My life in Manchester is a disaster - Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says living alone in a hotel in the City of Manchester is a 'bit of a disaster'.

Mourinho has been living in the city's Lowry Hotel since being appointed United manager in the summer and the former Chelsea boss whose family is in London claims he is loath to venture out because of the persistent hordes of photographers camped outside his hotel.

"I just want to cross the bridge and go to a restaurant. I can't, so it's really bad.
"For me it's a bit of a disaster because I want sometimes to walk a little bit and I can't.

"The reality is that my daughter will be 20 next week, my son will be 17 in a couple of months. They are very stable.

"University in London. Football in London. Friends. So they are in an age where they can't chase me like they did before. So for the first time the family lives in a different way." Mourinho told Sky Sports.

Mourinho who reportedly earns more than £10m a year is believed to be searching for an apartment but hinted that he is missing his family.

Mourinho relaxed about Chelsea return

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has claimed he is undeterred by the prospect of returning to former club Chelsea in the Premier League this Sunday afternoon.

The 53-year-old is the most successful boss in Blues history following his two spells in charge at Stamford Bridge after winning three championship crowns, three League Cups and the FA Cup.

Mourinho’s second stint with Chelsea ended with his departure midway through the 2015/16 season following a disappointing start to the title defence, which led to him later being recruited by United in June and he will return for the first time as Reds boss this coming weekend.

Speaking at a press conference that was held after the Europa League win over Fenerbahce on Thursday night, Mourinho was asked to assess Chelsea’s form under new manager Antonio Conte and provide an assessment of what it will be like for him to return to his old employers.

“I don’t have to analyse their start to the season but, when you look at the table and you see where they are, in the middle positions, it cannot be bad,” the boss said. “I knew that working in England, staying in the Premier League, I would, sooner or later, have to play against Chelsea and I would have to go to Stamford Bridge. The computer has decided that I have to go now, so we go.”

Following his first departure from Chelsea in 2007, Mourinho returned to west London with new club Inter Milan and told the media he is “always lucky at the Bridge”. When asked how important that might be this time around, the United boss explained why his comment is no longer valid. 

“When I played there with Inter, before that, I had never lost a match at Stamford Bridge because I had that [unbeaten] home record,” he said. “Now, I lost already a few matches at the Bridge. Last season, I lost two or three matches so I cannot use the same words. Now, I lost there.”

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho claims Liverpool deserve criticism for performance

Jose Mourinho rubbished concerns over Manchester United's possession stats at Liverpool by insisting Jurgen Klopp's side deserved more criticism.

United enjoyed just 35 per cent of possession in their goalless draw at Anfield - their lowest in a Premier League game for 13 years. Mourinho claimed after the game they actually had 42 per cent but match data issued by Opta stated it was 35 per cent.

David de Gea made two phenomenal saves from Emre Can and Philippe Coutinho in the second-half, having made a simple stop in the first period, but Mourinho was keen to highlight how little Liverpool worked the Spaniard over the course of the 90 minutes.

"Look, last season United won here," Mourinho said. "Liverpool had 14 shots on target and United had one. How many shots on target did Liverpool have today? Two? Two shots with 65 per cent of possession. You have to be critical of Liverpool, not of us, because 65 per cent and two shots, it is their problem, not our problem.

"I think the team was perfect. Even the goalkeeper was on holiday for 90 minutes but he had two big saves to do and he did."

Mourinho also felt Liverpool's decision to pair Jordan Henderson with Can was 'cautious', a tactic enforced on Klopp by Giorgino Wijnaldum's unavailability due to injury.

"We stopped them to play, but they also did very well by the defensive point of view," Mourinho said. "They played Can and Henderson for some reason, and they did that for 90 minutes, so they normally project more players in attack.

"They were very cautious, they kept always Can and Henderson in position, they had only one player behind the three more offensive players, so I think it was that intention to try and control us, which they also did well.

"I think it was a good performance, difficult match for us and for them and I think we controlled the game tactically and we controlled the game emotionally, and it's not easy to do both things in here.

"The result I think is acceptable, we wanted more for long periods in the game we thought that we could be positive but we didn't score and we don't score we don't win, but I think a very positive performance."

Leicester dumped by four-goal Manchester United

Manchester United got their title quest back on track with a resounding victory over Leicester City at Old Trafford.

