UNITED TRAIN AHEAD OF LEICESTER MATCH

FEATURES

22/08/2017 12:00, Report by Matt Bullin, Mark Froggatt

PICS: UNITED TRAIN AHEAD OF LEICESTER MATCH

Our cameras were at the Aon Training Complex on Tuesday morning to capture Jose Mourinho's Manchester United at work, ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Leicester City.

The Reds are currently top of the table following consecutive 4-0 wins over West Ham United and Swansea City, which means spirits are high in the camp. Morale has also been boosted by Luke Shaw and Ashley Young both returning from injury with the club's Under-23s on Monday night, as well Marcos Rojo being back among the group as he continues his own rehabilitation from a serious knee problem.

Tuesday morning's training session was photographed by our snappers and also broadcast live on MUTV, with former United striker Andy Ritchie in the studio to provide his analysis of the players involved.

Here are three standout points from the ex-Red...

THE PLAYERS ARE PUSHING EACH OTHER
“It looked like a light, fun session to keep that air of optimism. It is nice to see Marcos Rojo around the group, as well as Luke Shaw and Ashley Young after their game with the Under-23s. It looks like a happy group. You want the squad players to be on the coattails of those who are starting. You want that competition. We have a great squad and virtually two or three players for every position. They are all onside together, even though some are not playing, and there is no negativity – which is key."

POGBA IS SETTLED AND CONFIDENT
“I always felt it would be difficult for Paul in his first season back at the club because of the enormity of the transfer fee, the expectation of everybody who wanted a season like he just had at Juventus, and just people thinking he would blitz the Premier League. That just does not happen. He still had a good season, but he perhaps thought he had to look like a £90million player. I think he has settled in now and he is comfortable where he is. He is not trying too hard, which I think he did last season at times. The scary thing is that we have at least five or six years of him in his prime yet.”

LET’S TRY TO BLITZ LEICESTER
“Harry Maguire does look a proper threat from set-pieces and we know they will try to get in behind us, with Jamie Vardy stretching the defence. Then you have Shinji Okazaki buzzing around and not giving you a moment of piece. If Rihad Mahrez is on board then he can be a massive threat for them as well. Is he totally right in terms of his mentality though? He was involved in one of the goals at the weekend, yes, but still has a lot of transfer speculation surrounding him. It is a difficult game, but let's attack them and try to blitz them like we did against West Ham and Swansea at the weekend.”

Click the main image above to see the full gallery of United's latest training session.

 

 

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FOOTBALL NEWS

23/08/2017 09:40, Report by Matt Bullin

YOUNG: IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK FROM INJURY

Ashley Young is ready to answer Jose Mourinho's call, having returned to action from a lengthy injury lay-off with a 59-minute cameo for Manchester United's Under-23s on Monday night.

The experienced and versatile Red was joined in the Reserves side by Luke Shaw, as the pair continued to build their fitness in the 1-1 draw with Swansea City at Leigh Sports Village.

The United duo played for just under an hour and Shaw told us afterwards that Ricky Sbragia's prospects will benefit by learning from a player as accomplished as Young. 

In an exclusive post-match interview with MUTV, Young admitted he is now desperate to make his first-team comeback in the coming weeks and hopes to make a positive impact when it happens.

“It’s great to be back,” Young said. “As a player, you want to be back on the pitch and it was good to get minutes under my belt. I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fit. I could’ve played longer, but I was brought off. I’ve worked hard since I had the operation done 13 weeks ago so I’m happy to be back out there.

“I’ve been training with the team for 10 days or so now,” Young continued. “So, whenever the manager calls on me, I’m ready to go. For us, it was a bit like a pre-season game, we’re obviously trying to get the win, but we wanted to get the fitness levels up too, and we’ll just take it from here.”

Next for Mourinho’s men is a Premier League clash against Leicester City at Old Trafford on Saturday, a day after Sbragia’s Reserves travel down south to face Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night, with the action live on MUTV.

 

 

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FEATURES

22/08/2017 12:00, Report by Matt Bullin, Mark Froggatt

 UNITED TRAIN AHEAD OF LEICESTER MATCH

Our cameras were at the Aon Training Complex on Tuesday morning to capture Jose Mourinho's Manchester United at work, ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Leicester City.

