De Gea Out, Oblak In?

OPTIMISTIC MATA

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has insisted that teammate and countryman David de Gea is happy with life at Old Trafford, despite recent rumors linking him with a move to Real Madrid. Mata does not see why De Gea should leave United in the summer. Mata said: “Well, I think he is happy and I think he is obviously committed to the club. He has got a contract. He is obviously more than used to living England, he is happy in Manchester.”

CARRICK’S FUTURE

Michael Carrick could be offered a role at Old Trafford that will see him play for the senior side while being a mentor or a coach for the u-23s. Mourinho has been impressed with Carrick’s influence on the pitch and in the dressing room. The boss wants Carrick to be involved with the up and coming players at Carrington as they look to make the big break into the first team. But, this would reduce the Englishman’s playing time as he continues to work on his coaching badges.

PEREIRA’S DEBUT

Jose Mourinho has revealed that he intends to hand 20-year-old goalkeeper Joel Pereira his Premier League debut before the end of the campaign. The debut is expected to come in the last game of the season against Crystal Palace next weekend. Mourinho said: “Joel Pereira is fantastic and I am going to give him a chance to play in the Premier League this season. In one of our three remaining matches, I am going to play him. We have two good experienced goalkeepers and this young boy who for me is going to be the Portuguese No 1. He was made in this club.”

AGENT TALK

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak’s agent has all but explicitly stated United’s interest in the player. Oblak’s agent was singing the praises of his client as he revealed concrete talks with a Premier League club. Manchester United are touted to ‘that’ club while rumors of a switch to Italy were dismissed at once. Mhia Mlakar, Oblak’s agent said: “His future? It’s too soon because there are still League games to play, but it’s true that, like I’ve always said, there’s a lot of interest in the best goalkeeper in the world. Above all, there are two clubs that are really interested in Oblak for next season. One is certainly from the United Kingdom. Italy? Please, is this a serious question? In Italy, only Juventus are at the top level and they have Buffon, who’s now in the Champions League final.”

SQUAD FOR TOTTENHAM

The squad to face Tottenham in the White Hart Lane farewell boarded the train to London from Stockport Station. Pogba and Valencia were nowhere to be seen as the squad started the journey south. Pogba was expected to give the game a miss after the unfortunate death of his father. Valencia’s routine of playing alternate games continued as he battles fatigue in the run-in. Youngsters Axel Tuanzebe, Demetri Mitchell, Matty Willock, Matthey Olosunde and Scott McTominay were all part of the travelling group.

THE SQUAD: David de Gea, Sergio Romero, Joel Pereira, Matthew Olosunde, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly, Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Demetri Mitchell, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Scott McTominay, Jesse Lingard, Matty Willock, Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.