Having lost back-to-back Premier League matches Jose Mourinho’s side responded by blowing Leicester away with four first-half goals from Chris Smalling, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba.

Smalling, captain in place of the benched Wayne Rooney, headed in Daley Blind’s corner midway through the first half, and three goals in the final eight minutes of the half put the hosts out of sight.

Mata produced a sublime finish on 37 minutes after Jesse Lingard had laid off Pogba’s chipped pass, and two minutes later Rashford scored from close range, after Mata helped on Blind’s quickly-taken corner.

Pogba made it four on 42 minutes, heading another Blind corner past Ron-Robert Zieler and though Demarai Gray, on for Jamie Vardy, reduced the arrears on the hour there was no coming back for the defending champions.

Man United 'weighing up January swoop' for Real Madrid outcast Isco

Isco in Man United's sights

It hasn't been a good week for Manchester United. First came defeat in the Manchester derby, then the Europa League defeat to Feyenoord, then a dismal day out at Watford.

But here's something that might lift the spirits of United fans a bit: The Red Devils are "weighing up a January swoop for Real Madrid midfielder Isco," according to the Mirror.

It reports that the Spain international is on boss Jose Mourinho's list of targets for the next transfer window as he looks to address his side's creative struggles. Isco would cost around £25 million and, the Mirror reports, is a realistic target, despite being under contract until 2018, because he "has fallen down the pecking order at Madrid under boss Zinedine Zidane"

The 24-year-old has made only two substitute appearances in La Liga this season, but United could face competition from Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham, all of whom have been interested in the recent past, if United are to sign him.

Arsenal, Liverpool want to keep up with the Jones

It seems to be the end of the line for England defender Phil Jones at Man United, with the Sun reporting that the club "are looking to get him off their books." And that has alerted Liverpool and the Gunners, with both prepared to swoop for the 24-year-old, who is currently on the sidelines with a ligament problem.

The Sun quotes an Old Trafford "insider" as saying: "Jose Mourinho is looking to offload Jones. They have reached the end of the line with him." He would cost in the region of £10m.

Barca to resume Bellerin chase

Shades of earlier in the summer all over again for Arsenal: Before the window closed, they were reported to have knocked back Barcelona approaches for right-back Hector Bellerin.

The one-time Camp Nou youngster -- under contract at Arsenal until 2019 -- is reported to be happy with life in North London, but the Mirror doesn't think that will stop the Catalans from making another effort to bring him back.

It quotes Barca vice president Jordi Mestre describing Spain international Bellerin as "a great player, there's no doubt about that," but it adds that the Liga champions would have to pay around £40m to land him.

If a move for the Gunners defender falls through, Barca could also consider Valencia's Joao Cancelo -- also reported to be interesting Arsenal -- or Shakhtar Donetsk's Darijo Srna.

Reds watch striker with a touch of Sass

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wants to add another striker to his ranks, but who might that be? None other than Sassuolo star Gregoire Defrel, reports the Sun.

The Anfield manager sent a scout to watch the French forward play, and score, in his side's 2-0 win over Genoa on Sunday, as Klopp looks to introduce extra competition for Daniel Sturridge. Defrel, 25, has scored five goals in six games for the Italian club this season, and Liverpool reportedly could be ready to make a January offer for him.

Mourinho blames individual and collective errors

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho blamed "individual and collective mistakes" and was critical of referee Michael Oliver after his side suffered a third successive defeat.

United's 3-1 loss at Watford on Sunday followed defeat against Manchester City in the Premier League and Feyenoord in the Europa League.

With the game goalless, Anthony Martial lost possession leading to Etienne Capoue scoring the opening goal and Mourinho felt a foul should have been given for Miguel Britos' challenge. Although Marcus Rashford eventually equalised, Watford went on to win through a goal from substitute Camilo Zuniga and then a Troy Deeney penalty.

Mourinho told BT Sport: "There's no debate, no controversy. It's an obvious situation, like last week against Manchester City, but it's something I cannot control or be critical with. In the first half, for the first 25 or 30 minutes, we didn't play well. That's something we can control and improve, then the referee and linesman's mistake is not under my control. I can do nothing to improve it.

