mile mark in London… okay, I’ll stop there!

The mission for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United is clear: finish second in the Premier League, win the FA Cup and consolidate what can be viewed as another season of progress at Old Trafford.

The third element of that statement may ruffle some readers who are dismayed by the prospect of finishing second to Manchester City being defined as progress, and it is right to never accept a runners-up position as success. This club is about setting high expectations and winning at all costs. That should never change.

Yet the long-term project should remain in focus throughout this turbulent period of transition, with trust placed in the manager’s plan to bring success at the highest level back to Old Trafford.

It will read like spin from the club website, and perhaps it is, but the facts show we finished sixth in 2016/17 with 69 points, which is four more than we currently have in second place with eight games left. It's highly probable we will reach the 80-point mark and that's enough to be champions in many seasons.

Personally, with the optimistic mind of a football fan, I have to believe that two, three or four more world-class signings in the summer will force that red line of progress to rise further in 2018/19.

In the meantime, it’s vital to finish the present season strongly and that task resumes when Swansea City visit Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. A win over the Welsh club will tighten the grip on second place as rivals Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur continue to jostle for the third and fourth places.

This game is also the precursor to the imminent Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium and an occasion in which City can hypothetically win the title, which sends shivers down the spine of every Red. Yet that is also a perfect opportunity to send a statement of pride and intent for next season.

But let’s not think about that just yet. This week I’m celebrating the return of United and the Premier League, and the commencement of the campaign’s final eight weeks.

It’s a time to rally together, to relish Old Trafford and embrace the final few away days. But, above all, it’s a time to support the lads, cross your fingers and hope the 2017/18 story ends with a high.

The opinions in this story are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United Football Club.

How many more goals can Lukaku score?

Romelu Lukaku has enjoyed a prolific campaign so far in his first season as a Manchester United player, but he still has time to make it even more memorable by ensuring his goalscoring exploits are mentioned in the same breath as the club’s all-time greats.

The striker has struck 25 times in 44 appearances across all competitions this term – an excellent return from the summer signing, who is only the eighth United player to have reached that quarter-century milestone in their first campaign at the club.

He will be looking to end the season strongly ahead of this summer’s World Cup with Belgium, for whom he is their all-time leading scorer at the relatively young age of 24.

Lukaku is already on course to surpass the total achieved last season by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was the Reds’ top scorer for 2016/17 with 28 goals in all competitions. As we learned through last Thursday's announcement, this proved to be the Swede's only full campaign at Old Trafford. If he eclipses Zlatan’s tally, Romelu would be the highest scorer for United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Should he net two more than Ibrahimovic, then Lukaku would be the first player to reach 30 goals since Robin van Persie achieved that round haul in the 2012/13 title-winning campaign.


The next landmark figure above that would be 35 - a tally which hasn’t been hit by any United player in the last 10 years since Cristiano Ronaldo scored 42 times in 2007/08, a successful season in which the Reds won the Premier League and the Champions League.

The closest the club's all-time top goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, came to that total was when he netted 34 in both 2009/10 and 2011/12.

Meanwhile, Lukaku could also become part of only a small set of United players who have managed to bag 30 goals in a single season in all competitions in the last 50 years, since George Best scored 32 in the 1967/68 campaign.

Ronaldo, Rooney and van Persie are all in that elite group but only two other Reds stars from the last half-century have done it - Denis Law with 30 strikes precisely in the season after Best, 1968/69, and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who notched 36, 44 and 30 goals respectively in three consecutive campaigns between 2001 and 2004.

As we approach the business end of the campaign, United have eight more Premier League games to negotiate and an FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur to come on 21 April, with the potential of a return to Wembley in the final of the competition to sign off the season on 19 May.

ManUtd.com assess how many more goals Lukaku could score in the Reds’ remaining league games by looking back at how he fared against the same opponents earlier this season...

31 MARCH: SWANSEA CITY (H)
Lukaku continued his excellent start to life at United by scoring for a third successive game at the start of the season, when the Reds travelled to South Wales for the reverse fixture back in August. The Belgian netted the clinching second strike, which sparked a blistering three-goal burst in the space of four minutes late on in a 4-0 win at the Liberty Stadium. It was the fourth time he has netted against the Swans overall in 13 matches in his career.

7 APRIL: MANCHESTER CITY (A)
After a rare home game without a goal when City visited Old Trafford back in December, Romelu will be eager to grab himself a first Manchester derby goal when the Reds make the short trip across town for the second showdown of the season against Pep Guardiola’s side. He’s fared well against City in the past, scoring five goals in 13 previous outings against them – including finding the net in both league meetings last season for Everton.

15 APRIL: WEST BROMWICH ALBION (H)
Lukaku knows the Baggies well, having scored 17 times for them during 2012/13. That impressive season-long loan spell culminated in a hat-trick at United's expense, in Sir Alex Ferguson's final match, that frantic 5-5 draw. He been particularly prolific against the Midlands club too - his header which opened the scoring in United’s 2-1 win at The Hawthorns back in December was his fifth goal in eight meetings with them, while he has also registered three assists in those matches too.

18 APRIL: BOURNEMOUTH (A)
It’s fair to say Romelu likes a goal against the Cherries, with seven to his name in just six career appearances against the south-coast club. Remarkably, four of those came in a single game for his former club Everton last season, when he demonstrated a fantastic array of finishing in a thumping 6-3 win for the Toffees at Goodison Park. He also scored the winner when the Reds welcomed Eddie Howe’s side to the Theatre of Dreams earlier this season - his bullet header was voted our Goal of the Month for December.

29 APRIL: v ARSENAL (H)
Lukaku has often found the going tough against the Gunners but he has still managed to score three times, and record three assists, in 13 career clashes. Although he wasn’t directly involved in any of the goals, the forward was part of an impressive team performance when the Reds saw off Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in this season’s reverse fixture. His last goal against Arsene Wenger’s side was also his last-ever goal for Everton, in a 3-1 Premier League defeat on the final day of last season.

