Southampton are set to offer captain Jose Fonte a new contract, in the hope it will persuade him not to join Manchester United.
Advertisement
There is no problem with Jose, it is just unusual that this rumour comes just before the game at United.
Jose Fonte, who has been linked with a move to United, is in contention to make his first start of the season for Southampton after being given extra holiday following Euro 2016 but Ryan Bertrand is injured.
The Frenchman said: “I do not think there is a possibility for Jose to leave us”.
However, Southampton boss Puel is not impressed that ahead of side’s trip to Old Trafford, rumours of Fonte joining Manchester United have emerged, and he feels the speculation is emanating from the Red Devils side.
“It is a possibility it comes from United, it is unusual”. He is a very good professional and has trained well this week.
“Jose is our captain, there is no problem with Jose”.
“Just Ryan Bertrand can not play this game”.
“Jose has good experience, so I know he can not be disturbed by the story”, he said.
At the start of the week, he made it clear that he wants to stay at Southampton but also that he is flattered by the attention he is receiving from top clubs in England. I am sure that he can play all these games.
United’s new frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic has proved a nemesis for Puel during their duels in France’s Ligue 1 – with the Swedish superstar scoring 11 times in seven appearances against his Nice teams. “It will give us confidence going into the next game and hopefully we can get a good result”.
Advertisement
“But he is a fantastic player, he can score without opportunities and it is hard to deal with him but I think against him, our collective effort will be most important”. Ibra is a fantastic player and it is very hard to take him on.