"The second half was much better, we got the draw [equalising at 1-1] then, after that, we were the team [who looked likelier to win]. [Heurelho] Gomes made a phenomenal save [from a Zlatan Ibrahimovic header]. Luck is not something we can control. What we can control is individual and collective mistakes. The second goal is an individual mistake. We know we have to press the wing backs outside the box. Then, another individual mistake [for the third goal]."

When asked if he was concerned, Mourinho replied: "I'm always concerned when we don't get results we want. That's an obvious situation."

Mourinho continued on his theme of the players' errors in his post-match news conference, and said it is his job to ensure they are cut out in future.

"I feel that some individuals probably feel the pressure and responsibility too much," he said. "But from a collective point of view, I only have good things to say about them. At 1-1 everyone thinks we are going to win the game. We were showing complete control, intensity, creation.

"But their second goal is a mistake that goes against our plan and our training, because our intention was for their wing-backs to be pressed and not let them progress. And what happened was the guy gets the ball 20-25 metres away from our box and instead of being pressed, we give him the space to progress. [Nordin] Amrabat receives the ball and our left-back [Shaw] is 25 metres from him instead of five.

"But even at 25 you have to jump and go and press, but no, we wait. This is a tactical but also a mental attitude. It's something that doesn't become perfect in a couple of weeks. So we have to improve, no doubt, individually and collectively. And that's my job.

"We started the season very well with [winning] the Community Shield and three victories in a row in the Premier League, the best start that a new manager has had at Manchester United I think. But was I thinking that my team was ready, perfect, unbeatable? Not at all.

"I was completely aware that we were not perfect, with lots of players who are not end products and can make their own mistakes."

Asked if he felt referee Oliver should have penalised Miguel Britos' tackle on Martial in the build-up to Watford's opening goal was a foul, Mourinho said: "When you come with that question it's because you know. You don't ask me about that if you think that nothing happened. The reason you asked the question is my answer.

"The referee's crucial mistakes are not in my control, there is nothing I can do about that. That is not under my control. But against Man City you know what happened in minute 55 [when Mourinho felt United should have had a penalty for a challenge by Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo on Rooney], today you know that happened for the first goal, against Feyenoord there was the offside goal. So we were punished by these mistakes and I can't do anything about it."

Looking ahead, Mourinho told MUTV: "Tomorrow, we have a training session at 10.30 in the morning and we have to be there and we have to work, but they have to show a certain attitude towards the negative moment.

"We need positive people to give us positivity because obviously, the next time that these guys go on to a football pitch, they're going to feel -- as a normal human being -- the weight of the defeat."

Watford captain Deeney felt that his team deserved credit for how they stifled United, saying: "I am not surprised by how we played. We should take a bit more credit, we pressed well, condensed the space and were tough in the tackle. We need to be against teams like Manchester United who have high quality players and spend a lot of money."

Europa League not the competition Manchester United want - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has admitted that the Europa League is "not the big dream for every big player" but they have to find motivation and Manchester United want to win the competition.

United manager Mourinho is preparing his team for the opening Europa League game of the season on Thursday, away against Feyenoord, and is disappointed that the stadium will be at reduced capacity due to crowd trouble.

Speaking at his news conference on Wednesday, Mourinho said: "This is not a competition that Man United wants. It's not the big dream of every big player, but we are not in the Champions League.

"We come to win the game. We want to win the competition. It's difficult to do, but it's simple to feel it and to say. This is the way we want to approach the competition.

"For a club of our dimension, to do well is not to be out in the group phase. Tomorrow is an important match for us."

The United manager warned against complacency, giving a reminder of what happened to Louis van Gaal's side last season in the Europa League. They lost a first-leg tie away against minnows FC Midtjylland, which was a low point in the Dutchman's reign, and do not want a repeat.

Mourinho said: "If you see what happened last season, against Midtjylland, you don't forget that as a fan. Maybe as a player but not the fans. We have to make sure we are not sleeping."

Discussing the situation with the stadium, he added: "There is not player or manager who wants to play in an empty stadium. We are lucky it is not closed, just half of it, but half is not the same as full. Every player wants a great atmosphere.

"I remember clearly what happened against Roma [when some Feyenoord fans caused trouble, leading to the Dutch club being punished]. I don't think this is Feyenoord. Feyenoord is much bigger than a few hundred that created that situation.