5 MAY (TBC): v BRIGHTON (A)
As they were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in their history this term, Lukaku has only come up against the Seagulls on two previous occasions – both of which were this season’s meetings at Old Trafford. The striker didn’t manage to find the net in the league clash in November but was on target in the FA Cup quarter-final tie in our last outing before the international break, heading home the opener in the Reds’ 2-0 win.

13 MAY: WATFORD (H)
Despite not getting on the scoresheet himself, Lukaku still ensured he made a positive contribution in United’s 4-2 win over Watford at Vicarage Road back in November, setting up Anthony Martial to score the Reds’ third goal. His overall record against the Hornets is two goals and two assists in five previous career appearances, so he will undoubtedly fancy his chances of improving on that tally in what is scheduled to be our final league game of the season.

TBC: WEST HAM UNITED (A)
If Lukaku was to handpick one opponent he would most like to play against, it would probably be West Ham. The Reds’ no.9 has netted more goals against the Hammers than against any other team in his career, scoring 11 in 13 games in all competitions – including nine in 11 Premier League outings. He has also registered four assists. Lukaku will also have fond memories of facing the Hammers on the opening day of this season, when he scored twice on his league debut for the Reds in a resounding 4-0 win at Old Trafford.

CONCLUSION
Lukaku has been in sensational form so far in 2018, scoring 10 goals in this calendar year already, including four in his last five games. If he is able to maintain this kind of run in the remaining weeks of the season, there is every chance he can end the campaign with a tally which surpasses some of the biggest names in United’s illustrious history.

The race for the Golden Glove

In any discussion about who is the best goalkeeper in the world right now, David De Gea is always the first name that springs to mind.

The irrepressible Spaniard has long established himself as Manchester United’s no.1 between the sticks and has firmly cemented his place as his country’s first-choice keeper ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

Even those who aren’t of a United persuasion would struggle to argue against the statement that De Gea is currently the best in the business and the stopper has been in supreme form once again this season, making some remarkable world-class saves.

We are running out of superlatives to describe De Gea, who has set his sights on adding to his Player of the Month award at United for February with the ultimate accolade for a Premier League goalkeeper – the Golden Glove, for the most clean sheets in a single season.

The Reds' custodian recently spoke of his desire to land the prize, which has only been running since the 2004/05 season but has surprisingly eluded the 27-year-old so far in his United career since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2011.

De Gea is currently leading the way but it’s a close-run thing and could go down to the final game of the season. As we approach the business end of the campaign, we assess the current state of play featuring the top six contenders in the battle to claim the coveted award…

1. DAVID DE GEA (Manchester United)
PL appearances this season: 30
PL clean sheets: 15

Remaining PL fixtures:
31 March: v Swansea City H
7 April: v Manchester City A
15 April: v West Bromwich Albion H
18 April: v Bournemouth A
29 April: v Arsenal H
5 May (TBC): v Brighton A
13 May: v Watford H
TBC: v West Ham United A

2. EDERSON (Manchester City)
PL appearances this season: 30
PL clean sheets: 14

Remaining PL fixtures:
31 March: v Everton A
7 April: v Manchester United H
14 April: v Tottenham Hotspur A
22 April: v Swansea City H
29 April: v West Ham United A
5 May (TBC): v Huddersfield Town H
13 May: v Southampton A

3. THIBAULT COURTOIS (Chelsea)
PL appearances this season: 29
PL clean sheets: 13

Remaining PL fixtures:
1 April: v Tottenham Hotspur H
8 April: v West Ham United H
14 April: v Southampton A
19 April: v Burnley A
28 April: v Swansea City A
5 May (TBC): v Liverpool H
13 May: v Newcastle United A
TBC: v Huddersfield Town H

3. HUGO LLORIS (Tottenham Hotspur)
PL appearances this season: 28
PL clean sheets: 13

Remaining PL fixtures:
1 April: v Chelsea A
7 April: v Stoke City A
14 April: v Manchester City H
17 April: v Brighton A
30 April: v Watford H
5 May (TBC): v West Bromwich Albion A
13 May: v Leicester City H
TBC: v Newcastle United H

5. PETR CECH (Arsenal)
PL appearances this season: 30
PL clean sheets: 10

Remaining PL fixtures:
1 April: v Stoke City H
8 April: v Southampton H
15 April: v Newcastle United A
22 April: v West Ham United H
29 April: v Manchester United A
5 May (TBC): v Burnley H
13 May: v Huddersfield Town A

5. NICK POPE (Burnley)
PL appearances this season: 27
PL clean sheets: 10

Remaining PL fixtures:
31 March: v West Bromwich Albion A
7 April: v Watford A
14 April: v Leicester City H
19 April: v Chelsea H
22 April: v Stoke City A
28 April: v Brighton H
5 May (TBC): v Arsenal A
13 May: v Bournemouth H

RECENT GOLDEN GLOVE WINNERS:
2016/17 - Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea - 16)
2015/16 - Petr Cech (Arsenal - 16)
2014/15 - Joe Hart (Manchester City - 14)
2013/14 - Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal - 16) and Petr Cech (Chelsea - 16)
2012/13 - Joe Hart (Manchester City - 18)

De Gea will be aiming for another shut-out when the Reds return to action following the international break against Swansea City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Carvalhal: Mourinho likes to fight with people,

Swansea's Carlos Carvalhal says Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho thrives "when he is fighting" with people.

The pair will meet next Saturday when Swansea travel to Old Trafford in hunt of crucial points in their battle for Premier League survival.

Carvalhal, who spent time learning under Mourinho while at Chelsea, admits he shares similarities with his counterpart but says the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss has a more confrontational approach to management.

"I like Mourinho and he knows that I like him. I studied him. I spent a week at Manchester United when Alex Ferguson was there, then a week watching Mourinho at Chelsea. I also went to Real Madrid.

"I tried to learn with the best. He has a big self-confidence, like I do. You need that. But he is a completely different personality to me. He likes confrontation. He likes to fight with people. And he's very good when he is fighting.

"I am completely different. I like to keep far away from the fight. I like to win, but, if someone tries to fight with me, they will find they are fighting with themselves.

"If a club sacks me one day, the next morning, I feel sorry for them because they have lost a good manager.

"My background is strong, in knowledge - in both theory and practice. I know I have experience and I'm completely ready for everything."