The Reds are currently top of the table following consecutive 4-0 wins over West Ham United and Swansea City, which means spirits are high in the camp. Morale has also been boosted by Luke Shaw and Ashley Young both returning from injury with the club's Under-21s on Monday night, as well Marcos Rojo being back among the group as he continues his own rehabilitation from a serious knee problem.

Tuesday morning's training session was photographed by our snappers and also broadcast live on MUTV, with former United striker Andy Ritchie in the studio to provide his analysis of the players involved.

Here are three standout points from the ex-Red...

THE PLAYERS ARE PUSHING EACH OTHER
“It looked like a light, fun session to keep that air of optimism. It is nice to see Marcos Rojo around the group, as well as Luke Shaw and Ashley Young after their game with the Under-23s. It looks like a happy group. You want the squad players to be on the coattails of those who are starting. You want that competition. We have a great squad and virtually two or three players for every position. They are all onside together, even though some are not playing, and there is no negativity – which is key."

POGBA IS SETTLED AND CONFIDENT
“I always felt it would be difficult for Paul in his first season back at the club because of the enormity of the transfer fee, the expectation of everybody who wanted a season like he just had at Juventus, and just people thinking he would blitz the Premier League. That just does not happen. He still had a good season, but he perhaps thought he had to look like a £90million player. I think he has settled in now and he is comfortable where he is. He is not trying too hard, which I think he did last season at times. The scary thing is that we have at least five or six years of him in his prime yet.”

LET’S TRY TO BLITZ LEICESTER
“Harry Maguire does look a proper threat from set-pieces and we know they will try to get in behind us, with Jamie Vardy stretching the defence. Then you have Shinji Okazaki buzzing around and not giving you a moment of piece. If Rihad Mahrez is on board then he can be a massive threat for them as well. Is he totally right in terms of his mentality though? He was involved in one of the goals at the weekend, yes, but still has a lot of transfer speculation surrounding him. It is a difficult game, but let's attack them and try to blitz them like we did against West Ham and Swansea at the weekend.”

Click the main image above to see the full gallery of United's latest training session.

 

 

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FOOTBALL NEWS

22/08/2017 09:07, Report by Mark Froggatt

SHAW WANTS SENIOR RETURN AFTER U23S CAMEO

Luke Shaw has declared himself fit and ready to make a first-team return at Jose Mourinho’s request, after a successful comeback from injury with Manchester United’s Under-23s on Monday.

The 22-year-old left-back had not played in any sort of match since damaging ligaments versus Swansea City at Old Trafford last April, but he gladly made his return to action at Leigh Sports Village as Ricky Sbragia’s youngsters secured a 1-1 draw, coincidentally against the Swans' youth side.

Shaw played for 59 minutes on Monday and so too did Ashley Young, who had also been side-lined through injury since picking up a serious hamstring problem in last season’s UEFA Europa League semi-final, first leg tie at Celta Vigo in Spain, rendering Monday an important night for the duo.

“I’m feeling really good and I only push on from here,” a smiling Shaw told MUTV after the final whistle. “I’m looking for the first-team spot now, I’m going to keep pushing, and when the manager needs me I’m going to be ready. Whenever that is, I’m really looking forward to it. I’d rather it was sooner rather than later, but I’m feeling good and whenever I’m called upon, I’m ready.

“I was very happy to get an hour tonight – it was very important for me and for Ashley to get the minutes after the rehab we’ve had. It was a very positive 60 minutes – me and Ash both feel good. I feel very good and hopefully I can push on now, keep myself fit and get stronger and stronger.”

'IT IS ALWAYS AWFUL WATCHING'
Shaw admits it has been difficult to sit in the stands as an injured player and watch his senior United team-mates in action, particularly at the end of last season when the Europa League trophy was lifted in Stockholm, Sweden, and also over the last fortnight with the start of a new Premier League campaign.

Nevertheless, Luke is delighted to see the team playing so well and he can’t wait to get back on the pitch with them. “It’s always awful watching because you want to be out there. But the lads have been really impressive and deep down it comes from the manager and his tactical stuff that we do in training which seems to be working. Everyone’s buying into it and working hard on the training pitch to do what he wants us to do. The lads are looking really good and now I’m going to be pushing to be back up there with them.”

