RODRIGUEZ PRE-AGREEMENT
Manchester United have reportedly sealed a pre-agreement with Real Madrid No. 10 James Rodriguez. Reports of a sit-down with Real President Florentino Perez, Rodriguez and his agent Jorge Mendes have emerged. Perez agreed to take stock of James’ situation in the summer but the presence of a ‘pre-agreement’ with Manchester United was made clear about. The move, however, would be dependent on the departure of Wayne Rooney. Apparently, Rodriguez has a clause in his Adidas contract that he can only wear the No. 10 jersey at any club.
TICKET NEWS
Manchester United have been allocated a measly 9,000 tickets for the final in Stockholm. Ajax have been allocated the same number of tickets meaning a paltry 40% of the stadium will be filled with fans. 11k tickets have been allocated for sponsors and guests which is more than what either club will receive. United, however, will not take the staff at Carrington and Old Trafford to Stockholm as they have done in previous European Finals. The 800 odd tickets will be available for the fans.
ROMERO TO START
Jose Mourinho revealed that Europa League keeper Sergio Romero will start the final ahead of David de Gea. Mourinho has praised the pairs professionalism in the face of rivalry. Speaking to the press, Mourinho said: “There’s no dilemma, they are two fantastic goalkeepers. I think it is fair Sergio is going to play the final and David accepts. He accepts that because, especially, he has already played Europa League matches. If we win the trophy, David wins the trophy because he played three matches against Feyenoord and against Fenerbahce. But if everything goes normal and we have no problems, Sergio plays the final. I never saw in all my career two goalkeepers to be so friendly because it is a position when you always have a little bit of rivalry, especially if you are both the same kind of level.”
TOUGHEST ASSIGNMENT EVER
Mourinho has insisted that the task to bring United back to the top is the toughest one he’s ever taken up yet. When asked for the reason, Mourinho said: “The players and the club. Sometimes you get to big clubs in difficult moments and the work is harder than at a smaller club in a moment of positive explosion. It has been a very hard season. Some of the work has been invisible to your eyes. But when I analyze my work, I analyze my work in the globality because better than anyone I know what I did, I know what I had to do.”
BAILLY TO STAR IN PL GAMES
Jose Mourinho revealed that he intends to start Eric Bailly for all the three remaining games after being banned for the Europa League final in Stockholm. Mourinho understands that he cannot play players like Jones and Smalling in all the remaining Premier League games and hope that they remain fresh for the final on 24th.
POGBA’S FATHER PASSES AWAY
Paul Pogba’s father passed away on Friday aged 79. The Pogba family confirmed the same and revealed that he was battling illness before the sad demise. Mourinho will let Pogba be with his family in these difficult times.