Swansea are three points clear of the relegation zone with eight games remaining, while second-placed United are 16 points adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City, and are 9 points ahead of Chelsea in fifth.

Credit: Skysports.com

Mata: Why I am aiming for 10

Each and every Monday during the season, Manchester United star Juan Mata pens a personal blog. In his latest entry, the Spanish maestro tells us what he’s been up to during the international break and hopes the Reds can finish the season strongly when we return to action…

Hi everyone,

Today I’m writing from Spain, at the end of a different week due to the international break. I have spent some time seeing friends in very different places. This is the last break until the end of the season so, as you can imagine, it’s a good way to switch off before facing the last few weeks of the competition at full speed.

Having a look at the calendar, I see that there are only nine games remaining, hopefully 10, because that will mean that we made it to the FA Cup final which will take place at Wembley on the 19th of May. So that’s our goal: playing 10 games from here to the end of the season.

The first one is next Saturday, back to the Premier League. We will play at Old Trafford against Swansea and a victory would be very important to show that we want to maintain our position in the table. Then, we will have plenty of time to think about the derby and the rest of the games ahead.

Last week we bade farewell to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will continue his career at LA Galaxy. It’s been a privilege to share the dressing room with one of the best strikers of the last 15 years, a footballer with a special personality, on and off the pitch, who has played in different leagues and always in big clubs. Good luck in MLS, Zlatan, I’m sure that you will keep scoring goals and enjoying football for a long time. Lycka till!

As always, I hope you have a great week.

Hugs,

Juan

Mourinho: People With Brains Understand

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says people with "a brain" and "common sense" appreciate the team is in a period of transition.

Mourinho has repeatedly been criticised for a style of play that is perceived to be unadventurous.

That intensified after their Champions League defeat by La Liga side Sevilla.

"I understand the sadness of being knocked out in the Champions League, but I don't understand anything more than that," Mourinho told CNN.

"In the history of football all around the world, not just in England, you had the biggest clubs with the moments of transition, you have the biggest clubs with moments of continuous and permanent victories, and these are phases in the club."

United, in second place, are 16 points behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League and the title could be decided in the Manchester derby at Etihad Stadium on 7 April.

After United progressed into a record-equalling 29th FA Cup semi-final with a 2-0 victory over Brighton on Saturday, Mourinho accused his players of being "scared to play" and questioned their "personality".

On the eve of the game, the former Chelsea boss - who won the Europa League and EFL Cup in his first season as United manager - had delivered an impassioned 12-minute speech defending his record.

In his interview with CNN, he added: "Looking to us in the Premier League we have one team, one club, clearly better prepared than us in the past few years to be first and we have 18 clubs behind us. One in front of us, 18 behind us.

"Of course, in the future we want to have 19 clubs behind us but this is the reality, and the reality is for people with a brain, with common sense, with knowledge of what sport is, we are in a moment of transition.

"And being in a moment of transition and still managing to do what we did last season, and win trophies, and to do what we are trying to do this season, which is still trying to win a trophy and trying to be second... I think we are in a good position."

What have people said?

"He is looking outdated in the way his team plays and the way other teams play" - Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton

"I wouldn't want to play for Mourinho right now" - Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright

"It was difficult watching that. There was no desire, no energy, no speed about the team. I can't explain it. There are players in the squad to play good, attacking football" - Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes after the Sevilla defeat

"They looked like a team thrown together, full of strangers" - Ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand, also after the Sevilla defeat

"It is a pity that the manager is Mourinho. Rashford [Marcus] is an English player and you want to give him time and he may make mistakes, but Mourinho is not like that, he wants results" - Ex-Crystal Palace boss Frank de Boer

Five fun ways to create more atmosphere at Old Trafford

Spare a thought for Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.

He may have one of the biggest playing budgets, fan bases, and stadiums in the Premier League - but the club seems to be battling an atmosphere problem.

Song sheets are being considered for Old Trafford, which the manager has previously described as "too quiet".

However we at Newsbeat don't think the club should stop there, and have picked some of the standout ways fans get up for games.

1. Cheerleaders

Crystal Palace might be struggling to stay in the Premier League, but its stadium is certainly not known for being quiet.

The south London side has its own cheerleading troupe called the Crystals which have been performing there for more than seven years.

They're a fan favourite and the club itself says the cheerleaders contribute to the "unique atmosphere inside the stadium".

And if you're watching a basketball game, cheerleaders are impossible to miss.

Terrell Lawrence is one of the main stars of the Plymouth Raiders - without a slam dunk in sight.

2. The vuvuzela

Fans who made the 2010 World Cup will still be recovering from the tinnitus.

The plastic horns are often seen at sporting events across Africa, but have also made appearances at political rallies and protests in the UK.

Tests found noise levels from one at full volume, and when pressed against your ear, is louder than a drum, chainsaw, or referee's whistle.

But it's certainly one way to smash through the silence.

3. Tailgate parties

American sports fans often turn their cars into barbecues and drink a lot of beer in the car parks of stadiums.

It's a major tradition that's part of professional and university sport - which some fans even prefer to the match itself.

4. The Icelandic chant

This not only became the iconic image of Euro 2016, but it also helped drive Iceland to a quarter-final tie with France.

It earned the club's supporters a FIFA nomination for the Fans of the Year award, and nearly 10% of the population performed it to welcome their team home.

5. The Pilou pilou

In rugby union, the Pacific Nations are well known for their respective hakas.

In the south of France, big spending club Toulon have their very own version... the Pilou pilou.

It was first sung by a local artist in the 1940s, but as you can see the club's fans have made their own, unique twist.

Credit: BBC Sport

Fosu-Mensah enjoying Palace challenge

Tim Fosu-Mensah is enjoying life at Crystal Palace despite the pressure of battling relegation with the Eagles.

The impressive win at Huddersfield Town last time out eased the Londoners' worries towards the wrong end of the table and the defender can be extremely satisfied with the amount of game time he has received in the Premier League.

At 20, Fosu-Mensah is developing all the time and is part of the Netherlands' senior squad for Friday night's friendly against England.

