Jose Mourinho pleased with Manchester United’s cup win
Manchester United bulldozed their way to a 4-1 win over Burton Albion last night as Jose Mourinho’s quest for dominance across England took another step forward. The Premier League side were as comfortable as the scoreline suggests, and were unlucky not to register yet another clean sheet with Lloyd Dyer netting in stoppage time for Burton to take some of the gloss off the result. Mourinho was pleased regardless, telling Sky Sports: “We look happy playing football in this moment and that’s what I want. They all want to play, they are all ready to play, they all want to use the minutes they have on the pitch to try and improve and have the pleasure of playing”.
Romelu Lukaku is maturing at United
Romelu Lukaku has matured at Manchester United according to Belgium manager Roberto Martinez. Martinez, who worked closely with Lukaku whilst at Everton, will have seen the difference his move to Manchester United has had on the striker who now leads the line for the national side too. Martinez told talkSPORT: “I have seen a big difference in terms of his maturity when he comes to international camps. When he went to Manchester United, he was solely focused on starting well and making a big impact — and that is what he has done. He is with a manager with whom he will keep learning different aspects at club level”.
Birmingham turned down the chance to sign Victor Lindelof
According to Derby County manager Gary Rowett, who was the former coach of Birmingham City, the club turned down the chance to sign defender Victor Lindelof. The centre-half, who joined United from Benfica this summer in a deal with over £30 million was seen as not tough enough for Birmingham and the Championship. Rowett told Sky Sports: “We had a look at him [Lindelof] and put it to some of the staff, but it was ironic because they felt he wasn’t probably quite tough enough”, although Rowett did admit that it was probably the wrong call: “Then suddenly he’s been touted around at £20m or £30m. So I think we made a mistake”.
Mourinho believes some clubs may benefit without the cup
The United boss made the claim that some teams may find more success without the cup in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live saying: “If you ask me ‘could English football survive or be even be better without this competition?’ Maybe. Maybe we would be fresher for European competition”. The admission is slightly perplexing to some fans as it was this cup competition that seemed to kick-start United’s season last time around. Although the manager’s claims did centre on the sides that also have European commitments too.