Manchester United under Jose Mourinho

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Jose Mourinho's land of the giants! Only one of his seven signings for Manchester United is under 6ft 1in... so, should we expect big things in Premier League title race?

* Nemanja Matic has sealed his £40m move to Manchester United from Chelsea
* He is over 6ft 3in and is the latest tall player signed by Jose Mourinho
* Indeed, only one of the seven he's signed at United have been under 6ft 1in

Jose Mourinho said earlier this summer that he was seeking three or four new signings to improve his Manchester United squad.

With Nemanja Matic joining defender Victor Lindelof and striker Romelu Lukaku as part of £160m spending spree, it's safe to assume that the Portuguese boss has almost every piece of the puzzle he was seeking to make the Red Devils competitive again.

But what sort of side is he looking to build to take the previously perennial champions back to the pinnacle of the Premier League? There's an interesting fact about Mourinho's signings that may give us a good clue.

Of the seven signings that he has made at United, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the only one under 6ft 1in.

The latest arrival, Matic, stands at almost 6ft 4in, while Lindelof is 6ft 1in and Lukaku is a towering 6ft 2in.

'If I was here, a left footed player, Mourinho said of the decision to let Matic leave Chelsea to join Benfica originally. '1.95 metres; position: midfield - would never, never, never leave. Never.' His admiration has been clear for some time, both in the player and his attributes.


Nemanja Matic has signed for United and at 6ft 3in adds some serious height to the team. The Serb is Jose Mourinho's seventh major signing - six of then are over 6ft 1in. Lukaku and Pogba have added some serious height to United's spine. Defender Eric Bailly has been a key upgrade for United at the back and is over 6ft 1in tall. Bailly will feature alongside new signing Victor Lindelof, who is also 6ft 1in at the back

That means Mourinho's likely XI for the opening game against West Ham will have an average height of 6ft 1in. Throw in the likes of Chris Smalling and Marouane Fellaini, both over 6ft 3in, from the bench then the average shoots up again.

For comparison, Louis van Gaal's last ever United XI in the 2016 FA Cup final win against Crystal Palace, had an average height of 6ft. So Mourinho has added an extra inch per player in little over a year.

Leicester's championship-winning side were, on average, 5ft 11in across the board. Antonio Conte's Chelsea were around the 6ft mark.

So, if United are to be champions, they will be the tallest in at least three years to do so.

This is, of course, nothing new for Mourinho. He forged his first great Chelsea side around the hulking frames of Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Co.

It is also worth noting that although Mourinho has a history of signing tall players, at United at least it isn't all about strength.

In his fearsome midfield duo of Matic and Paul Pogba he has two serious work horses (which is interesting, as United were rock bottom in distance covered as a team) - both of whom were covering around 11km per game on average last season.

MOURINHO'S GIANT SIGNINGS

Jose Mourinho has signed seven players for Manchester United, six of which have been over 6ft 1in. They are:

Nemanja Matic - 6ft 3in

Eric Bailly - 6ft 1in

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 6ft 4in

Paul Pogba - 6ft 2in

Romelu Lukaku - 6ft 2in

Victor Lindelof - 6ft 1in

Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 5ft 8in

Indeed, Matic cracked the top 20 across the entire league for Chelsea last season.

So it's certainly worth noting that Mourinho now has a physical, athletic core in midfield plus the guile of Ander Herrera to call upon - that sounds like a recipe for success, right?

Possibly, but it's not like it is a new idea; indeed there seems to be something of a tactical shift in the Premier League.

Tottenham have a powerful midfield trio in Victor Wanyama, Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier who are all over 6ft. Liverpool, in signing Mohamed Salah to go alongside Saido Mane, have gone for sheer, unadulterated speed to go with work rate.

Further down Everton have gone for a midfield in Morgan Schneiderlin, Idrissa Gueye, Muhamed Besic and Tom Davies who will run all day long.

After the era of possession sparked by Barcelona, the tactical wheel turned towards the high press and the counter-attack in the Premier League, the latter exploited perfectly by Leicester. Now, it looks as though the prevalent thought among the league's top thinkers is to try to smash through opponents' clever scheming with physicality.