When MUTV asked if he was pleased with how things have gone at Selhurst Park, he replied: "Definitely. I think I’ve got opportunities to play at Palace, and even from Jose Mourinho as he gave me the chance to develop and express myself here at Crystal Palace. Yeah, it’s going well for me but I have to keep going.

"Every week, you have to perform. It’s a battle, a big battle, and we try to stay positive. It’s good for me to be involved in this situation. I've learned more about the games in the Premier League and how tough it can be, mostly. I have enjoyed it here."

Of course, the Dutchman had to sit out the recent encounter with the Reds, won 3-2 by Jose's side with an injury-time strike by Nemanja Matic, due to the terms of his loan.

"You want to know how it is to play against United and compete against the players you have played with in a Premier League game," he admitted. "But the rules are the rules. It was good to see the players again, though.

"As I say, I still have a lot to learn. I have to develop myself so I have to keep improving."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his own words

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has always been an interviewer’s dream. Whenever he talks, everyone listens and his time in front of the camera at Manchester United was no exception.

A handful of lucky reporters in the club’s media team had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with the inimitable Swede and he never, ever disappointed with his pre-match or post-game comments.

Here’s a selection of some of the most memorable Zlatan quotes from his time with the Reds…

"This club is massive. I have played at other massive clubs; every club is massive and, if it was not massive, it became massive when I came!" (October 2016)

"I’ve met a lot of City fans but they became United supporters when they met me!" (October 2016)

"When I was living in Paris, in four years I didn’t go to see the Eiffel Tower once – I wanted them to change the Eiffel for my statue but they didn’t do it. Maybe if they do it now I will go to visit!" (October 2016)

"Advice? The thing I always say is you have to enjoy yourself; don’t forget what we play is the thing we love. It’s our passion. We’re playing football and you need to have a balance in your head to find the right level where you enjoy it but at the same time you perform." (October 2016)

"I’m happy with my teams I played with because they did magic stuff." (October 2016)

"Every medal has its story. You have the individual ones and you have the collective ones. It’s difficult to say which means the most… [pauses] because I have one from every country I went to. I don’t even have one from Sweden; can you imagine that - the King from Sweden doesn’t have a medal from Sweden. It’s not possible; I have to go there and conquer back my country!” (October 2016)

"Part of the game is for the fans; it's the way I play and the reason I play but, like I always say, without my team-mates, it’s not possible to win." (January 2017, after winning ManUtd.com’s Player of the Month prize)

"I have no individual targets because that I did already, after three months in England. I conquered England – it took three months." (January 2017, same interview)

"I’m an animal. I feel like a lion. I am a lion. I don’t want to be a lion. The lion is born a lion. It means I’m a lion!" (February 2017, after United's EFL Cup triumph)

"I feel in good shape. I train hard. People who know me from the locker room know that I train very hard. I have an objective every season I go into. And to reach that objective I need to train hard and I need to suffer when I train; that is how I achieve what I achieve.” (February 2017, same interview)

"My medal will be put in the museum. I have a house only for the medals." (February 2017, same interview)

"I’ve been in five different countries, I’ve been in the best clubs in the world and I’m repeating every year, what I am doing. This is another chapter in my career." (February 2017, same interview)

"I train hard. I believe in myself and I know what I am able to do. The older you are, the more experienced, the more intelligent you are, and you don't waste energy on things you don't need. I feel like Benjamin Button. I was born old and will die young." (April 2017, after scoring what turned out to be his final league goal for United, away at Sunderland)

"Master your man stare. I have mine, make sure you find yours. People will be afraid of you!” (February 2017, during his takeover of our Instagram)

"Be brilliant. Why do it normal? Why do it more than normal? Do it brilliant. We want to be brilliant in everything we do because people remember brilliant." (February 2017, Instagram takeover)

"I’m motivated, I’m pumped. Seeing the people standing up and when I score my goal that will be the moment I will enjoy most and what I look forward to." (August 2017, MUTV interview)

… And we’ll certainly remember Zlatan.

Lloris backs Pogba to rediscover his form

Paul Pogba is still "one of the best players in the world" despite his "complicated" situation at Manchester United, according to France captain Hugo Lloris.

Pogba has struggled for both form and fitness this season and has been left out of the starting XI in United's last three games in all competitions.

Despite his domestic struggles, Pogba was included in the 25-man France squad for the upcoming friendlies against Colombia and Russia and Lloris believes the international break could help the midfielder recapture his best form.

"Paul stays a strong player in our team, he is one of our leaders," said Lloris. "This season is a little bit complicated but he was injured so that could explain why he was not consistent all the time.

"But he already proved with Manchester or France that he is one of the best players in the world if he is at 100 per cent. Now he is more mature.

"He knows his place, his responsibilities. I have no doubt that he will be ready for this huge competition and show his best side."

France boss Didier Deschamps expects Pogba to return to his best in time for the upcoming World Cup in Russia.

"Everyone is talking about Paul now. He has a complicated situation at Manchester. But he did not lose his football and what he knows how to do," said Deschamps.

"I have talked with him. I deal with him the same way that I deal with other players. Maybe not the same as all the players but he is not outcast.

"Sometimes you need to encourage them sometimes even to comfort them, let them know I trust them.

"Sometimes you need to tell the truth, being more aggressive. That's management. I need to put the players in the best possible conditions.

"Sometimes they come not in good physical or psychological conditions but the truth in November is not the same in March and will be different in May/June when we prepare for the World Cup."

Credit: Skysports.com

Sanchez admits mental exhaustion amid poor Man Utd start

Alexis Sanchez has admitted to struggling with mental exhaustion after a disappointing start to life at Manchester United.

Sanchez has managed just one goal in his first 10 appearances since arriving at Old Trafford and revealed he expected better of himself after his January move.

After four years at Arsenal, Sanchez has found it hard to adapt to his new club and was dropped to the bench for last weekend's FA Cup quarter-final victory over Brighton.

He is currently on international duty with Chile, despite initially asking to miss Saturday's friendly against Sweden, and the 29-year-old appears to be in need of rest.

Sanchez posted a message on Instagram which read: "I know you are tired. I know you are psychologically and emotionally exhausted. But you have to smile and continue".

