I Have Never Been Out Of Shape – Luke Shaw

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw said he has never been out of shape as he likened his build to former captain Wayne Rooney, while the Englishman has the backing of Jose Mourinho heading into a make-or-break season.

Shaw has struggled to establish himself under the United manager Jose Mourinho since the Portuguese replaced Louis van Gaal in 2016, the former Southampton full-back limited to just eight Premier League starts last season.

Perceived weight issues and a poor diet have emerged as possible reasons behind Shaw's failure to win over Mourinho at Old Trafford, with make-shift full-back Ashley Young preferred in the starting XI.

However, the 23-year-old – who is in the final year of his deal – defended his physique and insisted he is ready to win a new contract following a gruelling personal pre-season training routine in Dubai.

"People think because of the way I'm naturally built I'm bigger than I am," Shaw said. "People can say I'm fat but I know my own body. Of course I always look big because I'm bigger built. You could say a Wayne Rooney type of body.

"But of course I worked hard and not just for them [the critics], I wanted to for myself, get in the best shape and that wasn't my best shape. It was a good shape to start the season off, the preseason, but now I'm working harder than ever and first game of the season I want to look 10 times better than I did in that picture.

"I'm working towards that and with the games and training we're doing here. Obviously we've got a new fitness coach and he's working us all hard and that's what I need."

Shaw, who does not want to sign a contract right now as he fights to prove his worth, added: "I guess you've just got to take it [criticism] because there is always going to be negative criticism and positive but I think both of them can make you stronger. And I think I've been unlucky because I've had a few ups and downs with different managers but I would say I've never been out of shape I've just, I don't know, sometimes people don't think I'm fitter than I am but that's all in the past.

"And, honestly, I feel really good and I'm raring to go. The minutes are only going to help me become fitter. That's what I need: minutes and hard work in training."

Mourinho has been critical of Shaw during his tenure at Old Trafford, but the latter insisted he has the backing of his boss heading into a defining 2018-19 season.

"I spoke with the manager about a week after the holidays. I was in Dubai and he texted me and we had a really good chat, it made me feel really confident about the upcoming season and that's why I worked really hard. I want to prove to him as well that I can be here, as well in this team," Shaw said.

Asked if he doubted his future after he was substituted at half-time of United's FA Cup clash against Brighton and Hove Albion last season, Shaw replied: "Not doubts, but there has been emotion. I was very upset but he only does stuff like that because he knows what I can do.

"We've had this conversation. It was literally like two days after. I hadn't spoken to him since. I was very upset. We were training and he spoke with me afterwards and he said: 'It's frustrating to see you like that when I know you can do this.' It's all positive and it's down to me to prove it to him. He said that he knows I can be the best, but he sometimes feels frustrated that I'm not doing that. He knows what I can do. That was one of the texts he sent me in the offseason. 'I know what you can do - you can be the best but you've just got to work on a couple of things.' That's why it pushes me on more.

"He says these things because he knows I can do it. He knows I can be a top player. He knows I can play for Manchester United. It's horrible at times because people only see those things he says [in public]. That's fine because I'm a grown man and I can take stuff like that. I'm used to it. But the stuff inside the training ground, no one sees apart from me. It still gives me confidence."

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Jose Mourinho Surprised By England Antrics Against Colombia

Portuguese Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was full of surprise by England's antics against Colombia, criticising defender Harry Maguire for diving.

England progressed from the last-16 clash at the World Cup, winning 4-3 on penalties after the 1-1 draw in Moscow Tuesday.

But there were eight yellow cards shown during a tempestuous encounter and it was the approach of Gareth Southgate's men that surprised Mourinho.

The Portuguese tactician singled out Maguire, accusing the Leicester City defender of diving to try to win a penalty.

"The negative thing for me was the fact… I think there is exaggeration on theatre by the players," he told Russia Today.

"I was surprised to see central defenders like Harry Maguire, normally he is a very honest guy, diving in the attacking box asking the referee for VAR.

"Every team has lots of diving, lots of pretending, lots of putting pressure on the referee.

"The game loses quality… and for me that was the negative point."

Colombia received six of the eight yellow cards for the game, including one for Wilmar Barrios for an apparent headbutt on Jordan Henderson.

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Sanchez Very Close - Mourinho

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had earlier admitted that the Chile star would soon call Old Trafford his new home when he told reporters it was 'likely' the deal was as good as done. 

Reports indicate that the out-of-favour Henrikh Mkhitaryan will move to the Emirates Stadium in part-exchange for Sanchez, and the midfielder will not face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

Mourinho said: "There is no point in trying to hide or deny, but it is not done at all. I think clearly everybody knows that we are there and especially when Arsenal manager speaks so clearly like he did.

