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Solskjaer: Valencia Remains Manchester United Captain

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MANCHESTER — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has snubbed reports suggesting that he will replace Antonio Valencia as the captain of Manchester United by confirming that the Ecuadorian will lead out the team again as soon as he’s fully fit.

Valencia slipped down the pecking order after liking an Instagram post in October which called for then manager Jose Mourinho to be sacked by the Manchester United board.

The experienced right-back was then dropped from the starting XI after Mourinho suggested that he wasn’t fit enough, but returned on 12 December in an away Champions League defeat a Valencia.

He was an unused substitute in the defeat to Liverpool on Dec. 16 in what turned out to be the last game in charge for Mourinho, and also missed the first two games of Solskjaer’s interim tenure.

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Valencia is the longest-serving active player in the Manchester United squad, having signed during the Sir Alex Ferguson tenure in 2009 and there were suggestions that the 33-year-old was on his way out of the club.

However, the Solskjaer confirmed that the skipper is working hard on his fitness and wants to be available to lead the team again in the New Year fixtures.

When asked if he could appoint a new captain, Solskjaer declared at his press conference on Friday: “I told you he’s the captain and, when he’s properly fit and playing, he’ll wear the armband.

“He’s going through a couple of tough sessions now to get him ready for the busy period coming up.

“When you look at Antonio, there are not many better right-backs going forward with his abilities so, yes, you’ll see him wearing his armband,” the Norwegian added.

Manchester United are in action again on Sunday against Bournemouth at Old Trafford when Solskjaer seeks his third successive win since replacing Mourinho in the dugout as temporary boss.

Martial, Rashford Lead Manchester United Past Bournemouth, 2-1

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BOURNEMOUTH – Marcus Rashford jumped off the bench to net the winner for Manchester United in a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Rashford, who was dropped to the bench by manager Jose Mourinho in favor of Alexis Sanchez, came up big when asked to, as he scrambled home from close range in the second minute of time added on in the second half.

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Earlier, the home side Bournemouth took the lead through Callum Wilson in the 11th minute.

Poor defending saw Manchester United coming under a lot of pressure and Wilson capitalized on the run of play to give Eddie Howe’s men the advantage.

However, Manchester United, after hitting the post from an Ashley Young free-kick, leveled things up in the 35th minute when Anthony Martial steered home from a cross from Sanchez.

United were without leading striker Romelu Lukaku, who picked up an injury during training on Friday.

Despite the victory, though, Manchester United remain 7th in the English Premier League points standings and out of the Top 4.

Bournemouth are sixth.

Mourinho Warns He Faces Manchester United Sack

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MANCHESTER — Jose Mourinho has been warned he could be sack as manager at Manchester United if he continues to pick fights with players.

This is according to BBC Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer, who believes the Portugal coach needs to stay concentrating on winning games and trophies rather than whining about the about the lack of new signings at Old Trafford this summer.

“In every interview, Mourinho is complaining and frowning and looking to scowl at everybody,” Shearer wrote in The Sun.

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“He can’t change the squad now. He has to work with the players he has got and that IS a talented group of players.

“The moaning must stop now and he has to get his head round winning football matches.

“There is a lot of opposition out there this year. Liverpool have spent a lot to try to get nearer to City, while the champions splashed out £60million on Riyad Mahrez.

Manchester United Reject Barcelona Offer For Pobga

“Jose has got to get that Manchester United squad to a position where they are starting to challenge City.”

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Mourinho was left frustrated after he was unable to sign all the players he requested in the summer transfer window.

Manchester United certainly could have used at least one more signing – especially another central defender but Shearer thinks the current group of players are very talented and Mourinho must now concentrate on finding the best way to get the best out of his squad.

“When you look at the United squad, it is very, very talented,” Shearer said.

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“David De Gea in goal, Eric Bailly at the back, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Fred and Juan Mata — then Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial up front.

“But they finished 19 points behind Manchester City last season and didn’t win a trophy after picking up two the season before.

“It is imperative that they get back to winning silverware. United doesn’t seem a happy ship — and that’s coming from the manager.”