The United forward told the Chilean media on Thursday: "The change of club was something that was very abrupt - it was the first time I've changed clubs in January - but many things have happened in my life that are difficult."

He added: "As I am self-demanding, I expected something better. After my arrival at United, it was hard to change everything very quickly. I even hesitated to come here [to Sweden]."

Credit: Skysports.com

Ibrahimovic exits Manchester United with his legend enhanced

After Manchester United said farewell to Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Thursday, we look back at his time at Old Trafford, and explain why it was so important for the striker, Jose Mourinho and the club.

It is a somewhat underwhelming exit for an over-the-top character. Zlatan Ibrahimovic departs Manchester United mid-campaign but free of the Roy Keane fireworks, having made only one Premier League start all season. That came in a home game against Burnley in which he was hooked at half-time with United two goals down.

As a result, for all the recent criticism directed at Jose Mourinho and his side, there is no great sense that Ibrahimovic will be a telling loss in the remaining weeks of the season. With 10 goals in 14 appearances since the turn of the year, Romelu Lukaku has done more than enough to reassure supporters of his status as the club's top striker.

But while Ibrahimovic's time at Old Trafford now drawn to a close, it is worth remembering that this self-proclaimed lion once roared in United red. He does not just deserve credit for returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 216 days at the age of 36, but for embodying the winning mentality needed to succeed.

Paul Pogba was the big-money signing in Mourinho's first season in charge, but Ibrahimovic left nobody in any doubt that he was the big man riding to the rescue. Up to a point, he did just that. Certainly, his impressive tally of 28 goals in 46 appearances last term told only part of the tale. The assurance that he gave those around him was significant.

It is difficult to quantify the impact of a man who announced himself to the United kit men with the words "God has arrived" but it is fair to assume that he inspired a bit more belief among his team-mates. "When you get characters like him, who have been winning their whole career, it just boosts everyone," explained Chris Smalling.

"He has brought a lot of things to the team, not just his mentality, but his way of understanding football, his way of behaving with the players in the dressing room," added the ever astute Juan Mata midway through last season. "He is always pushing buttons in the right moment and in the right way trying to motivate everyone."

In other words, he was just what Mourinho needed when trying to establish a new regime - a trusted lieutenant and one who handily happens to think that the Portuguese is a vastly superior manager to one Pep Guardiola. On the pitch, Ibrahimovic's role in securing the three trophies of which Mourinho was so fond of celebrating was huge.

He outmuscled Leicester's Wes Morgan to score the winner on his debut in the Community Shield at Wembley and then pulled off a similar feat in scoring twice to beat Southampton in the League Cup final at the same venue. "Zlatan is incredible," said Michael Carrick afterwards. "There's been no bigger goal than his second today and he's won us the cup."

At that stage of the campaign, at the end of February, Ibrahimovic had scored 26 goals in all competitions. With as many as 23 matches to add to his total, 40 goals looked likely and he was widely touted as the player of the year. Jamie Carragher tipped him on the grounds that he was "virtually carrying United" and he did still make the PFA shortlist.

At times, this belated celebration of Ibrahimovic felt like a collective apology. No country was slower to appreciate his gifts. As he himself put it after the praise for his four goals in a 2012 friendly against England: "That's the way it is with the English. If you score against them you're a good player, if you don't score against them you're not a good player."

While his FIFA goal of the year winning strike for Sweden in that game altered the perception, it was the match against Southampton at Wembley that silenced the remaining doubters. Already a serial winner in Holland, Italy, Spain and France, Ibrahimovic succeeded in winning over England at an age when he should really have been long past his prime.

Despite scoring five times in the Europa League, a hat-trick of final heroics was denied him. The injury picked up against Anderlecht in the quarter-final robbed him of the chance to play in the first major European final of his career against his former club Ajax in his home country of Sweden. It would have been an appropriate swansong.

Instead, there would be no perfect ending. Just fond memories and a point emphatically proved. Fifty-three appearances and 29 goals are perhaps not really enough to earn the status of Manchester United legend. But there should be no doubting that Ibrahimovic's time in the Premier League nevertheless enhanced the legend of Zlatan.

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Pereira out to prove Mourinho right

Manchester United goalkeeper Joel Pereira says he is determined to prove manager Jose Mourinho right when it comes to fulfilling his potential.

The boss clearly admires the youngster's talents, declaring last summer that the 21-year-old can become "the best Portuguese keeper of the next generation."

Although Pereira has made only one substitute appearance this season, in the Carabao Cup win over Burton Albion, he has been on the bench a total of 11 times in 2017/18. The opportunity to work alongside two international no.1s in Spain's David De Gea and Argentina's Sergio Romero is one that should not be understated.

Swiss-born prospect Pereira is in a 23-man squad for Portugal Under-21s' games against Liechtenstein and Switzerland during the international break. The latter fixture, a Euro 2019 qualifier, is being held in Neuchatel, where he started his career with Xamax.

"I'm very happy," Joel told ManUtd.com. "As the number three, I have two top goalkeepers in front of me, and they help me a lot too.

"They have lots of experience and they can help me with that. Obviously, I have a manager who has helped me so much and has always been by my side. I’m learning a lot so I am happy where I am.

"Obviously it’s very nice to hear good stuff coming from the manager. Now is my time to show people that he’s right about me and everything he says is actually the truth.

"I'm just learning and getting some experience. We’ll see what happens next."

Pereira, who joined the Reds in 2012, had a successful loan spell with Portuguese club Belenenses last season.

Herrera back to fitness and raring to go

Ander Herrera is fit again and determined to help Manchester United end the season as strongly as possible, as the Reds battle it out in the top four and the Emirates FA Cup.

The midfielder has been out of action since 21 February after limping out of the Reds' Champions League away draw with Sevilla but has provided a positive update on his availability.

Herrera has been working hard to get himself back and, in an interview for United Review, he revealed he has been training with the squad for the past five days.

Jose Mourinho's men face a crucial spell of matches with home games against Swansea City, West Brom and Arsenal to come in March and April, as well as the Manchester derby and a visit to Wembley to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup semi-final. And Ander can't wait for the challenges ahead.