Of course, the Premier League has been known as a tough and quick division for some time and power isn't the panacea to all of United's problems.

Spurs married strength with tactical nous, Liverpool put speed together with counter-attacking.

But Mourinho now has all the power he craves in his team. It's up to him to show he's still a member of the managerial elite by marrying that grit with guile.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4749392/Man-Utd-Mourinho-signing-one-thing-common.html

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Manchester United rely on Eric Bailly, Marouane Fellaini could win battle with Ander Herrera and a new left winger is needed - the lessons Jose Mourinho learned against Real Madrid

* Manchester United lost 2-1 against Real Madrid in their Super Cup showdown
* Marouane Fellaini impressed from the bench after replacing Ander Herrera
* United's defence struggled to cope with Gareth Bale, Isco and Casemiro
* Red Devils host West Ham in their first Premier League game of the new season

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United side were deservedly beaten by Real Madrid on Tuesday night and the defeat showed he has a lot of work to do if they are to compete with the Spanish giants.

Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro, in particular, won the midfield battle against Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba while Isco ran riot between United's defence and midfield.

It wasn't all bad news for Mourinho as £75million new-boy Romelu Lukaku scored his first competitive goal for United and Matic looked assured at the base of his new side's midfield.

Here, Sportsmail analyses the lessons Mourinho learned from the Super Cup defeat against his former employers.

Romelu Lukaku has the character to lead United's line

United's big-money summer recruit had a few bizarre moments with the former Everton forward missing a sitter, taking a foul throw and trying to control the ball when he was clearly in an offside position.

Lukaku should have taken his chance despite striking his shot with his weaker right foot but he didn't down tools after his horror miss.

The 24-year-old took his second golden opportunity with ease by following up a shot from Matic.

Lukaku has big boots to fill but he showed he can deal with the pressure of being United's main striker.

If he gets the right service he will score goals for fun but he is relying on Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Co.

Eric Bailly is crucial to United's title hopes

It would be harsh to criticise Victor Lindelof because as Mourinho said before the game, he needs time to settle into life at United.

Chris Smalling, despite his doubters, performed admirably in the middle of a three-man defence but Eric Bailly will be Mourinho's first-choice centre back.

The Ivorian is head and shoulders above Smalling, Lindelof and Phil Jones so Mourinho needs him to be fully fit for the majority of the campaign.

Bailly and Jones are likely to start Sunday's Premier League opener against West Ham after sitting out Tuesday's 2-1 defeat through suspension.

It will be interesting to see how the duo deal with the lively Javier Hernandez during the Old Trafford encounter.


Victor Lindelof (left) needs time to bed into the Manchester United defence after his move

Back to a four-man defence?

Mourinho deployed Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia as wing backs against Real Madrid because he was worried about the threat posed by Gareth Bale and Isco.

Lingard looked out of his depth as a left-sided wing back while Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are wasted in that position.

Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo could do a job on the far left of a five-man defence but they are expected to be out until September and December respectively.

It would come as no surprise if Mourinho reverted to a four-man defence at the weekend with Valencia switching to right back, Matteo Darmian at left back with Jones and Bailly in the middle.


Jesse Lingard struggled at wing back and was hauled off during the half-time interval

Marouane Fellaini could win battle against Ander Herrera

To get the best out of Pogba, United have to play three central midfielders with the Frenchman at his peak when playing from the left.

Matic has been bought to play in the middle of the three so that leaves one space in United's engine room.

Herrera started on Tuesday night but couldn't really affect the game due to Kroos, Modric and Casemiro's dominance.

Marouane Fellaini hasn't always seen eye to eye with the Manchester United fanbase but you can never question his commitment.

He made a big difference when he replaced Herrera in the 56th minute and will have given his manager a selection headache ahead of Sunday's game.

Does he stick with Herrera's energy or plump for Fellaini's passion?

It's a difficult decision but you can see why Mourinho laughed off an offer by Galatasaray for the 6ft 4in midfielder ahead of the new season.

