Even Mourinho can not reinvent a team in the space of a single summer and there is plenty of evidence that United are still suffering from the problems that bedevilled them under Louis van Gaal – the 0-0 draw with Everton in Wayne Rooney’s testimonial being a case in point.
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“I’d have said [Bailly] was man of the match”.
“We play for the trophies and I’m super happy and super excited for the goal – but especially for the win because it’s a trophy for the team”.
Jose Mourinho, watching Manchester United beat Leicester City during Sunday’s Community Shield match.
“It feels good to be in Manchester United and this is what counts”.
Marquez thinks he’s going to be a big star for United, but acknowledges that he’s still to refine elements of his game – chiefly consistency, timing when tackling and an ability to stay on his feet – before he can be considered an elite level defender.
“My individual performances will come”, he said to MUTV. I experienced a bunch of players just as hungry as last season.
They begin the defence of their title at Hull on Saturday and boss Claudio Ranieri was pleased with their display.
Another of United’s new signings, Eric Bailly, made an encouraging start, although he was regularly tested by Vardy. He slalomed past both of Leicester’s center backs, Robert Huth and Morgan, darted past Danny Simpson and slid a finish under goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Okazaki was then denied by the crossbar a minute later when he met Marc Albrighton’s corner with a powerful header as the Premier League champions threatend United’s goal.
Following a glut of changes by both sides, Musa squandered a chance to give Leicester victory when he headed Robert Huth’s flick-on over the bar from point-blank range.
Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the 83rd minute victor with a towering header, while Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly was an aggressive and mobile presence in central defendce.
The Portuguese, who looks set to add Paul Pogba to his squad after the club confirmed the Juventus midfielder is set for a medical on Monday, has said that Ibrahimovic will get better and better as United adjust to his philosophies.
Mata hit the headlines on Sunday after Mourinho brought him on as a substitute, only to bring him off again in the dying moments.
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Mourinho explained he withdraw the diminutive Mata because Leicester were playing long balls.