"I feel really good. I’ve been training with the team for five days now, and I feel good, I feel fit and ready to help the team after the international break," he told the Swansea edition of United Review.

"It was a pity to not be able to help the team after Sevilla away because I was feeling good before that, but football sometimes has these stops. Fortunately, I haven’t had too many [in my career].

"Now is the time to finish the season as well as I can and help the team and we want to try to win the FA Cup and keep the second place in the league."

Where Ibrahimovic's impact ranks

It would be fair to state that Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a bigger impact in a short space of time than any other player in Manchester United's history.

The fact the Swedish striker has only had one full season in the red shirt, top scoring and helping to bring three trophies to the club, means he is pretty unique in his achievements in a limited time at Old Trafford.

Others who performed well in short stints at the club spring to mind, including Carlos Tevez who may have only been on a two-year loan but still racked up 99 games. Veteran defender Laurent Blanc was another of Sir Alex Ferguson's short-term acquisitions but he managed 75 outings.

Arguably, the closest anybody can come to rivalling the Scandinavian legend is Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian won the same three pieces of silverware as Zlatan last term and also scored in the Europa League final against Ajax. Mkhitaryan appeared 63 times for the Reds before moving to Arsenal in January, scoring 13 goals.

Considering Zlatan made 53 appearances for the club, and 10 off those were off the bench, when focusing on ex-Reds with so few matches, it becomes clear he stands alone in his influence and output. The centre-forward's 30 strikes in his first season meant his goal average among this group of players may have been bettered by three individuals, even if each man failed to win any medals at the club.

Charles Sagar was a goal machine between 1905 and 1907, firing a hat-trick on his debut against Bristol City and ending his first campaign with 20 strikes in 23 matches as the club gained promotion from the Second Division. A knee injury halted his impact and he only appeared 10 times in 1906/07 but still contributed four goals. Ronald Burke was another prolific marksman, in Sir Matt Busby's post-War team, slamming 23 goals in 35 games - including one in the Charity Shield defeat to Arsenal in 1948 and the winner in his final appearance against Newcastle in 1949.

Jack Allan, who signed for the club from Bishop Auckland in 1904/05, scored twice on his debut and hit 16 goals in 27 times in his first campaign. The following year, he averaged a goal a game from six outings but did not find the net in in his three matches in 1906/07. So he finished up with 22 goals in 36 matches.

Other strikers recorded impressive figures - William Brooks, Jack Doughty, Alfred Edge and Charles Rothwell all averaged a goal a game from only three outings but the game was very different in the bygone era when strikers did tend to dominate the scoring charts.

Only very few more recent individuals can lay claim to at least securing a place in the club's golden history. Who will ever forget Federico Macheda's contribution to the 2008/09 title-winning campaign or Mark Robins's impact in his second season when Sir Alex lifted his first trophy at United in 1990? Both stayed at Old Trafford for a number of seasons, though. Michael Owen's goalscoring appearance in the 2010 League Cup final win over Aston Villa was one of only 31 outings for the Reds and his last-gasp derby winner was a moment to savour.

Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao spent only one season with the Reds during Louis van Gaal's reign but neither had the impact Zlatan made. One man whose name always gets mentioned regarding brief but enjoyable spells at Old Trafford is a former international colleague of Ibrahimovic's - Henrik Larsson. However, it is worth remembering the classy forward made a mere 13 appearances during his loan spell in 2007, scoring three times.

Perhaps many people will look back in years to come and feel Robin van Persie was another striker who came to the club and achieved a great deal in a relatively short career at Old Trafford. He won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award and was leading scorer when helping fire the Reds to a 20th league title but he did stay for another two seasons after that and his 105 games in total makes him a different case altogether.

So, after looking at the records, it becomes quite apparent Zlatan Ibrahimovic could stand alone for his short-term contribution to Manchester United. History will show his one full season in red was a clear success and one that will be remembered fondly. One wonders what he might have achieved but for the serious knee injury sustained against Anderlecht, which so severely restricted his output in 2017/18.

The opinions in this story are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United Football Club.

Zlatan leaves Manchester United

The club released the following statement on Thursday afternoon...

"Manchester United confirms that it has agreed to the termination of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract with immediate effect.

Everyone at the club would like to thank Zlatan for his contribution to the team since his arrival and wishes him well for the future."

Zlatan posted on his Instagram page shortly after the news and said: "Great things also come to an end and it is time to move on after two fantastic seasons with Manchester United. Thank you to the club, the fans, the team, the coach, the staff and everybody who shared with me this part of my history. #foreverred"

Neville: Shaw situation a distraction from Man Utd's disappointments

Gary Neville discusses the futures of Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba.

To be honest with you, I can't help feeling the whole Luke Shaw issue is a distraction from the critical aspect of the season.

United spent a lot of money and the aspiration was to win the Premier League and go as far as they could in the Champions League and obviously neither have happened.

The issue for me isn't the individuals - whether Shaw, Paul Pogba or Alexis Sanchez are underperforming - but that the team aren't very consistent, which over the course of Mourinho's career his teams have always been.

If you look at the performances against Liverpool and then Sevilla, they were night and day, and this looks like a group of individuals rather than a group functioning as a team.

What I would say about Shaw is that the talent and ability are there, but his job as a footballer is to be prepared to perform every day and do every single thing in his life well to be a United player.

At the moment, his potential is not being recognised. I've got a great belief in Luke Shaw and the reality is it would be a great shame if he leaves United without fulfilling his potential.

There's a lot of players out there with less ability but maximising their potential and I just hope he can get there.

Concentration key for Pogba

Paul Pogba has got the character and personality to play for United, there's no doubt about that. He's played in the biggest matches in Europe at a huge club in Juventus.

What he has got to do is perform consistently. Some will say it is down to the position he plays, while some will say it is his lack of concentration and focus.

It is never a matter of a black and white in the sense that there's always a player's reason and always a manager's reason, but as I look at it he needs to play with higher levels of concentration.

Everything about Manchester United is a crisis. Every time they lose a game - like against Sevilla - everything is a crisis and there is no reasoned level being applied.