Back Anthony Martial or buy a new left-sided winger

Search Martial on Twitter and you will be bombarded with tweets by United fans questioning why the Frenchman didn't start or even make an appearance from the bench.

Mourinho elected to use just two substitutes (Rashford and Fellaini) despite having Juan Mata and Martial to call on.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss clearly doesn't trust Martial to play as a left wing back but he may give him the chance to impress on Sunday.

Martial showed during pre-season that he is capable of beating a man - something that United lacked against Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old will be the first to admit he was below-par last season but Mourinho needs to put his faith in him to reap the rewards.

If there's no way back for Martial, Mourinho must buy a left-footed winger before the window shuts at the end of August.

Gareth Bale, for now, is out of grasp so another bid for Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic could be on the horizon following United's Super Cup defeat.


Anthony Martial was left on the substitutes' bench and appears to be out of favour

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4774316/Manchester-United-key-lessons-Real-Madrid-defeat.html

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Manchester United Premier League season 17-18 preview: Martin Keown's guide

The Premier League season is now just hours away, and it is time to look ahead to how the 20 teams will all get on.

Sportsmail has recruited columnist Martin Keown to run through reasons to be cheerful and fearful, as well as the key player and major signings.

Here is the lowdown on Manchester United...

WHO'S IN CHARGE ?

Jose Mourinho - Emerged from his first season with flying colours by winning two trophies. The Europa League triumph means United return to Europe's top table but fans will grow frustrated if Mourinho does not take off the handbrake and give his team licence to attack.

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

After three mediocre seasons by their standards, things seem a lot rosier at Old Trafford. United have made another huge signing in Romelu Lukaku, who will be a focal point for their attack and a potential star for many years to come. The great United teams have all contained superb strikers and Lukaku's goals can fuel a title challenge.

REASONS TO BE FEARFUL

United need to rekindle the fear factor at Old Trafford where they drew 10 games last season. Much of this was down to United's profligacy, with only Southampton, Middlesbrough and Sunderland converting fewer of their shots. The likes of Lukaku and Marcus Rashford must take their chances if United are to kick on.



KEY PLAYER

Romelu Lukaku - I don't think we've seen anything like what he is capable of. There is so much more in his locker and he will be bullying centre halves all over the Premier League. He could well win the Golden Boot.


Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku will be bullying centre halves all over the Premier League

MAJOR INS

Romelu Lukaku (Everton) £75m, Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) £40m, Victor Lindelof (Benfica) £30.7m

MAJOR OUTS

Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad) £9.8m, Wayne Rooney (Everton) free, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (released)

LAST SEASON POSITION: 6TH

WHERE WILL THEY FINISH THIS SEASON?

If Lukaku fires, United will finish in the top four and challenge for the title.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4778944/Man-United-Premier-League-17-18-preview-Keown-s-guide.html

[Andi Istiabudi]

MOURINHO CALLS FOR MORE GOALSCORERS

Jose Mourinho is calling on his Manchester United players to spread out the goals more throughout the team during the new 2017/18 season.

Prolific striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic led the way last term with 17 Premier League strikers but no other player reached double figures in the competition, with the next highest scorer, Juan Mata, netting six times.

The boss admitted he wants to improve the distribution of goals when he spoke to the media ahead of the Reds' opening league match against West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Asked if United can reach the levels of his Real Madrid and Chelsea teams in terms of finding the net, Mourinho said: "Real Madrid is out of context because it’s a league, and now even more so, where the top teams are much better than the other teams, where the top teams easily win 3-0, 4-0, 5-0, 5-1, so the 126 goals we scored that season are out of context."

Referring to his former clubs contributing goals from all areas, Mourinho said he hopes the team can ease the burden on the Reds' strikeforce in the season ahead to find other ways to win games.

He added: “In my other clubs, what I had was more people scoring goals – midfield players scoring goals, wingers scoring goals, central defenders good in the air, scoring goals at set-pieces. We always had that.

"My teams always had the goalscorer - the guy that scores more goals - but then we had the winger that scored 15 goals, the midfield player that scored 10 goals and we had the central defender that scored five goals.