"But, in the end, the clubs are punished by these actions. The players are going to be punished, I am punished, [Feyenoord manager Giovanni] van Bronckhorst will be punished."

Meanwhile, midfielder Ander Herrera has said that he will "never give up" in his new deeper role. The Spaniard was brought into that position as a substitute against Manchester City on Saturday and it helped United to improve in the second half although they lost 2-1.

Herrera said: "I can make mistakes because I am human but what I am not going to do is give up. Never. I try to share my energy with the team, to win the ball back as quick as possible.

"I will keep doing the same the the manager wants me to play. I am a team player and I am ready. I will do what the manager asks me."

When asked about Mourinho's message after the derby, Herrera said: "All I can say is that he has shown us his confidence. He believes in us.

"They were better than us in the first half, we have to accept that, no excuses. But next time we face a team like Man City, who like to play from their keeper, we will do it better. You have to learn from every situation."

Wayne Rooney, Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of squad to face Feyenoord

Wayne Rooney has been left out of Manchester United's 20-man squad for the Europa League match at Feyenoord on Thursday.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard, who struggled in Saturday's derby defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford, will also not travel to Holland.

The squad was announced on United's official website.

Mkhitaryan was selected for the derby despite suffering a thigh injury on international duty with Armenia and United manager Jose Mourinho is expected to address that issue in his news conference on Wednesday.

He was not at an open training session with the rest of the squad in Manchester earlier in the day.

United's regular starting full-backs, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw, have also both been left at home too -- paving the way for the likes of Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo and Tim Fosu-Mensah to stake a claim.

Jose Mourinho to storm the UEFA Champions League kick-off next week

Manchester United coach, Jose Mourinho is set to stir up a storm as the new UEFA Champions League season first round of matches kick off on Tuesday, September 13.

Mourinho who is known for his passionate display during matches and controversial utterances against opponents, especially his opposite number at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, is expected to do what he is known for - rile up emotions and stir up conversations - in the lead up to the new UCL matches kicking off in 3 days.


While it is not known what form Mourinho's antics will take this time or what his motives are, it may not be unrelated to the fact that his team, Manchester United will be missing this year's top European league.

Arguably the best coach in the world, the Portuguese will be competing for honours in the Europa League while his main rivals; Claudio Ranieri, Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger get set to lead their teams to the biggest footballing spectacle in the world after the World Cup.

News making the rounds however indicate that the former Chelsea coach is only trying to draw some attention to himself away from the Champions League as his team squares up with other lesser known teams in Europe.

Hull City's Mike Phelan crowned August's Manager of the Month

Mike Phelan has beaten Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte to the Premier League Manager of the Month award for August.

Phelan, the caretaker manager at Hull City, won two games out of three to start the season, including an unexpected victory against champions Leicester City and a 2-0 win at Swansea, before narrowly losing a third, 1-0 to United.

The Tigers' feat has been all the more impressive considering they started the campaign with just 13 fit senior players.

"I am honoured," Phelan said of winning the award. "It's an honour you don't expect, being caretaker manager. It's a credit to the football club and to the players for all their endeavours that have given me this achievement.

"It's been a turbulent summer. We had a small amount of players available to us but, to all intents and purposes, they stuck to their task really well and it has got us off to a decent start.

"The players needed some support; we have that now, to some degree. I think that the quality of the players brought into this football will lift the standard and we are hoping we can have a successful season."

Manchester United boss Mourinho, Manchester City manager Guardiola and Chelsea's Conte all made perfect starts at their new clubs winning all three games.

However, at least one of those records will come to an end in the next round of fixtures when City travel to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby on Sept. 10.

Each Premier League captain had a vote for who should win the award, alongside a panel made up of former footballers and managers.

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling was named the Premier League Player of the Month.

Mourinho criticises United travel plans before Manchester derby

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has questioned why his South American contingent had a more difficult journey back to Europe than their Manchester City counterparts.

Antonio Valencia, Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo have all been away on international duty, recently returning to Manchester ahead of Saturday's derby clash with Pep Guardiola's men.

Mourinho claimed the likes of Nicolas Otamendi and Pablo Zabaleta came straight back to Manchester after performing for Argentina, and hinted it gave them an advantage.

He told reporters at his news conference: "Antonio Valencia was able to get one direct flight to Madrid. Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo went around the globe, Venezuela, Argentina, Europe.

