MHAT-A BLOW
Manchester United No.8 Juan Mata will miss the rest of the season after making slower than expected progress since undergoing a groin surgery. When asked about Mata’s return date, Mourinho simply said late May. It was expected that he would return for the final few games of the season. The news will be a jolt for Mourinho as his team seeks a Champions League spot and the Europa League crown.
CLEARING THE AIR
Luke Shaw has revealed that he told Jose Mourinho that he will prove him wrong. Speaking to Sky Sports, Shaw said: “I had a very good chat with him after those sort of words came out. And I totally agree with him and I will do whatever he wants. I’ve always been a hard worker but I think if I look back I wasn’t doing as hard as he likes and, like I said, we had a really good talk, he discussed what he wanted from me and I think even in a week-and-a-half I’ve seen a massive change in myself not just on the pitch, on the training ground, but off it as well. And it’s my time to fight until the end of the season and show the boss what I can do and what I can bring to help his team. I remember having the meeting with him and telling him at the end. I’m going to prove you wrong because I believe and I want to do that. Not just for myself but the fans that have been behind me and sent me really nice messages and support me through this time.”
160 MILLION REASONS TO BE SCARED
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is working to create the scariest front three in world football. Armed with a £160m war chest, Mourinho is looking to sign both Antoine Griezmann and Romelu Lukaku to form a world class attack with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. United will have to cough up another world-record fee for Griezmann, topping the £89m they paid Juventus for Paul Pogba’s services. United will have to pay up another £70m for Romelu Lukaku, who will not be extending his contract with Everton.
MOTIVATED ‘JUDAS”
Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly has revealed that Jose Mourinho will be looking to derail Chelsea’s title charge after being abused by the Blues boo boys during last month’s FA Cup tie. The self-proclaimed Special One was booed and called ‘Judas’ for apparently betraying Chelsea and joining arch-rivals Manchester United. Desailly said: “You only have to see how Mourinho reacted the last time he went to Stamford Bridge and his reaction towards the fans.
‘He will be really boiling for this game. He was very hurt by their provocation – I know this from good sources.
‘Mourinho will want to show that his commitment to his new club is absolute, that he is still a winner, and that he can bring Manchester United to the same level he reached with Chelsea. ‘He has the perfect motivation – to block Chelsea from winning the title and to secure United’s path towards the Champions League next season.
‘So far he has won the League Cup, but that is not enough to restore the prestige of such a famous club. We don’t know who is going to be at United again next season and that may depend on whether they finish in the top four.’