“And, last season, that didn't happen much – we were focused on the goals that our striker was scoring, and when the striker was not scoring, the team was in a bit of trouble to win matches.”

www.manutd.com

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Mourinho refusing to get carried away after his side beat West Ham 4-0 to move top of the Premier League table

* Romelu Lukaku scored two as Manchester United beat West Ham 4-0 on Sunday
* The comfortable win means Jose Mourinho's side sit top of the Premier League
* The Old Trafford win was United's biggest on the opening weekend in 11 years
* But Mourinho said following the result: 'My feet are on the ground and I am calm'

Jose Mourinho insisted that his 'feet are on the ground' after Manchester United opened the season with a four-goal demolition of West Ham at Old Trafford.

Mourinho's biggest Premier League win as United manager — and the club's biggest on the opening weekend in 11 years — will only raise expectations that he can deliver the title in his second season.

But the Portuguese coach refused to get carried away after United romped to victory, inspired by two-goal Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic on their home debuts.


Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho remains 'calm' after his side's 4-0 win over West Ham. 'Last season we were also top... and we finished sixth so this means nothing,' Mourinho said

'We start the second season with a very good performance at home,' said Mourinho. 'We had many players on the pitch with a very good game and we have reasons to be optimistic.

'For me, years and years of experience and experience in the Premier League, my feet are on the ground and I am calm.

'Last season we were also top of the league in the first match (a 3-1 win at Bournemouth) and we finished sixth, so this means nothing.

'It just means we played well and confidence levels will be high and now our challenge is to keep these confidence levels. I think we can do better than last season.'

Lukaku added to his goal in the UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid by scoring in either half to make it 11 goals in his last 11 games against West Ham.

'To play in front of such a crowd is a dream come true,' said the Belgium striker.

Slaven Bilic urged his players to put the setback behind them after West Ham lost on the opening weekend for the 11th time, a Premier League record.

'We can't lose our confidence no matter how bad this result is for us,' said Bilic.

'We're not just going to forget about this game and say it didn't happen. But it is our obligation to pick ourselves up and prepare for the second game against Southampton.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4787062/Jose-Mourinho-s-feet-ground-4-0-win-v-West-Ham.html

bagus bos, tetap merendah, perjalanan masih panjang, masih ada 37 game lagi. semoga tetap dipuncak diakhir Mei tahun depan

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Manchester United's rivals should be worried... you can't catch Jose Mourinho once he gets his team ahead

* Manchester United secured their second 4-0 league victory in a row at Swansea
* Once teams managed by Jose Mourinho get a lead they're tough to catch
* His United squad look settled and strong as he embarks on his second season

Manchester United's get-ahead start has had historians looking back to 1907. The dates that should concern United's rivals, however, are considerably more recent — 2014-15 and 2005-06. The years of the last two Premier League titles won by Jose Mourinho.

The sight of his team top of the table on the back of two 4-0 victories is ominous, given Mourinho's previous. This is United's best start to a campaign since 1907-08 when a 4-1 win at Aston Villa was followed by a 4-0 victory over Liverpool. Those looking for portents say that was when the title was won that year.

Yet Mourinho, with his nose in front, is even more dangerous than the ghost of Billy Meredith. United's manager is a front-runner, the way Tiger Woods used to be. Woods never won a major that he did not at least co-lead going into the final day. Mourinho wins his Premier League titles as imperiously. He dominates, early. Gets in front and crushes resistance into the turf.


Jose Mourinho's Manchester United have got out to an ominous early Premier League lead

His last title, in his second stint at Chelsea, was collected after leading from gun to tape. Chelsea won 3-1 at Burnley on the first Monday of the season to go top and did not relinquish that position through 37 rounds.

In the final title victory of his first spell, it took Chelsea until the third game to lead. A 4-0 victory over West Brom put them there but, after that, they could not be shifted.

Even Mourinho's first Premier League title, a year earlier, was won from head of the pack. Chelsea were second by week two and one better after beating Everton on November 6, their 12th game of the season. Again, they stayed on for the remainder.

