MATIC DEAL VERY CLOSE
Manchester United are very close to sealing a deal for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic. He was pictured in a United training kit in an image which leaked and went viral yesterday. Several respected journalists were unanimous in their opinion that it is a mere formality that Matic would be a United player. A medical was completed on Sunday if reports are to be believed, and a fee in the region of £45m.
When quizzed about the image, Mourinho remained coy and said: “I am waiting for news. I know that he wants that very, very much. When a player wants very, very much, the chance is bigger. I think we have a chance but in football, until it’s official…I saw so many things happen that I refuse to say more than I am telling you now. I don’t know because I was not there. Number 31 is a free number. We have a few free and 31 is one of them.”
TOUR VICTORY
Manchester United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners of Vålerenga in their penultimate Tour fixture. Goals from Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay secured the victory.
FELLAINI GOING NOWHERE
Marouane Fellaini responded to transfer speculation linking him with a move to Galatasaray with a goal in United’s Tour fixture against Valerenga. Mourinho too dismissed the rumors and went on record to say that he would stay a United player for the coming season. Mourinho said: ““It is easier for Galatasaray to get me than Marouane. Forget it. He’s very important for me.”
THE MIND GAMES BEGIN
Jose Mourinho has started his battle with the bosses of United’s rivals well before the start of the Premier League season. After taking subtle shots at Klopp, Wenger and Guardiola over the US leg of the Tour, Mourinho proceeded to take a dig at Antonio Conte after United’s victory over Valerenga. Mourinho said: “I don’t know. I could answer in many different ways but I’m not willing to lose my hair to speak about Antonio Conte.’ The comments came after Conte’s declaring his intention to avoid a Mourinho season, referring to the situation the Chelsea was in just a season removed from their 4th Premier League title a couple of years back.
INJURY UPDATE
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera returned from a minor knock he suffered against Real Madrid in the US leg of the Tour. He played 45 minutes in United’s victory over Valerenga. Herrera said that he was keen to get more minutes against Sampdoria in the last Tour match before turning the guns on Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.
Juan Mata also completed his return.
However, Jesse Lingard stayed back in Manchester along with Antonio Valencia and David De Gea.