The Hard Tackle takes a look at all the Manchester United related news circulating around as they prepare for their final game in the Europa League group stage.
It was a disappointing weekend for United as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Everton in the Premier League. They head into an ultimately inconsequential last game in the Europa League group stage against Ukranian side Zorya Luhansk, which they should cruise.
Ahead of the game there has been a former Liverpool and United player has stood up for Mourinho, a Celtic legend regrets leaving the club and Dutch winger Memphis Depay just can’t seem to get it right.
Paul Ince says Mourinho is just what Manchester United need
The former English midfielder is one of the few players to have played for both Liverpool and Manchester United. Ince spent six seasons at United between 1989 and 1995, winning two Premier League titles.
Having played under Sir Alex Ferguson, Ince knows a thing or two about successful managers at Old Trafford. The 49-year-old has now backed Jose Mourinho as the one who can get United back to the top again.
“United fans have been brought up on their teams creating chances, scoring goals and playing exciting football,” Ince wrote in his column for Paddy Power, according to Metro.
“They ran out of patience with Moyes and Van Gaal because they couldn’t see that happening, but under Mourinho there’s signs that he is getting the team where they need to be.”
The former England ace added that Mourinho was the best person to help the club evolve and return to their former glory. He noted that despite a poor run of games, United seemed to be taking shape and were beginning to dominate opponents once again.
Henrik Larsson regrets ever leaving Manchester United
Celtic and Sweden legend Henrik Larsson had a short but memorable association with the Red Devils. He joined United as a 35-year-old in 2007, scoring 3 goals in 13 appearances during a three-month loan spell at Old Trafford.
Despite his short stay, the Swede striker etched his name into many a heart at Old Trafford with his memorable goals and all round professionalism. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to stay longer, but he returned to Swedish club Helsingborg because of a promise to his family.
Larsson has now revealed that the decision was one that he regrets.
“That’s the only regret I have in my career,” he says in an interview with FourFourTwo.
“I should have stayed, as it would have meant I got a Premier League winner’s medal, and I would have stayed for one more season. But I still had a contract with Helsingborgs and I feel that when you sign a contract, you have to see it out.”
Larsson’s association with his boyhood club Helsingborg continued as he was appointed manager in 2015. But it came to a bitter end this past November when he and his son Jordan were attacked by fans after the club was relegated from the Swedish top flight.
Rock bottom for Memphis Depay
Dutch winger Memphis Depay arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2015 amidst much hype and expectation. The 22-year-old was handed the number 7 shirt and began drawing comparisons with its previous wearer Cristiano Ronaldo.
However he failed to make much of an impact in his debut season, and new manager Jose Mourinho has hung him out to dry this time around. Depay has made just one start this season, and rumor has it that he may well be on his way out of the club soon.
Now he truly seems to have hit rock bottom, as the Dutchman hasn’t even been included in the match day squad for United’s inconsequential last Europa League group stage game against minnows Zorya Luhansk.
Depay responded to the omission with a snapchat post showing him training hard at Carrington. It remains to be seen if the Dutchman can revive his career at Old Trafford.