Indeed, in winning his three Premier League titles, Mourinho has never surrendered the lead once taken. For Manchester United to be the early front-runners, and with such a resounding goal difference, smacks of a textbook Mourinho campaign.The Red Devils' look in ominous form as they secured their second 4-0 league win in a row

True, he has had two of the season's lamer ducks as opposition — Swansea, who prepared for the visit of Manchester United by selling their best player, and West Ham, who appear determined to begin each year as the crisis club — yet even so, an 8-0 goal difference is an impressive statement of intent.


The Red Devils' look in ominous form as they secured their second 4-0 league win in a row

Frank Lampard has talked in the past of Mourinho's way of building dressing-room confidence and United already have buoyancy about their play this year.

Of course, as Mourinho pointed out at the weekend, United started with two wins last season and finished sixth. But this feels different.

Mourinho is getting outstanding performances from a settled group of players: Paul Pogba, Phil Jones, Nemanja Matic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marcus Rashford, even Anthony Martial off the bench, all look stronger this season.

A year ago, there were still questions about the defence, about Wayne Rooney, about the style. No such uncertainties exist 12 months on. This looks a complete team, a Mourinho team, and ready to set the pace. We have seen this film before and know how it ends.

United's best start in 110 years is impressive; but it is modern, not ancient, history that contains a lesson for their rivals.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4807618/Why-Man-Utd-s-rivals-worried-Martin-Samuel.html

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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has built the team in his image - their first two games of the season prove they will be hard to stop

* Manchester United are top of the Premier League following back to back wins
* They won both games 4-0, with £75m man Romelu Lukaku immediately on form
* Manager Jose Mourinho has knack of winning titles in his second season at clubs
* Mourinho has moulded United in his image - tough to beat, but capable of quality

So often has Jose Mourinho’s track record in his second season at clubs been quoted it is beginning to sound a little cliche, but there is reason behind his history of winning a domestic title the campaign after being appointed.

So particular are his methods, it requires time for players already in place to fully engage. Then there is the transfer market, where Mourinho always demands specific qualities that usually take two or three windows to acquire.

Once all that is sorted, the creative tension sparked by Mourinho’s exacting standards tends to produce a driven squad that leads from gun to finish post.

How long that success sustains is open to scrutiny but for Manchester United supporters, it is difficult to guard against expectations that this season at least is following a familiar pattern.

Two comprehensive 4-0 victories in succession have United top and, for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson looked on from the dugout, carrying a genuine impression of potential champions.

Here, Sportsmail examines how Mourinho has shaped a side that appears the real deal...


Manchester United are top of the Premier League after two games following back-to-back wins. United manager Jose Mourinho has a habit of winning the title in his second season at clubs. Mourinho has moulded United into his image - tough to beat, but capable of quality football

Goals, goals, goals

First the caveats: in West Ham and Swansea, the opposition has been meagre and clearly not yet settled after complex summers. That should not discount the deeper truth, that Mourinho’s United have a multifaceted attack capable of scoring from a variety of means and identities.

Of the eight so far, Romelu Lukaku has three, Paul Pogba two, Anthony Martial two and Eric Bailly one, a good spread from front to back.

Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Marcus Rashford have all made goalkeepers work too, with United’s shots count totalling 28 – a figure justifying the scorelines. Last season United suffered from a failure to finish, often besieging teams at Old Trafford but coming away with draws. Their current conversion rate marries more with what we might expect.

Part of that lies in the manner of United’s chance creation. Already this season goals have come via lightening counter attacks – a rarity in Mourinho’s debut campaign – set pieces, and gradual build-up play.

Should Zlatan Ibrahimovic return from his injury by January as expected then United’s offensive options are even greater enhanced.


Mourinho has signed many players over six foot tall, including Lukaku and £89m Paul Pogba

High hopes

Again, much has been said about Mourinho’s magnetism towards tall players but the evidence is bearing out. Admittedly at the Liberty Stadium, Bailly benefitted from slack defending to Pogba’s header but at that corner Swansea had to keep an eye on those two plus Lukaku and Nemanja Matic, all well over six foot. Against West Ham, it was Lukaku who made the most of the set piece cross.