"Manchester City spent money to bring them on a direct flight - or sent the owner's plane. Our boys arrived this morning in time to train."

One man not away on international duty was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, having retired from Sweden duty following Euro 2016.

Ibrahimovic, who famously did not see eye to eye with Guardiola at Barcelona, has rapidly become the United talisman and Mourinho was full of praise for the 34-year-old.

"Zlatan is a phenomenal player who arrives at 34 and still wants more for his career," said the Portuguese. "He didn't want the Chinese money or the American US dollars; he wanted the most difficult place to play and win.

"Zlatan is more about him than us. Our contribution to him, in motivational terms, is zero. This is just his nature."

Ibrahimovic will be denied an intriguing head-to-head battle with City's Sergio Aguero on Saturday as the Argentine is suspended.

Mourinho denied his absence made United's task any easier, though, saying: "He [Guardiola] could decide to play with [Kelechi] Iheanacho or [Raheem] Sterling," he said.

"He could decide to play with [David] Silva as a fake number nine between the lines. It is clear that they have many options.

"That for us, in the preparation of the game, makes us have to go step-by-step with every situation because we are trying to reduce the unpredictability of the game. To try to do this now is more difficult."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger 'refused' to let Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho sit next to him

Hostilities between Arsène Wenger and Jose Mourinho look set to continue after the Arsenal manager refused to let his Manchester United counterpart sit next to him at a Uefa coaching conference.

The pair attended the meeting in Nyon with several other top European coaches on the recent transfer deadline day, which began with a speech by Sir Alex Ferguson.

According to Marca, Mourinho arrived slightly late and was the last to enter the busy room where Ferguson was speaking.

When he spotted a free seat next to Wenger, opposite Unai Emery, the Paris Saint-Germain manager, and Zinedine Zidane, the Real Madrid head coach, he asked whether he could occupy it.

Wenger is said to have then deadpanned: “No, it isn't possible,” provoking laughs from the other coach

es in the room.

The incident is the latest in the pair’s long-standing spat, which dates back to Mourinho’s first spell in English football at Chelsea.

Mourinho, often characterised as the aggressor in the feud, infamously labelled Wenger as a ‘voyeur’ in October 2005, in response to critcism over his side's defensive tactics.

During Mourinho’s second spell at Chelsea, in February 2014, he described Wenger as a “specialist in failure” after the Arsenal manager intimated that he was afraid of losing.

The two then came to physical blows eight months later when Wenger shoved Mourinho while arguing with him on the touchline at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho appeared to aim a dig at Wenger in his first press conference after his appointment at United earlier this year.

“There are some managers, the last time they won a title was 10 years ago, the last time I won was a year ago," he said.

“I feel I have to prove - not to the others - to myself. I will never be able to work without success. That’s my nature.

“If I have something to prove, imagine the others! To finish 4th is not the aim.”

United will meet Arsenal for the first time this season at Old Trafford on 19 November.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic regrets not playing for Jose Mourinho longer

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reiterated his belief that Jose Mourinho is a "mastermind" and revealed his only regret is that he didn't have more time to play under the Portuguese boss.

Ibrahimovic and Mourinho spent a year together at Inter Milan, where the United boss led the club a historic Treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League titles the season after selling the Swede to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.

The two stars have reunited at Manchester United, where they will participate in their first Manchester derby on Saturday against Guardiola's City. And the former PSG man hailed Mourinho ahead of the match.

"Mourinho is a mastermind. He knows everything about the game," Ibrahimovic said.

"I do not have many regrets, but I do regret that I did not get to play under Mourinho for longer. When the opportunity came again for him to be my coach at United it was an easy decision.

"Who wouldn't want to be coached by him? I am at a great club with a great coach and great fans and I want to be as successful as possible for them."

Ibrahimovic has helped United to a 100 percent Premier League record thus far -- matching City's impressive start to season -- making this campaign's first derby between the two even more special than usual.

"These games always mean so much to the fans and we want to win for them, but the players must always be focused," Ibrahimovic said.

"Every game must be looked at as an opportunity to win three points whoever the opposition."

On the absence of City striker Sergio Aguero through suspension, Ibrahimovic said: 'You know when you play the teams at the top that any team they put out is going to be dangerous."