"But [it is] not done, not done at all. In this moment Mkhitaryan our player, Sanchez is an Arsenal player. With a match tomorrow, I want to switch off and focus on what is the most important thing. Sometimes people think transfers involve the managers a lot in the negotiations. 

"I think it depends a lot on the profile of the club, the way we establish our jobs and in my case when it goes to the table of negotiations I like to be out. I'm out. I will just be calmly waiting for news. No more than that." 

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Mourinho Gives Green Lights On Cristiano Ronaldo Return

According to Spanish TV channel La Sexta, the Premier League club have studied the economic viability of the deal and told Mou he can go ahead.

Manchester United have activated their "bring Ronaldo home" plan, according to Spanish TV channel La Sexta. The information comes from journalist José Luis Sánchez, who says that José Mourinho, currently renegotiating his contract with Man Utd, has give the green light for the return of the Portuguese star, currently with Real Madrid. Ronaldo is currently unhappy at the Spanish giants and wants to leave next summer, with his first option being a return to Manchester United.

Man Utd's economic study says Ronaldo deal 'viable'

The Old Trafford outfit have carried out an economic 'deep dive' study into the economic viability of the operation, which would involve vast outlays in both transfer fees and salary, with Ronaldo desperate to be crowned as the biggest earner on football's money list. The English club foresee a total cost of 400 million euros, paying some 200 million to Real Madrid, but the marketing men and bean counters at Man Utd reckon the media impact and marketing potential could easily outweigh the spend, generating vast streams of income for the Red Devils.

This newspaper recently revealed that Ronaldo was "utterly depressed" because he felt he'd been "tricked". Having won the Duodécima (Real Madrid's 12th European Cup) with two goals from him (and having driven, as he sees it, Madrid to the final with eight goals in the quarter and semi-finals), president Florentino Pérez promised him an improved contract. However the new deal has not arrived. Ronaldo has won the last two Ballon d'Ors and feels that his performances have not been rewarded, particularly in light of the salary difference to other top players, with Messi and Neymar earning far more than him.

The return of Ronaldo to Manchester United would mean a re-encounter with Mourinho, who was his coach from 2010 to 2013 at the Bernabéu. The two did not always see eye to eye, but the passage of time has smoothed over any differences. Mou was invited to the premier of Ronaldo's film in London, and when asked about the player Mou said recently: "I've got great memories of him..."

SOURCE: All Football

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Wenger Hits Back Over Lacazette Jibe

Arsene Wenger has hit back at Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho over comments he made about Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.

After being withdrawn at half-time in the Gunners’ 5-0 win over Huddersfield, Wenger had ruled Lacazette out of the game against United with a groin injury.

However, the Frenchman was in the starting XI to face the Red Devils, scoring Arsenal’s goal in the 3-1 defeat.

Mourinho aimed at dig at Wenger, by suggesting he had not been completely truthful in his assessment of Lacazette.

The United boss said: “Do you want the truth? The truth is Bailly, no chance. Jones and Fellaini a chance. Zlatan a big chance & Matic is injured but will play. No stories of Lacazette [or] Silva. All the truth.”

Wenger responded to the Portuguese by insisting his comments on Lacazette were based entirely on what he had been told by Arsenal’s medical department.

“I thought he wouldn’t play but in the end he could,” said the Arsenal boss. “What did you want me to do? Leave him at home?

“I’m always honest. I thought really he wouldn’t play. That’s what I was told. He had a test on Friday morning, then even when he went to the game we weren’t sure if he would play.

“But he tried and he played. That’s part of football.”

“I don’t worry about that,” he said. “We have a chance to win it so let’s give it a go. We go to direct knockout now. It’s important we give everything to win it.

“That’s why it’s important in these rounds that we give some young players experience.”

SOURCE: TEAM TALK

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How Mourinho uses PSG interest to pressure Manchester United

After Manchester United's dismal defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, stories about Jose Mourinho would emerge once again, after having previously been linked with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain it seems he is using this interest to pressure his current employers.

Mourinho's current Old Trafford contract only runs until June 2019 and there is a sense that the former Real Madrid coach would like an improved deal as he continues his job of placing United back at the forefront of English football.

According to a report in The Sun, Jorge Mendes has held informal talks with the French giants about the 54-year-old taking over at the Parc des Princes at some point in the future.

The aforementioned report suggests that these talks are all part of a coherent strategy from the Mendes camp to put pressure on Ed Woodward and Co. with regards to handing the Portuguese coach a salary increase.

All is not well for the tactician at Carrington, he is witnessing Pep Guardiola's Manchester City play some of the finest football England has ever seen and is coming in for criticism from sections of his own fanbase for his perceived negative tactics in big matches.

Failing to sign Ivan Perisic in the summer is known to have left Mourinho disappointed. Looking across at Guardiola being given over 100 million euros to spend on three full-backs, he is not being allowed to spend 45m euros on a player he sees as pivotal to the season's success.