This will undoubtedly prove a familiar scenario, with Marouane Fellaini, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick and potentially Ibrahimovic to enter the fray at corners and free-kicks as member of the six-foot-plus club.

Given how many goals are scored via set pieces, stacking the team with height is a means of improving odds for victory while at the other end making it harder for opponents. A Mourinjo template: obvious, yet effective.

Quality street

Overlooked a little amid the focus on Mourinho’s muscularity is the sheer ability of the players at his disposal. Even before United broke the deadlock their approach looked too much for Swansea. With all players comfortable on the ball, there was a concerted pressure high up the pitch and an impetus to the possession.

As Matic dictated from deeper, the forward players roamed into spaces, finding passes to tease Swansea’s defence apart and though it did not directly lead to a goal it inevitably tired the legs of those in white. It is no coincidence United have extended leads late in these two games.

In previous seasons, including Mourinho’s first but most clearly under Louis Van Gaal, possession was tantamount to tedium – control of the ball without penetration.

In South Wales, United had 59.1 per cent possession, with 57.7 per cent territorial advantage – a significant lead over a side who are themselves eager to keep ball. Against West Ham, those numbers were 55.2 per cent and 54.6 per cent.

It would mean nothing without the final product, of course, but already we have seen gilded touches to hint at continued success. Pogba’s finish against Swansea was delightful, while Martial has twice come off the bench to make a telling contribution of quality.


As well as power, United are blessed with pace through the likes of Marcus Rashford up front

Speed freaks

Perhaps of most joy to United fans treated to years of quick feet under Ferguson has been a return of lightning-fast counter attacks. Lukaku’s debut United goal was a magnificent case in point, Matic starting the move with an interception and running into open space utilised by Rashford in freeing his Belgian strike partner.

Swansea also found out the cost of losing the ball to United when key individuals are in place to ‘run free’, as Mourinho put it. Pogba galloped clear to feed Martial, whose speed in possession has never been in question.

Mourinho’s faith in Rashford has yet to be returned in a goal for the young forward but his constant desire to run at defences will cause problems for opponents all season, while Jesse Lingard can arrive off the bench to stretch backlines further when sapped of energy. Mkhitaryan is no slouch either.


Eric Bailly continues to impress at centre back following a good debut campaign last season

Case for the defence

Two clean sheets in two matches might say more about the striking deficiencies of West Ham and Swansea but with 10 men against Southampton Slaven Bilic’s side showed they are not easily blunted, so perhaps credit should go to United’s defence.

Bailly looks to have pushed on again from a promising debut campaign and Phil Jones coming back once again must feel like the most pleasing surprise. Jones has been assured and though we have been here before if he can stay injury free at the age of 25, then Sir Bobby Charlton’s comparison of Duncan Edwards may yet be shown to have validity.

Smalling is ready an able to step in, while Victor Lindelof is being kept in storage as he settles into English football. But his displays for Benfica point to a defender of considerable ability once acclimatised.


United have a deep squad, with Mourinho able to call on back-up options like Marouane Fellaini

Rotation, rotation, rotation

Mourinho has named the same side for both games, and there is little reason to suspect he will alter things for the visit of Leicester. Perhaps Martial could come in for Mata, but the Spaniard does provide an important cog upfield.

Irrespective, United’s manager has a variety of options depending on circumstances. He has brought on Fellaini in both games to shore up United at set pieces, provide midfield cover to free Pogba, and offer a route out of defence through the aerial long ball.

Then there is Lingard, able enough to play in any of the three positions behind the striker. Ander Herrara, United’s player of the season last year, cannot get in because of Matic’s imperious start, but has it within him to produce more displays of the kind that so comprehensively did for Chelsea at Old Trafford last April.

Carrick is yet to be included in a squad, while Mourinho could also expect to call upon Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, and even Luke Shaw should circumstances arise. Should Lukaku get injured tactics would need to be tweaked but Ibrahimovic’s return remains probable in any case.