Ibrahimovic: Mourinho is the mastermind, every player would want him as manager?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has credited Jose Mourinho as the decisive factor in persuading him to bring his stellar career to the Premier League, claiming he previously rejected moves to England's top flight on two occasions.
Ibrahimovic headed the winner in Manchester United's Community Shield victory over Leicester City and has scored three times in as many Premier League matches to prove an instant hit with the Old Trafford faithful.
The 34-year-old was only compelled to move to England following a decorated stint at Paris Saint-Germain – where he became the club's all-time record goalscorer amid an unprecedented period of success for the Ligue 1 champions – when his former Inter boss Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal at United.
"I was close to moving to the Premier League twice - once with Arsenal and then Manchester City," he told reporters.
"But it never happened and I don't need to play in the Premier League.
"Mourinho is the mastermind, the masterbrain.
"He knows what he needs to do to win. I learned a lot from him at Inter. Who wouldn't want to have Mourinho as manager?"
Ibrahimovic is set to lead the line in his first Manchester derby when United host City at Old Trafford next Saturday.

Premier League announce four-man shortlist for August’s Manager of the Month award

 

Hull City's caretaker manager Mike Phelan, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and have all been nominated for the first of this season’s Manager of the Month award.

The Tigers had the honour of kicking off the new season as they beat reigning champions Leicester City on the opening day then followed that up a week later with a 2-0 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

However, their winning run came to an end in heartbreaking fashion just before international break against United as Marcus Rashford netted the winner in injury time.

That result means the Red Devils maintained their perfect start to life under new manager Mourinho, who has also overseen comfortable victories over Bournemouth and Southampton.

Another new arrival to English football is former Juventus and Italy national team manager Antonio Conte. He has made an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge with his side securing hard-fought wins over the Hammers and Watford, before recording an easy 3-0 win over newcomers Burnley last weekend.

Two of the nominees go head-to-head in eight days time as Old Trafford host the first Manchester derby of the season, but will it be Mourinho or Guardiola that wins this award?

Full List: Schweinsteiger included in Manchester United's 25-man Premier League squad

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been named in Manchester United's Premier League squad.

The German has not featured under Jose Mourinho and had been told he can leave Old Trafford.

But a move failed to materialise for the 31-year-old, who may now get a second chance under Mourinho - reports Manchester Evening News.

Also listed in United's squad is Sadiq El-Fitouri. The 21-year-old was signed from Salford City - owned by former United players Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes - in January 2015 and has been a regular in Warren Joyce's reserve team.

He is yet to make a senior appearance but signed a new one-year deal in the summer.

New signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba are also in the squad while the Premier League have confirmed Pogba counts as a 'homegrown' player.

Marcus Rashford and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are both included on the list of Under-21 players due to their age along with academy arrivals Tahith Chong, Nishan Burkart and Joshua Bohui.

Manchester United squad list in full

Eric Bailly
Daley Blind
Michael Carrick
Matteo Darmian
David De Gea
Memphis Depay
Sadik El-Fitouri
Marouane Fellaini
Ander Herrera
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Sam Johnstone
Phil Jones
Jesse Lingard
Juan Mata
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Paul Pogba
Marcos Rojo
Sergio Romero
Wayne Rooney
Morgan Schneiderlin
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Chris Smalling
Antonio Valencia
Ashley Young

Jose Mourinho has already broken a 138-year record in Manchester United

Jose Mourinho becomes first manager in Manchester United’s 138-year history to win his opening four matches

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United career is still in its infancy but the 53-year-old couldn’t be doing any more to allay fears that he was the wrong appointment at Old Trafford.

The self-appointed Special One lost some of his gleam after a disastrous defence of Chelsea’s Premier League title last season.

The 53-year-old was sacked in December when the Blues were hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone and there were valid question marks raised over Mourinho’s ability to sustain success at one club.

Upon signing a three-year deal with the Red Devils, concerns about Mourinho’s tendency to neglect youth were put to the Portuguese from his very first press conference and he produced a list of 49 players that he had promoted during his career to dispel any fears.

However, it’s on the pitch that Mourinho’s silenced many of his critics and the Red Devils’ 1-0 win against Hull City on Saturday means he’s the first manager in Manchester United’s 138-year history to win all four of his first competitive matches at the club.

