Jose Mourinho plays down speculation linking him with PSG
Over the past few days, there has been a lot of speculation linking Jose Mourinho with the managerial job at PSG. The Manchester United boss said he would not end his managerial career at Manchester United and then revealed that his son had gone to watch a game in Paris last weekend, rather than a game involving Manchester United. This had gotten many talking about his future, but the Portuguese manager distanced himself from the job saying: :”I’m not signing a new five-year contract and I’m not leaving for PSG”, and he said of the apparently inconsistent nature of the English media: “Because in one day it says that I’m going to sign a five-year contract, £1 billion per season, and then the next day you say that I’m leaving and I’m going to Paris St-Germain. I think that’s the answer – the answer is that nothing is happening”.
Mourinho wants people to move on from the alleged Romelu Lukaku stamp
Former-Everton striker Romelu Lukaku was unable to really impact upon United’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool in any positive way last weekend, but he did come away from the match with allegations that he had stamped on Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren, but he was cleared by an FA committee. When asked about the incident, Lovren said: “My honest view was he did it on purpose”. Following the decision not to punish Lukaku, Mourinho countered by saying: “There is a big contradiction. He said let’s move on and forget what happened but then he spends 10 minutes talking about what he thinks happened and didn’t happen. For me, the FA committee is there to make decisions, so I have no comment”.
Marcos Rojo nearing return from injury
United defender Marco Rojo is nearing a return from his long-term injury. The utility defender has been out since April after rupturing his cruciate ligament, but he was included in training in Portugal on Tuesday as the English side make their final preparations for their Champions League game with Benfica on Wednesday. However, Mourinho ruled out any chance of the defender returning for this evening’s group game as he told MUTV: “Rojo is not coming to play but he is coming with the team to train today with the group. Tomorrow, individually, but he’s coming [back]. I would say, probably in two weeks, Marcos is ready to play”. The defender would add yet another string to United’s bow, with his performances last year of a very high order.