YOUNGSTERS LIFTED BY YOUNGY
Ashley used his personal Instagram account to reflect on the beneficial outing, posting an image from the game with this message to his followers: “Felt great to be back, it has been a long few months!”

Young's presence among the young players also provided a shot in the arm for Sbragia’s prospects, according to Shaw. “I’m grateful to have been playing first-team football for four years now, so I’ve got experience, but we had the likes of Youngy in the dressing room with way more experience than me. He’s been through it all and knows everything for the young lads in the dressing room.

“You could tell on the pitch and even inside that he was great for everyone. It was great for morale among the young lads to be around Ashley, with the way he is vocally, and what he does on the pitch, which is so impressive. He’s someone for them to look up to.”

WHAT'S NEXT FOR LUKE?
United welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford on Saturday in what is the final senior match before the impending international break, and it appears unlikely that Shaw will be involved in that game. However, the manager has previously stated that he expects the defender to return in September and that is likely with seven first-team fixtures to fulfill in the top-flight, UEFA Champions League and Carabao Cup.

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FEATURES

22/08/2017 10:00, Report by Matt Bullin

MARTIAL IS BECOMING UNITED'S NEW SUPER SUB

Anthony Martial is proving to be a super sub for Manchester United this season, judging by his impressive cameo appearances in the consecutive 4-0 wins over West Ham and Swansea City.

The 21-year-old Frenchman has experienced only 33 minutes of top-flight action so far, yet he has definitely not wasted that time on the pitch by bagging two goals and supplying an assist.

Martial's first strike was registered against the Hammers at Old Trafford with a calm finish past Joe Hart, capping his 14-minute outing in the Premier League opener. The second arrived on Saturday at the Liberty Stadium in Wales, where he enjoyed a 19-minute run-out and slotted in United’s final goal.

Impressively, Anthony’s two goals have come from his only two efforts on target, which gives him a handsome 100 per cent conversion rate at this early stage of the season. That figure exhibits a certain level of composure and maturity from someone so young, who clearly knows when to pull the trigger.

The former Monaco star’s passing statistics are also admirable, as he has completed 18 of his 20 attempted passes throughout his 33 minutes of Premier League football in 2017/18 thus far. Those of you with a mind for maths will already know that provides him with a 90 per cent success rate.

Of course, goals will always be the most important statistic for any attacking player and it is encouraging for Martial that he has already scored twice in 2017/18, given that he did not reach that number last season until 20 October 2016 and only chalked up eight goal for that entire campaign.

Following his two eye-catching appearances, Martial is presumably now in the frame to start on Saturday when former champions Leicester City visit Old Trafford in the final match before the international break.

The France international may be hard-pressed to force his way into the XI, though, with Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also playing so well at this early stage.

Jose Mourinho has also suggested he cannot change a team that wins 4-0 and that is sound logic, so it is likely that Anthony will again take his spot as a dangerous weapon on the bench this weekend.

Nevertheless, the manager recently spoke positively about his belief in Martial on Saturday following the win at Swansea. "We are using him well and he is coming with the right attitude," Jose said. 

"We had a conversation abut the future he has here, and I think he has a good connection on the pitch with Paul and Romelu. He is coming and growing in confidence. Of course, two periods of 20 minutes and he has scored two goals. That is great for his confidence. Of course he wants to play, he wants to start, he wants to be selected for the national team, to go to the World Cup, so that is good. For me it is simple. I cannot play in the Champions League, the Premier League and the cups with 11 players. I need the squad.

"Anthony is working well, really well. Maybe the little group of French-speaking players - Fellaini, Paul, Lukaku - is a group where he is very well integrated and they bring him up. His professional level has improved and we are happy. We have lots of hopes for him and he can only improve."

Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Anthony Martial’s form is a massive positive this season.

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RESERVES

21/08/2017 21:00, Report by Cliff Butler

RESERVES: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 SWANSEA 1

Premier League 2 | Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: Gorre 53; Boonen 79 

Manchester United's Reserves grabbed a late point against Swansea City at Leigh Sports Village in front of 2,136 fans, who also saw Luke Shaw and Ashley Young both make a successful return from long-term injuries.

