Meanwhile, Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea just months after guiding them to the Premier League glory last season.
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The Spaniard, however, did say that he would welcome Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, playing down concerns over whether the former Chelsea boss’s defensive style would suit the club’s philosophy.
Manchester City’s announcement that Pep Guardiola will be their new manager at the end of the season has piled further pressure on United to respond with a statement of their own. This has led to speculation that Jose Mourinho will be replacing him in the summer with some reports even claiming, he has already agreed a deal with the club.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has picked defender Luke Shaw in his Europa League squad to give him a target for his recovery.
“I know the manager is getting a lot of criticism at the moment but sometimes the players have to take control of the situation”.
Mourinho, who also won the league with Chelsea in his first two seasons there from 2004 to 2006, suggested that he deliberately created “instability” among players once they won trophies, to avoid any complacency.
But Van Gaal claims it is more a case of Rooney and Lingard finding form.
“And it is especially so with Wayne Rooney, who is saying that because he has scored seven goals (in seven games)”. It’s not because of a change of attitude from Mr Louis van Gaal or another way of training. United are facing a fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League, having exited the group stage of the competition in December. Michael Carrick said that and I had the same feeling.
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Van Gaal feels United played some “sparkling football” in the midweek win over Stoke and another victory on Sunday would reignite their campaign. United want to avoid the mistake made with David Moyes, of appointing someone unproven at this level, a stance that has also been influenced by City’s appointment of Guardiola.