Just how important this kyboshed deal is to the coach is not known fully, yet it is clear he will want reinforcements in January.

Another facet of the campaign to pressure the Old Trafford club is to try and get the funding for January signings. It may well be that the 2017/18 championship is Manchester City's to lose, but it can't hurt Mourinho to begin his preparations for the next campaign early.

Generally, it is hard to suggest the former Porto coach has done anything other than a fine job with the Red Devils, in his debut season he took a team that was on its knees to glory in both the League Cup and Europa League.

In his second season he currently sits second in the Premier League and is all-but qualified for the Champions League knockout phase after four matches; it is worth remembering United haven't been in that position since David Moyes was coach in 2013/14.

It is understandable that he would want an increase in pay, although very few individuals have taken on Manchester United over the years and remained in place.

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Jose Mourinho Has To Sell In January If New Players Is To Be Welcomed

Jose Mourinho will not be able to add to his Manchester United squad in the January transfer window unless he offloads some of the fringe players at Old Trafford.

United chiefs want to keep a lid on spending when the window reopens and don't plan on making the squad any bigger than it currently is, according to the BBC.

Mourinho has been allowed to spend big since taking over the reins at the start of last season, splashing out £285million on six major signings.

The Premier League club's latest financial results were released in September and showed a significant rise in their wage bill, with an increase of 13.5% to £263.5m.

And Portuguese boss Mourinho will be told by the Old Trafford board that he has to sell players in order to bring new faces in.

Luke Shaw is among those who could be heading out the exit door, having struggled to cement a first-team spot following his £27m move from Southampton in 2014.

The left back has started just four top-flight matches in a year and it is believed Mourinho would be happy to sell the England international.

Marouane Fellaini could be another departure in January. The midfielder is out of contract in the summer and will be free to talk to overseas clubs when the window reopens.

Mourinho has sold 16 first-team players since replacing Louis van Gaal in 2016 but rarely have those departures generated significant income.

Only the sales of Memphis Depay — sold to Lyon for £16m — and the £22m exit of Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton can be viewed as profitable departures.

However, high-earners Wayne Rooney and Bastian Schweinsteiger have also left the club in the last year.

On the pitch, Mourinho's men suffered a setback at the weekend after the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea saw them slip eight points behind league leaders Manchester City.

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Desailly Rises To Mourinho’s Defence, Begs For More Time For Manchester United Boss

Chelsea iconic superstar Marcel Desailly has pleaded to Manchester United fans to remain patient with manager Jose Mourinho as he shapes the squad to his own liking after the team were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to fall eight points behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

The Portuguese delivered EFL Cup and Europa League glory in his first season at Old Trafford, but the devastating form of neighbours City has left United trailing in their wake in 2017-18.

And Desailly believes Mourinho should remain true to his style as the manager grapples with a playing staff not yet entirely to his satisfaction.

“He has to stay as Mourinho. He knows the capacity of his team,” Desailly told Omnisport, speaking ahead of the Golden Foot Hublot Award in Monaco.

“He looks like he’s not really had the team he wanted, like when you compare with [Pep] Guardiola, who really chose every player he wanted in and out. Mourinho, he’s still dealing with some players that he didn’t really want in his system.

“He’s doing well, so I hope United will shine like they were shining at the time with [Alex] Ferguson.

“But it’s tough. Every time, every game, there’s big history on the shoulders of all the players and on the manager. So, let’s give him time.”

Credit: Complete Sports

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Manchester United open talks For Lucas Moura

Landing Willian from Chelsea is Jose Mourinho’s first target, but due to the difficulty of the transfer, the United boss is also lining up his fellow Brazilian counterpart as an alternative. Antonio Conte sends transfer plea to Chelsea board after FA Cup final defeat.

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No contract proposal from Manchester United - Jose Mourinho’s agent

Jose Mourinho, who was fired by Chelsea last week, has not received a contract proposal from Manchester United to replace Louis van Gaal as manager, his agent told Globoesporte.

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Cesc Fabregas praises Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's Tactics

Cesc Fabregas has hailed the ability of Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho to read games and quickly make the changes his side needs.

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Goodbye and thanks, Fernando Torres

With recent news that Fernando Torres is set to join AC Milan on loan, provided an agreement can be reached on the much-maligned 30-year-old Chelsea striker's 180,000 pounds-per-week salary, many

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Chelsea were Sluggish - Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho accused his players of being lazy as they struggled to break down Premier League new-boys Leicester at Stamford Bridge,

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Petr Cech Is Unhappy Playing Second Fiddle To Thibaut Courtois - Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho admits Petr Cech is unhappy at Chelsea after losing his place to Thibaut Courtois.

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