Manchester United opened the 2018-19 English Premier League season with an unconvincing 2-1 win over Leicester City, with Pogba and Luke Shaw – two of the players being criticised by Mourinho – getting the goals.

Manchester United v Liverpool – International Champions Cup Live

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ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Manchester United and Liverpool will continue preparations for the upcoming season with an International Champions Cup meeting at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

Game time for this clash is scheduled for 5:05 pm ET and it will be streaming live on WatchESPN. MUTV and LFC TV will provide the live coverage for UK viewers, while ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ will have the coverage for USA viewers.

Saturday’s meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool will be the second All-English Premier League preseason clash in the 2018 International Champions Cup, following Wednesday night’s encounter involving the Reds and EPL champion Manchester City.

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Both managers will be hoping to use the game to learn more about their respective squads as well as tinker with formations and tactics to accomplish a better playing fluidity.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is again without several first-team players, including World Cup winner Paul Pogba, along with Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Antonio Valencia.

But the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Juan Mata, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw are all set to feature again as Mourinho seeks to get his squad ready for the season opener against Leicester City on August 10.

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New signing Fred and world-class goalkeeper David De Gea both linked up with the training squad on the USA tour, but aren’t expected to feature against Liverpool this weekend.

Meanwhile, the Reds will be expected to roll out a strong team and one similar to the side that beat Manchester City in midweek.

Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, Fabinho, and World Cup stars Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, who were responsible for the goals in the 2-1 win over the Citizens, are all set to play some part in the game.

Recent signing, Xherdan Shaqiri reported to training with the Reds in New York this week and could make his Liverpool debut against Manchester United.

Saturday’s International Champions Cup battle will see Liverpool playing for the seventh time thus far in the preseason, while it will be the fourth friendly match for Manchester United.

Manchester United v Sevilla: How To Watch, Preview, Team News

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MANCHESTER — Manchester United head into Tuesday’s Champions League last-16, second leg tie against Sevilla at Old Trafford with injury concerns, but manager Jose Mourinho remains optimistic.

HOW TO WATCH AND STREAM LIVE:

Watch Live TV Channel: Fox Sports 1 USA
Watch Live Online Streaming: FOX Sports GO and  FOX Soccer Match Pass
Time: 3:45 PM ET

Big on the list is the availability of star midfielder Paul Pogba, who remains uncertain for the clash.

Pogba missed Saturday’s 2-1 win over Liverpool in the English Premier League because of a “minor” injury he picked up while training at the Aon Training Complex on Friday.

The France international apparently sat out training on Monday morning, but was confirmed to have practiced in the later session by Mourinho during his pre-match press conference.

“He did [train] after you left,” Mourinho told the press.

The Manchester United boss was then asked if Pogba could face Sevilla.

He said: “I don’t know. We don’t know yet, but he trained a little bit after you left.”

Manchester United will also be without defenders Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind, while midfielder Ander Herrera remains unavailable due to injury.

Meanwhile, forward Anthony Martial, who missed the weekend’s victory over Liverpool is fit again and is available to face the La Liga side.

Experienced forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was pictured training with the group on Monday morning and could be on the bench for Tuesday’s game.

The Swedish striker has been working hard to regain his fitness, since making his last Manchester United appearance in the 2-2 draw against Burnley on Boxing Day.

Manchester United and Sevilla played to a goalless draw in the first leg match in Andalucia three-weeks-ago.

Mourinho thinks that anything is possible if his side can navigate through this round.

“I think when a team arrives in the last eight, anything can happen. I think when you are in the last 16, it looks really, really far,” the Red Devils manager said.

“But when a team gets in the last eight, you start smelling semi-finals and I think when a team gets into the last eight, the feeling is, of course, you are among the best. But anything can happen, so let’s see what happens.”

He added: “I don’t feel that we have any advantage in this moment. We are going to try to prove that we are better [than the first leg] and to try to win the match.

“But the reality in this moment is that we have no advantage at all.”

Mourinho: We Have Replacements For Paul Pogba

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MANCHESTER, Sporting Alert — Manchester United look well set to lose key midfielder Paul Pogba for Sunday’s clash with Everton and Jose Mourinho is already drawing up his replacement.