Then there is the continued pursuit for another winger. It is just a start, but the immediate future looks bright for United.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4808932/Man-Utd-boss-Jose-Mourinho-built-team-image.html

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Manchester United stars given home comforts as Jose Mourinho decides to ditch Lowry stay-over before matches

* Jose Mourinho to allow players to stay at their homes before Old Trafford games
* Manchester United stars have stayed at the Lowry Hotel in previous campaigns
* Mourinho has also handed fitness coach Carlos Lalin a more prominent role
* The Portuguese is keen to put his own stamp on the club a year after arriving

Jose Mourinho has placed more trust in his Manchester United stars by allowing them to stay at home before games at Old Trafford.

Mourinho is continuing to put his stamp on the club and he has also given fitness coach Carlos Lalin a more prominent role as part of a shake-up of the medical department this summer.

The United manager told his squad before the opening Premier League fixture against West Ham nine days ago that they did not have to report to the Lowry Hotel on the evening before the match as usual.


Jose Mourinho is ready to put more trust in his players by letting them stay at home


Manchester United have stayed at the Lowry the night before home games for a decade

Instead, United’s players were allowed to spend Saturday night at home with their partners and families before having a pre-match meal and team meeting at the Lowry on Sunday.

The new procedure is expected to be in place again when they face Leicester City at home on Saturday.

United have been staying overnight at the five-star hotel for more than a decade since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, with both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal continuing the pre-match tradition.

But Mourinho believes his players will benefit by being at home, and trusts them to prepare for games in the right way without having to report for duty.

However, the United squad have been told that the new arrangement will be monitored throughout the new season to ensure players do not break the rules.

It’s understood that the majority of them have welcomed the move, although some senior players have expressed reservations.


The majority of the Manchester United squad have welcomed the move but concerns remain

‘They’re concerned that it will become too lax and the younger ones might take advantage,’ a source told Sportsmail last night.

United still have nearly two years left on their current deal with the Lowry where Mourinho has been living in a luxury suite since he took over as manager last summer.

The 54-year-old is now the only member of United’s coaching staff staying at the hotel after all but one of his assistants moved to nearby apartments close to the Manchester Arena.

Mourinho’s decision to relax the rules surrounding United’s pre-match preparations is in contrast to his predecessor Van Gaal whose strict regime included team meetings throughout the evening and a compulsory ‘supper club’ for the players followed by a 10.30pm bedtime.

While Mourinho is more laid-back in this respect, he is known to been frustrated with how long it took some of his injured players to return to action last season.

It’s understood that Lalin, the fitness coach who also worked with him at Real Madrid and Chelsea, now has more responsibility than his title suggests.

United shuffled their medical personnel last month with first-team physio Neil Hough switching jobs after three years in the role to head up the academy’s physiotherapy department with a broader responsibility for all United’s age-group teams.

Hough’s No.2 Richard Merron has stepped up to replace him this season, with academy physio Jon Picot joining Merron in the first-team set-up.

But Lalin is believed to be exerting greater influence behind the scenes, with Mourinho keen for one of his trusted lieutenants to try and speed up the players’ recovery process.

Marcos Rojo, who was not expected to play again until December, was pictured in first-team training on Tuesday after Luke Shaw and Ashley Young made their comebacks in an Under-23 game on Monday night.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4813752/Man-United-stars-gifted-home-comforts-Jose-Mourinho.html

[zudomiriku]

Jose Mourinho is in the groove at Manchester United after a brilliant start to the new season

* Jose Mourinho has a spring back in his step again at Manchester United
* Mourinho has his side playing brilliant football and winning matches
* The United boss can now rely on a sturdy defence that concedes very few
* While he isn't getting carried away he is aware things are going rather well

With Jose Mourinho, the devil's in the detail. For everything a reason, from body language to attire. Here was no different — he has messages to send.

Before kick-off, in the jaws of Old Trafford, Mourinho stood at the back of the tunnel. Every Manchester United player passed before their manager, who was chomping ferociously on chewing gum. It evoked memories of a certain Sir Alex Ferguson, and so did this result.

United had to wait for late goals off the bench but were able to rely on patience after a sturdy defensive display. They have not conceded a Premier League goal for eight hours. Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have been imperious.

