“The reality is I was expecting a very hard match for my players”.
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Mkhitaryan pulled one back from a Juan Mata pass but United were unable to muster another, with Castro’s fine late strike adding extra gloss to Dortmund’s win on an energy-sapping night.
It will also be the first time that Mourinho will have his England internationals, as well as Spain goalkeeper David Gea, available after their layoff following Euro 2012.
A fee in the region of €40m has been mooted while United’s interest was made known to Varane through Mourinho himself, it’s claimed, who made it clear he wanted him at Old Trafford.
“You always feel you have to prove yourself every season, because it’s a dream to play for them”, the England skipper said after his first training session under new manager Jose Mourinho.
“I think you always feel pressure when you play for Manchester United”.
Borussia Dortmund’s remodelled side hit fine form in the 4-1 friendly win over Man United, much to the delight of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Manager Jose Mourinho of Manchester United watches from the touchline during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund at Shanghai Stadium on July 22, 2016 in Shanghai, China.
The new United boss spoke of “trusting Rooney a lot” and insisted that he would continue both as the “manager’s captain” and the “players” captain’. When you’re playing a team like Borussia Dortmund, that starts before us and, of course, are one of the good teams in Europe, it is obviously more hard.
“But, to be fair, I think he is. No, it was his decision, he was not the first option, but he was playing every game”, he said. Everything he got I see nobody offer him, he had to fight for it.
“But our fundamental market is 75 per cent done and when we sign one midfield player that crucial work will be done”. I don’t think we’re going to have a problem at that level.
United confirmed the signing of Ibrahimovic this month after prolonged speculation as to his next club once he outlined his intention to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
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Meanwhile, former Borussia forward Mkhitaryan, who moved to Old Trafford from the German side this summer will take on his ex-employers for the first time since leaving and Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel says he’s looking forward to facing the Armenian global.