Pogba was handed the captain’s armband in the Champions League Group A opener against FC Basel at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, but unfortunately lasted just 19 minutes after he suffered what seemed to be a hamstring injury.

The Frenchman who has made a bright start to the season, looks all set to spend some time on the sidelines with the injury, but an optimistic Mourinho believes he has a big enough squad to cope with the situation.

Asked if he could evaluate Pogba’s injury, Mourinho replied: “I don’t know [the extent]. I just know from experience it’s a muscular injury.

“In my experience, muscular injury stops you from playing for a few weeks, I think.

“It looks for me too [like a hamstring injury] but I haven’t spoken yet to the medical department.”

Mourinho’s said Pogba’s goalscoring replacement on Tuesday night, Marouane Fellaini, as well as Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick are all competent enough to play alongside Nemanja Matic in the central area against Everton.

“Squads are for this, squads are for injuries, squads are for suspensions,” the experienced boss said.

“We don’t cry with injuries. So if no Paul for Sunday, we have Herrera, we have Carrick, we have Fellaini and we have Matic.”

Manchester United made a winning return to Champions League football on Tuesday when the English Premier League leaders cruised to a 3-0 victory over FC Basel at Old Trafford.

Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford scored the goals for the Red Devils who moved to the top of Group A on goal difference.

Also in the group, CSKA Moscow came from a goal behind to beat Benfica on the road with Timur Zhamaletdinov netting the winner.

Watch Manchester United v Real Madrid Super Cup Live; TV Channels

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SKOPJE, Macedonia, Sporting Alert — Manchester United and Real Madrid will battle for the UEFA Super Cup, which is contested by the winners of the Champions League and the title holders of the Europa Cup from the previous season.

Live stream coverage of this game in Skopje, Macedonia is available in the United States on ESPN3, WatchESPN and Fox Sports Go, starting at 2:45 pm ET. Click here for a full list of television channels. Fox Sports 1 USA will be the television channel with live broadcast.

These two teams met earlier in the United States leg of the International Champions Cup preseason fixtures with Manchester United coming out on top on penalties.

However, both teams, for the most parts, were just experimenting, with Real Madrid even playing without its best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was still on extended leave.

Come Tuesday, though, both managers will name their strongest current lineups as they seek to jump-start their respective season by winning a trophy at the Philip II Arena.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho at Press Conference

“I’m excited to be playing the Super Cup and to be playing against the European champions,” said Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho at his press conference on Monday.

“It’s an honour when it’s the European champions and, even more so, when they are the team with the most history and trophies.

“We have to play and to enjoy a special moment because there are not many times a player has the chance to play in the Super Cup. We are going to try to win and we believe it is possible.”

Meanwhile, after missing the preseason schedule, former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to face his old club after taking part in Monday’s training session.

Ronaldo was named in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for the game and could even start, while Gareth Bale, who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, seems to have recovered from the ankle injury that has been affecting his preparations.

Manchester United Target Michael Keane, Virgil van Dijk, Victor Lindelof

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MANCHESTER, Sporting Alert — Manchester United are expected to add new faces in the summer transfer window and according to Sky Sports sources, Jose Mourinho is hoping to strengthen his backline.

Despite winning the Europa League and League Cup tournaments, United hierarchy was disappointed with the team’s sixth-place finish in the English Premier League.

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According to Sky sources, Mourinho is planning to add a central defender to his squad this summer and it seems the Portuguese coach has already identified his defensive options.

Sky Sports reports that three possible Old Trafford targets are emerging talent and former Manchester United players Michael Keane, as well as Virgil van Dijk and Victor Lindelof.

Mourinho, who said on Wednesday that he is ready to start his holiday, has apparently given the United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward a list of players he wants to sign this summer and the trio are the centre backs on the list.

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The Red Devils sold Keane to Burnley two-and-a-half years ago for £2m during Louis van Gaal stint, and the England international has since developed into one of the top defenders in the EPL.

