We take a look at some of the key stories regarding Manchester United from the day
Right from the boss Jose Mourinho to fringe player Michael Carrick talking retirement and heaping praise on Antony Martial, we round up the news coming out of the Old Trafford locker room:
Jose Mourinho names four things about his United side that have surprised him
Jose Mourinho has had a underwhelming start to his Manchester United reign, with United sitting at sixth place in the table and already 11 points off leaders Chelsea. This has come as a surprise to many people, given that Mourinho spent heavily in the summer and was vocal about his title ambitions before the season.
Clearly we aren’t the only ones who are surprised, as Mourinho himself has been surprised with a few things about this United side :
“I’ve never had a team with so much possession, I’ve never had a team with so much creation, I’ve never had a team who create so many chances,” he told Manchester United’s official website.
“But, also, I’ve never had a team with so many draws. I want this beautiful team to win more matches and, for that, they need to score goals like they did today.”
United have only managed to win 5 games this season, drawing 5 and losing 3. He has actually had a worse start to his United career than Louis van Gaal and David Moyes, which is very surprising considering his stature and the fact that Manchester United are performing better statistically than they did under their former managers.
Sir Alex Ferguson happy with retirement
United’s woes unsurprisingly began when Sir Alex Ferguson called time on his 27-year reign at Manchester United in 2013. The Scot is one of the greatest – if not the greatest – managers in history and United have struggled to find a suitable successor following his retirement.
According to the man himself, however, he is enjoying his retirement and keeping busy. Speaking at the 2016 Grass Roots Soccer Gala, Ferguson said :
‘I work hard. It’s a different type of work – I’ve got my ambassadorial role with UNICEF, I’m part of the coaching institution at UEFA, I have a faculty at Harvard University and I’m a director of Manchester United – so pretty busy,’ he said, according to the Daily Mail.
Michael Carrick could retire at Manchester United
Michael Carrick has said that he could end his playing career at Manchester United. The midfielder has made 9 appearances for united this season, but at 35 is nearing the end of his playing career.
Carrick is in his 11th year with the club, having joined from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006. Many thought he would move on from the club this season, but Mourinho opted to keep the midfielder and his experience has proven invaluable. Carrick himself says he would be happy to retire at United, as he finds it hard to picture himself playing anywhere else :
“It would be very difficult to play somewhere else,’ Carrick said, according to the Daily Mail
‘I have said all along, I am relaxed about it (his future at United). It depends if I am playing and if I am playing well enough, if I feel I can contribute, if the manager feels I can contribute. There are a lot of things to be decided. I am quite relaxed.’
Carrick is one of United’s longest serving players currently in the squad.
Martial’s ability is “frightening” according to Carrick
Michael Carrick has said Antony Martial has immense promise, and thinks that the French youngster can be a threat to anyone.
Martial was recently told to up his game by Jose Mourinho, who has been very vocal in his criticism of Manchester United players who he feels are under performing.
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, Carrick had this to say about his teammate :
“The ability and attributes he has are frightening at times,” he said. “When he is on fire, he is a threat to anyone. He started the game terrifically well and grew as it went on. It is great to see him playing like that.
“He is fully confident and believing. There is plenty more to come from him, which is a good sign for us.”
The 20-year old has made 14 appearances for Manchester United this season – 4 of which have come as a substitute – scoring 4 goals and picking up 2 assists. He was on hand to score a brace in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over West Ham in the EFL Cup.
