Injury boosts, deadly connection and a scouting mission!

DUO SET FOR RETURN

Jose Mourinho confirmed that duo Luke Shaw and Ashley Young returned to full training this week and are set to make their comebacks in the under-23 fixture against Swansea on Monday. The duo have been out since the end of last season with serious ankle and hamstring injuries. It is another boost for United as Jose will have only Marcos Rojo on the sidelines. It is an earlier than expected return for both players as Shaw and Young were slated for September and October returns respectively.

PLAYING DOWN EXPECTATIONS

Jose Mourinho once again played down his side’s title credentials in his presser yesterday. Fans and pundits alike were quick to label United as a ‘Dream Team’ and ‘Title Favorites’ after the win over West Ham. Mourinho said: “I’m too experienced and stable to lose my discipline, my stability and to think a 4-0 really makes us the best team in the country, the favourites or the dream team. We’re not favourites, we’re not the dream team. We’re just a team with more confidence than last season, with more time of work together, but I’m calm.”

SCOUTING MISSION

Manchester United will be one of the teams scouting Santos’ Yuri Alberto during next month’s u-17 clash with England. The Brazilian is touted as the next big thing coming out of the country having scoring a scorching 53 goals in 35 games. The 16-year-old recently signed a professional contract at Santos. He has been compared to Gabriel Jesus and has the opportunity to operate on the wing or play as the main man through the centre. United will face competition from Arsenal and Roma should they want to sign the talented teenager.

SPECIAL CONNECTION

United boss praised Romelu Lukaku for slotting right at home in the short time he has been at the club. Mourinho pointed out the connection between his attacking players and Lukaku and said that it was the key to such an emphatic performance in the Premier League opener. Mourinho said: “I feel that connection [between Lukaku and Rashford] but I also feel that connection with more players. I feel Martial and Romelu is a good connection. I feel Lingard is a good connection. I feel Mkhitaryan is a good connection. I think Romelu is a good player to play with. It is also the way he plays, the solutions he gives and the way he makes space for other players.”

FULL FAITH

Jose Mourinho was questioned as to whether Anthony Martial has a future at Old Trafford after failing to select him in the two competitive games this season from the start. Mourinho revealed that he had full faith in the Frenchman and expected him to come into his own as an attacking force to be reckoned with. Martial who impressed with a goal and an assist in the 10 minutes he spent on the pitch against West Ham will have given Jose selection troubles ahead of the Swansea game.