This may have been a reserve-team fixture, to use old-fashioned terminology for a second-team game, but it was a hugely important evening for senior duo Shaw and Young, who were both returning to action after being side-lined through injury for almost four months.

Shaw damaged ligaments, coincidentally, against the Swans at Old Trafford last April, while Young picked up a serious hamstring problem during the Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo in Spain.

United’s pre-match planning was disrupted as early as the third minute when they lost defender Ro-Shaun Williams after he took a knock to his head. He was given treatment on the field but after a few minutes he was helped off looking in an unstable state. Fortunately, United had a ready-made replacement in Tyrell Warren on the bench to fill the void.

The Reds were presented with the opportunity to take the lead in the ninth minute, when Joshua Bohui was felled in the area by Swans’ skipper Joe Rodon.

Demetri Mitchell, who grabbed United’s winner at Leicester last week, stepped up to the plate, but his shot flew wide of the keeper’s right-hand post to leave the teams on level terms.

The Reds held sway for much of the first half, with Young and Shaw linking up on more than one occasion, but chances of real quality were few and far between. 

It was certainly as useful workout for the returning stars, with Young in particular taking several heavy challenges in what was turning out to be quite a physical contest.

Eight minutes into the second half and Kenji Gorre, one of two United old-boys in the Swansea side, Tyler Reid being the other, fired his team into the lead with shot from the edge of the area.

A few moments later and speculative effort from Mitchell bounced off the top of Swansea’s crossbar. Young and Shaw, having undergone a really good return to action, were both withdrawn to be replaced by Joe Riley and Tosin Kehinde.

It had been a very encouraging return for the pair, who will surely be aiming to back in the first-team picture as soon as possible.

Indy Boonen grabbed United’s equaliser with 11 minutes remaining, with a close-range finish after the Swansea defence had failed to clear their lines.

United: J. Pereira; Olosunde, Williams (Warren 3), Tuanzebe, Shaw (Kehinde 59); Young (Riley 59), McTominay, Willock, Mitchell; Boonen; Bohui. Subs not used: Richardson, Hamilton.

 

 

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FOOTBALL NEWS

21/08/2017 13:30, Report by Mark Froggatt

MARTIAL: POGBA CAN BE WORLD'S BEST PLAYER

Anthony Martial believes his Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba is “probably the best midfield player in the world”, who could become a Ballon d’Or winner within five years.

Martial made that claim while speaking to MUTV last month for an upcoming documentary about Pogba, who has since made an excellent start to the season by scoring two goals and setting up four others in the consecutive 4-0 Premier League wins over West Ham United and Swansea City.

The stage is certainly set for Pogba to enjoy a successful second season under Jose Mourinho's management, following a 2016/17 campaign that yielded 53 appearances, nine goals and three trophies. 

Martial feels his friend has all of the physical and mental attributes that are needed to become the world’s best player, as he told us: “Paul is very mentally strong and he is very sure of himself.

“He is a big guy, he is very technical on the ball and he has lots of endurance,” Martial continued. “I would say he is probably the best midfield player in the world. He is still young, too, so he has a lot to work on and he can get even better. As a person you can see he is always the same. He is funny, always smiling, he doesn’t take himself too seriously, I always see him laughing and he is a good friend of mine. He is the same person on and off the pitch, and he'll continue to be like this.”

At the age of 24, Pogba still has most of his professional career ahead of him Martial delivered a confident response when asked what his fellow Frenchman will have achieved in five years’ time.

“We want to win a lot of trophies together at United, and we also want to win the World Cup with France,” Anthony outlined. “If he continues to play and improve like he is doing then I think he is also going to win the Ballon d’Or award in the next five years.”

AND THE WINNER IS...UEFA will announce the winner of their 2016/17 Europa League Player of the Season award in Monaco on Friday, when the ceremony for the group stage draw of the competition - plus the Champions League - takes place. Pogba started every Europa League game in 2016/17 and scored the opening goal during the 2-0 win over AFC Ajax in the Stockholm final last May. That helped to earn him a nomination from a panel of judges that consisted of every manager who was involved in the group stage of the Europa League, plus journalists. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are also up for the prize.

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