Jose Mourinho was remaining tight-lipped on his decision to drop Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney on Saturday afternoon.
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United’s first Premier League win in a month was sealed by half-time, but a third defeat for Leicester already matches their total for the whole of last season. “I have nothing else to say, he is my man, I trust him completely, he is happy as I am in this moment”.
After losing three games in quick succession last week, Mourinho has turned the ship perfectly, with a win over Northampton and Leicester.
Judging from the manner in which United trounced Leicester in the first half, Rooney may well fear that he may be neglected from first team affairs in the coming weeks of United’s campaign.
The world’s most expensive player headed in his first goal for the club after Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford had all found the net in United’s first-half rout to help banish thoughts of back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Watford.
Mourinho introduced Rooney for the final seven minutes and the manager was frustrated by further questioning in his post-match news conference.
Ranieri – most likely with one eye on the Champions League clash with Porto on Tuesday – took off Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy at half-time, and substitute Gray gave the travelling fans something to cheer when he cut in from the left 30 yards out and lashed an unstoppable shot beyond David de Gea and into the top corner.
“Sometimes when I read you [in the media], I feel I know nothing about football”, Mourinho said. I can only start with 11.
‘When the team didn’t play well he plays not so well, when the team plays better he plays better. The most impressive part, however, was that Mata had started the move, playing the ball into Pogba and darting into the penalty area. It’s as simple as that. It’s been a while.
“I’m just trying to play with freedom like I did a year ago and the manager supports me with that”.
‘We all want more from him and from the team. I’m not sure what he does now.
“He’s not a goalscorer, he’s not an out-and-out striker and he’s not a centre midfielder either. What’s his specialty in that team?” United are in the Europa League, have a league challenge to mount and the FA Cup to compete in.
“He also has a crucial role to play in the dressing room as both the United and England captain”.
Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Manchester United may have led to increased fear for Rashford’s development, but after giving Rashford his opportunity and Rashford taking it, it will be interesting to see how far Rashford improves this season.
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Argentine Aguero fired City ahead after nine minutes with a neat finish, but Swansea hit straight back through Spanish forward Fernando Llorente who blasted the ball home from 12 metres. His United future is on the line.