Jones sustained an ankle problem, but appeared to leave the ground walking freely. 'If we manage to have him safe I think potentially he's everything I like in a central defender,' said Mourinho.

High praise as United's boss downplayed maximum points, claiming he would expect to win every game with a full week to prepare. Sadly for him, those free midweeks stop soon.

'When you start playing every two days, every three days, it's more based on what you build during pre-season,' he said.

Mourinho looks like a man who knows this season could be different. So, to the body language — shaking Craig Shakespeare's hand before full-time, edging towards the tunnel and then slowly making his way back inside with a nonchalant flick to the Stretford End as he disappeared.


Jose Mourinho looks to have things under control at Manchester United in his second year

No great celebrations, he was not overly emotional when the goals flew in. No, he was saying, this should be routine.

Leicester were accomplished, making Mourinho look to his bench for Marcus Rashford, who changed this game by scoring the opener and having a big hand in the second.

Rashford made the first all by himself, taking a ball from deep, playing up to Paul Pogba inside the penalty area and following his run. Demarai Gray was day-dreaming and did not check Rashford as he went beyond Pogba.

The striker won a corner and then stood still 10 yards from goal while others jostled around him. Nobody picked him up, and when the ball broke to him he swept it past Kasper Schmeichel. Marouane Fellaini added the second and United won the game.

'I think you get punished by any team if you switch off, and it's something we need to put right,' Shakespeare said.

The Leicester boss left Old Trafford with a hand slap and man hug from Mourinho, who again loitered in the mouth of the tunnel in his tailored suit. Earphones in, mobile in hand, Mourinho was video-calling without a care for who was watching. A smile at the screen, a sense of loosening up. Early days, but the details feel different this time.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4828296/Mourinho-finally-having-way-Man-United.html

[Andi Istiabudi]

WHY UNITED'S SUBS HAVE ALREADY MADE HISTORY

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has already been enthusiastic about his options off the bench this season and they have certainly delivered the goods.

Indeed, for the first time in the club's history, a substitute has scored in each of the opening three league games of the campaign. Anthony Martial came on to good effect against West Ham United and Swansea City, getting in on the act with a goal on both occasions.

And, when the Frenchman started in the 2-0 win over Leicester City last weekend, second-half replacements Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini both netted to secure another three valuable points.

It shows the value of squad depth and this is something the boss has been keen to develop at Old Trafford. Bringing on speedsters such as Martial and Rashford to expose any tiring limbs in the closing stages of games looks like a plan that will continue to bear fruit.

In his United Review programme notes, the manager made it clear that he needs all of the players ready to shine with the schedule set to become more arduous now we are into September. There are seven fixtures this month alone with the return to Champions League accompanied by the start of the defence of the newly named Carabao Cup, against Burton Albion.

"I'll have more games and more opportunities to give all of my players the game time they deserve," wrote Jose. "As ever, all the boys are working hard. It might be easy for people to praise the ones who have done so well in the opening games of the season, but I prefer to praise the amazing professionals who are not playing at the moment. They might not have played the minutes they would have liked so far, but they are all being very patient and waiting for their opportunity to become important for the team.

"While I can only pick 11 players to start each game, the boys all know they will get chances and I know I can count on any of them whenever selected."

From a fan's perspective, it is a delight to see players entering the field and looking desperate to make their mark in a bid to force their way into the starting line-up. It worked with Martial as he earned a spot in the side for the visit of the Foxes while Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Fellaini each gave the boss food for thought with their cameos in the latest victory.

United's Player of the Year, Ander Herrera, will still have a key part to play even if he has been used sparingly thus far and this, again, illustrates the wealth of options available this term. We all know the role substitutes have played in the club's history in the past, never more so than in the 1999 Treble-winning campaign, of course, when stars came off the bench to achieve glory in the FA Cup semi-final (Ryan Giggs), Premier League finale (Andy Cole), FA Cup final (Teddy Sheringham) and Champions League final (Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer).

If ever any subs needed reminding that they will always be a vital part of the team, this should provide it. In the short term, let's hope opposition teams take a glance at our bench and continue to fear the options available to Mourinho at any time.

www.manutd.com