Results the only response

The reality of it is the only thing that will shut people up when you're at Manchester United is winning matches and trophies - everything else is irrelevant.

It is okay pointing towards pundits, fans or referees, but the only people who can make that pressure go away are those at the club getting results.

The FA Cup will really help the club this season. If you'd have asked me at the start of the season whether second place and the FA Cup would be a successful season I would have said no, because the league had to be the priority.

However, now looking at where they are at, it would absolutely be a progression from previous seasons, but ultimately be below where it needs to be.

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No United Song Sheets

Manchester United will not hand out song sheets to supporters to improve the atmosphere at Old Trafford, Sky Sports News understands.

Reports have suggested that the club were considering handing out the song sheets to supporters at home games after the issue was raised at a regular fan's forum last month. The minutes from the meeting are on the club's website.

Manchester United's head of venue operations responded to one question over whether song sheets can be distributed to supporters and said it would be "looked into for future games".

However, Sky Sports News understands that song sheets will not be handed out at Old Trafford.

During the same forum, United were asked if there was any update on the foundation of a women's football team, with the club's corporate media relations manager saying it "remained under review at a high level at the club and isn't something that can happen overnight".

The club also said a number of factors needed to be considered such as staffing and facilities.

United said they would update fans on this matter at the next meeting, which is due to take place on Friday, May 11.

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Lawyers for Marouane Fellaini battle to continue legal action against New Balance

Lawyers for Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini have urged a judge to let them continue with legal action against shoe manufacturer New Balance.

Rosalina, an investment company representing Fellaini, claim bosses at the sportswear firm breached an agreement to make payments if the Belgium international wore New Balance boots.

However, lawyers representing New Balance have told the court Rosalina's claim had no "reasonable grounds" for asserting a contract had been concluded for Fellaini to be an ambassador for their brand and asked for the case to be struck out.

Rosalina's lawyer, Andrew Onslow QC, told the High Court judge in London they believed a contract had been made with New Balance and Fellaini, despite the fact that New Balance had not signed.

They highlighted the fact New Balance had launched their Spring Fall 2017 catalogue including Fellaini.

"Why would New Balance launch a catalogue if they did not believe they had some long-term commitment to Fellaini and him to them," Onslow QC said.

They also claim WhatsApp messages with a New Balance employee discussing the delivery of new boots suggest an implied contract.

"There is no suggestion a deal was not done," Onslow QC added.

"At that point on September 16 they believed they had a deal, a final binding deal and signatures were to follow as a matter of course.

"Why did they continue to exploit his rights, if there was no contract."

They submitted the case should continue to trial where a decision could be made on whether a contract existed or not between the two parties.

Ian Mill QC for New Balance told the court at an earlier hearing that, "there were no reasonable grounds" for asserting that a contract had been concluded.

The judge Mrs Justice May reserved judgement and will rule at a later date whether legal action should be halted.

Fellaini has not been at the hearing at the High Court in London.

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Sanchez expected better of himself since joining Manchester United

Alexis Sanchez says he expected better of himself following his move to Manchester United.

Sanchez joined United from Arsenal in January but has managed just one goal in 10 appearances since arriving at Old Trafford.

The 29-year-old admits he has struggled to adapt to his new life in Manchester after four seasons with the Gunners.

"As I am self-demanding, I expected something better," Sanchez told the Chilean media while on national team duty in Sweden.

"After my arrival at United, it was hard to change everything very quickly. I even hesitated to come here (to Sweden)."

He added: "The change of club was something that was very abrupt - it was the first time I've changed clubs in January - but many things have happened in my life that are difficult."

Chile missed out on qualification for the World Cup in Russia and Sanchez revealed he wanted to miss Saturday's friendly against Sweden in Stockholm before changing his mind after consulting Chile captain Claudio Bravo.

"I had asked permission to miss these games, but then I thought better and spoke with Claudio and told him that we should all be united," he said.

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Wilkins: Mourinho looking for reaction from Luke Shaw by criticising him

Jose Mourinho has been publicly criticising Luke Shaw in an attempt to get a reaction from the left-back, says Ray Wilkins.

The Manchester United manager has been outspoken in his criticism of Shaw this season, with the most recent comments coming after their 2-0 FA Cup win over Brighton on Saturday.

Mourinho substituted Shaw at half-time and later suggested his performance was so bad he was asking to be removed.

Wilkins believes the manager's comments are designed to improve Shaw's performances, saying: "He is looking for a reaction from Luke.

"I feel for Luke a little bit because when he was at Southampton he looked an outstanding prospect at left back and it was a good move for him to move to Old Trafford.

"But I've said on numerous occasions - when you go to Old Trafford, it's not only what you can do with the ball, you've got to have the mentality of a winner as well and perhaps Jose is not quite seeing that in Luke at this moment in time."

Shaw was not named in Gareth Southgate's England squad for this month's friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy after only making only 15 appearances for United this season.

He has only played for his country four times since the 2014 World Cup, but Wilkins believes Shaw could have been in line for a recall had he played more for his club.

He said: "This was a massive year for him as well because he could have been the one to be going to World Cup at left back. This fella is a powerhouse of a left back down that left side.

"Unfortunately he's picked up a few knocks which hasn't helped his development but he's just not played enough."

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Pogba: it would be a 'pleasure' to play with Neymar

Paul Pogba says it would be a "pleasure" to play in the same team as Neymar, describing the Paris Saint-Germain star as having the "definition of happiness".

Manchester United midfielder Pogba also said he looks at players such as Manchester City rival Kevin De Bruyne in a bid to improve his game.

Pogba has struggled for form at Old Trafford in recent times, and on Friday France head coach Didier Deschamps said: "It's a situation he won't be enjoying."

Speaking to Argentinian television channel TyC Sports, Pogba said: "Yes, Neymar. I like him. He has the definition of happiness on the pitch.

"In Brazil, football is everything, it's life in Brazil. Everyone plays football. I love to see him on the pitch playing, with his technique and his ability. It's a different style.

"When you say the word 'Neymar' around the world, everyone knows who he is and what he does. Therefore if I could play with him one day, it would be a pleasure."

