Paul Pogba is ready to feature for Manchester United against Southampton on Friday, though Jose Mourinho has warned he may not yet be able to live up to his star billing.
Advertisement
Manchester United’s Team Manager Jose Mourinho grimaces during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. If he plays behind Ibrahimovic that puts Wayne Rooney in doubt and Rooney has to play – not that he deserves a place, but they have to play him.
Parker condemned the £93.8m transfer of Pogba from Juventus to Manchester United, stating that the midfielder might not be fit for the role.
“I expect the first time he touches the ball to make a correct pass, a good selection of passes, a good choice, a good simple execution and the game fluid”.
“First of all, when you speak about the best players in the world, you go immediately to the ones that score a lot of goals”, said Mourinho. I believe he can not score 20 goals in a season.
All eyes will be on Pogba, who left United to join Juventus in 2012 before returning this summer, when he makes his second Premier League debut for the Red Devils against Southampton on Friday. He knows everybody and doesn’t need time to adapt, just time to build his condition and his understanding in the way the team tries to play. “But in condition to accelerate his process of integration in the team, that’s for sure”.
Smalling was arguably one of United’s best players last season, despite an own goal in the final league game and getting sent off in the FA Cup final.
“Riyad was always concentrated but of course all the speculation could affect him”, said coach Claudio Ranieri, “but we never spoke about this”.
“If the fans feel that connection, they want also to play, and if the fans play then there’s no chance for the opponent”. “I am not paid to comment on the comments of people who are paid to comment”, Mourinho said.
Advertisement
When asked about the possibility of more signings, he told a press conference: “The market is open until 31 August, but I am very happy with the players I have”.