Keane has one year left on his current contract at Turf Moor, but would conder linking back up with his former teammates and play Champions League football next season.

Sky Sports is also reporting that Southampton’s Van Dijk, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Arsenal, is another player high on the list.

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However, with Chelsea and Manchester City supposedly showing interest in signing Van Dijk as well, Southampton is looking for at least £50m, a figure Mourinho isn’t prepared to spend on that position.

Benfica defender Lindelof is the other name on United’s centre back target list.

The 22-year-old Swede was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford during the January transfer window, but a deal was never negotiated

It now seems United are prepared to go back for the Benfica defender who is valued at £40m.

Eric Bailly Will Miss Manchester United Trip To West Ham

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MANCHESTER, Sporting Alert – Manchester United will be without Eric Bailly for Monday’s English Premier League clash at West Ham United, while Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick could return to the squad.

Bailly will link up with the Ivory Coast squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday and manager Jose Mourinho will not have the summer signing for the clash with the Hammers.

In fact, the centre-back could miss up to eight Manchester United matches to start the New Year.

The departure of Bailly will certainly leave Mourinho with fewer options in the heart of the defense but the Portuguese coach believes the likes of Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will provide enough cover until Bailly returns in mid-February.

“Bailly is leaving – he goes to the national team,” Mourinho said in his post-match press conference after Manchester United beat Middlesbrough 2-1 on Saturday.

“He has to be with them on 2 January. We asked them for him to be on 3 January but they refused, so he cannot play against West Ham.

“I know that I lose Bailly for a month and I’m going to have Smalling, Rojo and Jones for, I think, eight matches.

“So I decided to play Eric [against Middlesbrough] and it was good to have him on the pitch because, one-on-one at the back, he’s the best because he’s very fast.”

Club captain and Wayne Rooney and vice-captain Michael Carrick both missed the thrilling late win over Boro at Old Trafford on Saturday, but Mourinho said the veteran striker and midfielder have an outside chance of facing West Ham.

“Rooney has a little chance and Michael has a bigger chance than Rooney. Let’s see how he is tomorrow,” Mourinho revealed.

“I’m really happy with Fellaini and the way he played. I’m really happy with his connection with the fans.

“I think they realised how useful he is and how much he is with the team.”

For more information about Manchester United visit the club’s official website at www.manutd.com.

Good win, but we still need to improve – Mourinho

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MANCHESTER, Sporting Alert – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said his team secured a deserving win over Sunderland on Monday but acknowledged there is still room for improvement.

The Red Devils easily put away the Black Cats 3-1 in an English Premier League Boxing Day fixture at Old Trafford with Daley Blind, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic providing the goals.

Manchester United were winning for the fourth successive time while the Premier League giants extended its unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 matches.

However, although he was delighted with the 3-points, Mourinho warned his side still needs to improve.

“We have played well for a long time,” he said. “I think our game against Burnley was absolutely phenomenal. We played better against Burnley than today.

“The good performances we had for quite some time. Finally we have the good results, four victories and 12 points in a row.

“The players know the principles of how we play and they are comfortable but we need to improve.”

Mourinho said he “didn’t like” the way his team played in the first half, despite going into the break with a 1-0 lead.

However, he said the home side fixed the problems after the interval so “we deserve the victory.”

“I didn’t like the first half performance. I like the result. I liked very much the second half,” the Portuguese coach said.

“The first half I didn’t like. I was expecting us to start much better.

“I know David Moyes and Sunderland deserved credit for what they did in the first half.

“Second half we had everything back intensity recover the ball high in the pitch play fast passes and to have players like Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the bench helps. We deserve the victory.”

Mourinho was winning four Premier League games in a row for the first time since April 2015 when he was in charge at Chelsea.

Watch Manchester United v Feyenoord On WatchESPN

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Manchester United v Feyenoord

MANCHESTER, Sporting Alert – Manchester United go into Thursday’s Europa League clash against Feyenoord needing a win at Old Trafford.

The English Premier League side was beaten when these two teams met in the previous round, which left them with six points from four games and third-place in the group standings.

Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho is expected to make changes to his side for the encounter with the Portuguese confirming summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan will feature in the clash.

