“But this group of 23 is a great group and I think in this moment – and I told them this – there is a little bit of frustration for the ones that I have not selected”. Their spending on new players this offseason has nearly reached the $400-million barrier.
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Promoted clubs Hull, Middlesbrough and Burnley have recent Premier League experience so don’t expect them to be overawed, although they will start among the favorites for the drop.
United are said to have spoken to Real Madrid and Juventus about the possibility of bringing in one of Raphael Varane or Leonardo Bonucci to Old Trafford this summer to compete with Chris Smalling and Bailly, but neither player would leave their clubs cheaply. Standards slipped, rivals stole a march, a big reaction was needed. We may play with either four or five in midfield at different points of the season, but, regardless, there will be two out and out wingers and plenty of attacking intent.
“I think probably the other players are surprised”, Mourinho told BT Sport.
Fonte also recalled his trials with Chelsea during Mourinho’s first period in charge in 2004/5.
“Our objective”, City chief executive Ferran Soriano said, “is to get to the end of the season with chances to win everything”. The more money comes in, the further the top English clubs seem to be from the rest of European football. “They’re excellent players. We’re interested but I’m sure loads of other clubs are as well”.
That year’s Spanish Super Cup witnessed a new low in the relationship between the clubs as Mourinho poked Guardiola’s assistant Tito Vilanova in the eye during a touchline melee. They are winners, pure and simple.
“And then going to Bayern and having that, they’re the dominant force in Germany”.
The story of the rivalry between Guardiola, 45, and 53-year-old Mourinho – sacked by Chelsea last December – has become one of football’s most oft-repeated tales.
Despite our modest history, AFC Bournemouth have always had a reputation for being an attractive passing team and Howe’s tenure as manager has taken this to a new level.
Do you think Ibrahimovic will have a successful season at United? The world-record transfer fee of £80m for Cristiano Ronaldo is regarded as a bargain these days and Pogba’s transfer could potentially be viewed in the same way. Does the team still rely too much on injury-prone stars Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany? “The image he sells is not him, he is a good guy”. Is City’s defense good enough to win the league, even after the purchase of the highly-rated Stones?
Although the two matches were over two months apart, the cautions meant a one-match Coppa ban that has now been carried over to the Premier League.
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