Mesut Özil made the move a few years ago and took time to get used to the clearly different league, with many teams vying for glory at the end of the season – in Germany there may be two or three teams from the start of the season who may look like title candidates, but usually by the three-quarter point, there is a clear victor.
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But the much-maligned Belgian will play soon play under his third Manchester United manager.
The game, arranged at short notice to give Mournho extra competition prior to his team leaving for a tour of China on Tuesday, was predictably low-key.
But it still represented a winning start to his reign as United manager as the 5,500 United supporters in attendance welcomed him by chanting his name within the opening minute.
In Sunday’s edition, he claimed that Mourinho plans to sell Marcos Rojo, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Daley Blind and Juan Mata, but wants to retain Fellaini because he “can operate in multiple positions, offering height, physicality and experience”.
This is a guy who was voted Chelsea’s player o the season for the firt two years he was at the club, was one of the most creative forces along under Van Gaal’s first season in charge and also created the most number of chances in a Red shirt for United last season.
A well-worked free-kick saw Mata pick out Ander Herrera in the Wigan penalty area and, after his shot was blocked, Brazilian Pereira was handed the simple opportunity to sweep the ball in from a dozen yards. This season will be an exciting one – having Eric Bailly. another debutant against Wigan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Mkhitaryan at the club has made my mouth water in anticipation – if Jose Mourinho manages to sign a player like Paul Pogba or Blaise Matuidi, the squad will be strong ahead of the new season.
‘I wanted to give him more minutes because he needs to play more than others. But there is still hope that Mourinho might decide to keep him at the club.
The Manchester United defender broke his leg playing in a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven in September and only returned in Saturday’s friendly against Wigan Athletic.
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The 21-year-old was named in United’s starting XI and he played 45 minutes of the match at the DW Stadium.