Pogba also revealed the players he looks up to, both when he was a youngster and now as one of the world's most recognisable footballers.

"When I was smaller I always looked up to Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. I had videos of Maradona, Pele, Chris Waddle, Kaka - many players. I wanted to have all the virtues of those players.

"Now I look more at players like Andres Iniesta, Yaya Toure, Kevin De Bruyne and Luke Modric - who is a very strong midfielder player. I look at them to try to be better."

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Rojo: How the boy with no kit became a star

On the occasion of his 28th birthday, we examine the determination and endeavour that have carried Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo throughout his life to date…

“Where there is suffering, there is the chance for growth,” says Argentinian football journalist Gabriel Lopez. “I think Marcos Rojo was born in the perfect conditions to be successful. When you are born into a house where a football is more important than any toy, in a neighbourhood which is all fields, where there is no chance of having a computer… that is where this footballer is made.”

United’s no.5 has come a long way, both figuratively and geographically, from the modest La Plata home where his infant years were invariably spent on the adjoining playing field. A defender in keeping with the established Argentinian prototype – tough, canny, bullish – he has made his mark with no-nonsense defending, forceful tackling and unwavering commitment: attributes which had been evident very early on in his career.

The son of an outstanding semi-pro player – Marcos Snr – a young Rojo would spend his days immersed in football. Aged just four, he entered into his first involvement in organised sport, signing up for Las Malvinas, and he swiftly made an impression. “He was different from the others,” says coach Mario Barbarino.

“At the age of four or five he understood what I was saying to him, he understood what it meant to get up and play on the pitch at the age of five. Training with the older kids, and the older kids hit you or play hard, and you pick that up and you never forget it. Running into kids who are two or three years older. At that age, that makes a difference.”

Suitably toughened by his experiences, Marcos rose to the rank of captain and, playing in midfield, scored twice in a junior league match against Estudiantes. At the age of 10, he was invited for a trial with the Primera Division club, a watershed moment in his development.

“Malvinas is a club, but more a neighbourhood club,” admits Rojo. “It is poorer, it is more about being with friends, but at Estudiantes everything was more professional, more like real football. I learned a lot there. Estudiantes was a great school.”

During his time in the club’s youth setup, Marcos also became an educational tool for his coaches. “He is an example to me as a coach,” says Alejandro Russo. “I work with young players and I can say that a boy who used to come to training on his bike when he was 12 - he used to travel 10km here and 10km back - he trained and he made his dream come true. He was a boy who came to training very happy, perhaps lacking some of the right gear, clothing, football boots, but he was always smiling and because of that his team-mates loved him.”

That was, perhaps at times, in spite of Rojo’s wholehearted commitment to training. “When he was going to challenge a forward, he would win,” says Claudio Vivas, another of his coaches. “He won because of his frame of mind; that was very important. Temperament was very important for him. As a very young boy, a winner, he wanted to win. When he went on the field he wanted to win.”

Over time, that mentality carried him to the attention of first team manager, Roberto Nestor Sensini. The 60-cap Argentina international, who spent 17 years thriving in Serie A, was impressed by an 18-year-old Rojo’s display in a training match between Estudiantes’ first team and youth team, and duly promoted him to the senior squad.

Marcos’ assimilation was made easier by immediate acceptance from his new colleagues. Aware of his background, his team-mates presented him with new boots so that he could train properly. “Straightaway, because of his charisma, he was adopted by the professional players,” recounts coach Alejandro Russo.

It just so happened that Rojo had worked his way into Estudiantes’ finest squad for almost 40 years. Since winning three successive Copa Libertadores in 1968, 1969 and 1970 – the first prompting the infamously fierce Intercontinental Cup victory over United - Los Pincharratas had won only three major honours. Managed by Alejandro Sabella and inspired by enduring midfield genius Juan Sebastian Veron, Estudiantes won the Primera Division and the Copa in Marcos’s first senior season.

“I was 19. That was incredible, indescribable,” beams Rojo. “They are memories I will have for my whole life. The day I made my debut was a very happy one because I had worked a lot, it was hard work. It is difficult in Argentina to get out of my neighbourhood. It is a poor neighbourhood.

“It is hard to get ahead. Jobs are often not very good and you have to work hard. I always liked football and I gave up everything for my dream and to see it become a reality on the day I first went onto the pitch was unique, and seeing my family there, sharing it with me, my mother and father so happy, they always used to come with me. Those are things that stay with you forever.”

More fleeting was his stay in Argentina. Within two years of ruling the continent, Rojo moved to Europe. A patchy season with Spartak Moscow preceded two years at Sporting Lisbon, but while his domestic form steadily improved, it was his dramatic rise to international prominence which precipitated a move to Old Trafford. Selected for Argentina’s 2014 World Cup squad by Sabela – now national team manager – Marcos was one of the outstanding defenders at the tournament.

“We knew him. We knew he wouldn’t let us down,” says Julian Camino, Argentina’s assistant coach. ”If Sabela handed him the shirt, he would do well. We didn’t debate it at any point. Whether he is going to play in a World Cup final or he is going to play the last-place team, he is going to play the same way: with that desire, that fortitude that he has, that always pushes him forward. With his teeth gritted, he will work until his last drop of sweat.”

United’s attention had been pricked. It was during the Reds’ pre-season tour of America that Rojo became aware of a potential move to Old Trafford. “I couldn’t believe it,” smiles the defender. “I was celebrating, jumping around the house with my girlfriend. It was incredible, for Manchester United to be interested in me, for it to be so real, it was so exciting.”

Though he was 24 when he arrived at Old Trafford, Marcos was already familiar with United, due to the influence of two of the Reds’ previous South American imports. “When I was a boy all I did was watch football and I would watch the Premier League,” he says. “I would watch Manchester United because Veron played for them and because of Diego Forlan. I always paid attention to Manchester United. They are one of the greatest teams there has ever been, so I watched every game.”

Now in his fourth season in Manchester and having made a substantial impact on proceedings, winning four trophies and registering over 100 appearances, the ceaseless grit and moxie engrained in Marcos Rojo has ensured that he has made his mark as a Red.