With academy product Marcus Rasford scoring the winning goal at the KCOM Stadium, it made the victory all the more sweeter for Mourinho – who has won his first three Premier League games, as well as the Community Shield against Leicester City.

Bastian Schweinsteiger: MLS an option but Man United stay is my dream

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger insists that his "dream" would be to stay at Old Trafford but hinted at a future move to Major League Soccer in the United States.

Schweinsteiger, 31, was signed by United last summer by previous boss Louis van Gaal but the arrival of Jose Mourinho saw the Portuguese coach exclude him from the first-team squad and tell him to look for a new club.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder said in a statement last week that United would be his last club in Europe, and pledged he would be ready to play if called upon by Mourinho.

"My absolute dream would be to play for Manchester United and help them reach their goals," Schweinsteiger told a news conference ahead of his final match for Germany, a friendly against Finland in Monchengladbach on Wednesday.

"We've held talks. I don't have a problem with Jose Mourinho. We had a good exchange, he explained his standpoint to me. I know what Manchester United want. But I also know what I want. You will have to wait and see what happens in September, October. It's a respectful dialogue. I will definitely not stop playing football.

"One thing is for sure: I'm not going to stop playing football. I still believe in my own ability. I could still help United if given the chance."

Regarding a move to the U.S., he added: "The transfer window there is already closed. That's why it's not possible now.

"My dream still is to play for Manchester United. If I get a fair chance, I believe in it. I believe in my abilities. Until my suspension it went really well last year, after that the two injuries happened. But America is naturally an option."

Juan Mata agrees to reduced role at Manchester United

Juan Mata and Jose Mourinho have finally come to an agreement with regards to his role at Manchester United which should see the Spaniard stay at Old Trafford until at least January.

Speculation surrounding Mata's future has been at fever pitch since the day Mourinho was confirmed as Louis van Gaal's successor. He famously fell short of the Special One's requirements at Chelsea and was sold to United in January 2014 despite his status as a fan favourite.

And when he was substituted in the Community Shield tie against Leicester only 25 minutes after emerging from the bench, it was thought his short time as a Red Devil was coming to an end.

However, according to The Telegraph, Mata has agreed to stay part of the Manchester United squad even though it will mean less playing time. Mourinho has told him he has a part to play in his plans, but won't be the first choice in any of his favoured positions.

Although he started the first game of the season against Bournemouth and last Friday’s win over Southampton, it is believed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will eventually become the starting right-winger. The Armenian arrived from Borussia Dortmund in a £26m deal this summer but is still settling into his new life in England and has been used sparingly.

Mata was booted out six months after Mourinho took charge of Chelsea and there is every chance the same thing could happen at United. The same report claims the squad will be reviewed when the January transfer window opens, in which Mata could decide to leave.

For instance, if the diminutive playmaker has played even less than he expects or gets a tempting offer from another European club, the door could be left open for him to sneak out.

It is a strange situation for Mata to find himself in. He is, after all, the fourth most expensive player in United's history and is eager to stay at the club, but that was the same at Chelsea too.

Although much has changed since Mourinho and Mata fell out at Stamford Bridge, it remains a fact that his wingers must help out defensively. That was where the Spain international fell short at Chelsea but he now has half a season to prove he has changed.

It is another significant blow for Ed Woodward in his efforts to trim down the spiraling wage bill. He has already had to forgo a transfer fee in his efforts to get rid of Bastian Schweinsteiger. The German is on a huge contract of over £200,000-a-week yet has been thrown out of the senior dressing room by Mourinho.

Mata is on £140,000-a-week himself and Mourinho's decision to keep him gives Woodward another headache.

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo closing in on Valencia move

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo is reportedly closing in on a move to Valencia.
The 26-year-old is expected to leave Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window next summer as Jose Mourinho looks to trim his squad.
The Argentine, who has not featured in any of United's matches so far this season, is deemed surplus to requirements by the manager.
Deporte Valenciano reports that Valencia have opened talks with United over a possible €12m (£10.3m) deal, with the Spanish club's owner Peter Lim enjoying a good relationship with the Red Devils.
That would see United make a loss on the figure they paid for Rojo just two years ago, but the club are understood to be willing to take a financial hit in order to get him off their books.
Any move for Rojo to Valencia could also see Shkodran Mustafi complete his switch to Arsenal.