FAN FOLLOWING?
Manchester United target Marcelo Brozovic recently followed United on Instagram. He has fanned the rumours linking him with a summer move to Old Trafford. The Inter Milan midfielder was reportedly scouted by Mourinho himself last month and his agent also revealed that he’s held talks with Premier League clubs. But he is also following Manchester City and Chelsea on the social media site. Paul Pogba used Instagram to indicate his imminent move to Old Trafford before the official announcement.
NOT AMBITITIOUS ENOUGH?
Manchester United are clearly not doing enough on the field in their attempts to convince Zlatan Ibrahimovic to sign a contract extension with the club. Talks are still ongoing but the 35-year old has admitted that he will stay only if United show a satisfactory level of ambition as he is nearing the end of his career. “Probably I have one, two, three years so everything depends on what you want and what the club wants, what the vision of the club is because I said from day one I didn’t come here to waste time,” said Ibrahimovic.
GHOST GOAL
Manchester United had a goal incorrectly chalked off for offside. Ibrahimovic fired the ball past Joel Robles midway through the second half but the flag went up to deny Jose Mourinho’s side an equaliser. It was a very close call with Television Replays showing that Ibrahimovic was in fact just about level rather than ahead of the last defender. Former World Cup final official Howard Webb also stated that United probably deserved the benefit of the doubt.
MKHITARYAN ABSENCE
Jose Mourinho dropped Henrikh Mkhitaryan from his starting lineup for the match against Everton and relegated him to the bench. Mourinho revealed that he did so because of his unhappiness at the 28-year old’s display against West Brom in the previous match. Mourinho also gave Pogba a place on the bench because of his lack of match fitness and he did make a cameo appearance. He said that it was good to have him(Pogba) as an option off the bench as he is a good option.
WHY ANTONIO MISSED OUT
Mkhitaryan and Pogba were not the only members of the ideal Starting XI who missed with Antonio Valencia who also dropped out. Mourinho cited fatigue as the reason for his decision. Valencia who played 90 minutes for Ecuador before doing the same for United against West Brom merited a rest according to Mourinho. “Valencia is really really tired,” said Jose to BT Sport before the match. He also confirmed that Rooney failed to make it to the match day squad because of pain in his ankles.
LINDELOF PRAISED
Jose Mourinho called long-term target Victor Lindelof a ‘good guy’ after being questioned about him following intense speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford. The Benfica man was said to have completed the move according to parts of the Portuguese media. But the move never materialised and signed a new contract. But with Mourinho’s comments, United may again target him in the summer as United look light in the centre of defence.