Mkhitaryan has struggled to fit into Mourinho’s plans since his big-money from Borussia Dortmund in the summer – making just six competitive appearances in all competitions.

The Armenia international was only a spectator during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League, which again led to speculations about his future.

However, Mkhitaryan has dismissed reports he’s seeking a move away from Old Trafford in January and Mourinho added that he will play for Manchester United on Thursday.

“I told him [Saturday] that he is going to be involved in the game against Feyenoord,” Jose said on Man United’s official website.

“He is trying. Obviously, he is not happy but he is transforming his frustration in a good way, which is to close the mouth, work hard and try to adapt.”

Mourinho said that he didn’t think the 27-year-old forward was ready to face the Gunners over the weekend.

“I told him ‘this was not the game for you’ because I don’t think he needs 10 or 20 minutes from the bench,” the boss said.

“I said ‘I think you need a good game and you need to either start or, if not, to come for the second half’.

“He needs less pressure and better conditions for him to express his qualities.”

Besides Mkhitaryan, Mourinho could also hand left-back Luke Shaw a starting place in the all-important Group A clash.

Shaw has been sidelined with an injury, but his boss revealed that although he missed out against Arsenal, the England defender is fit to play.

Returning from suspension is striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who missed the 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend after accumulating five yellow cards.

Still missing though are centre-backs Eric Bailly (knee) and Chris Smalling (toe), while Manchester United is reporting midfielder Marouane Fellaini remains doubtful with a calf injury.

Daley Blind, who missed the Gunners clash and Wayne Rooney, who started on the bench, could both feature as well.

Live TV Channels & Streams:
Fox Sports 1 USA, WatchESPN, Fox Sports GO, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, MUTV, BT Sport 2, BT Sport Live Streaming

Manchester United (squad): De Gea, Romero, Blind, Jones, Darmian, Fosu-Mensah, Rojo, Shaw, Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Lingard, Mata, Pogba, Schneiderlin, Young, Ibrahimovic, Depay, Martial, Valencia, Rashford, Rooney

Rooney Benched Again: Man United v Arsenal Team News, Listen Live

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MANCHESTER, Sporting Alert – Jose Mourinho makes four changes to his Manchester United side for today’s Premier League clash with Arsenal and the big headline is that Wayne Rooney is only on the bench.

Manchester United v Arsenal Team News, Listen Radio Stream

Rooney is fit again after recovering from an injury, but he will have to wait to come off the bench.

Another big team news from Old Trafford is the return of Antonio Valencia, who has recovered from a fractured arm his suffered in the Manchester derby and he replaces Ashley Young at right-back.

Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford all start as well.

Michael Carrick captains the team today with Rooney on the bench, while Paul Pogba is expected to play higher up the pitch in support of the attackers.

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10 – Manchester United have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League matches against Arsenal (W6 D3). Control. 7:00 AM – 19 Nov 2016

Mourinho is without striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is serving a one-match ban, while Marouane Fellaini misses out with a calf injury.

There is no place as well for Luke Shaw, who didn’t make the matchday squad.

For Arsenal, star forward Alexis Sanchez starts after convincing team doctors that he’s fit after a hamstring concern before he left for the international break.

Sanchez, who netted twice in Chile’s FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier win over Uruguay on Tuesday, only returned from South America late Thursday night.

Arsene Wenger makes three changes from the north London derby draw, as Mohamed Elneny replaces Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey comes in for Alex Iwobi.

The change sees Carl Jenkinson starting at right-back for Hector Bellerin, who is out injured.

There is no place again for Manchester United big money summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who is not even on the bench.

Arsenal have only conceded three goals away from home this year and netted 12 goals in the process.

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Darmian, Carrick, Ander Herrera, Mata, Pogba, Martial, Rashford. Subs: Depay, Rooney, Lingard, Blind, Young, Romero, Schneiderlin.

Arsenal: Cech, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Elneny, Walcott, Ozil, Ramsey, Sanchez. Subs: Gibbs, Gabriel, Giroud, Ospina, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Xhaka.

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)