After the Special One and the Grumpy One the Manchester United manager’s new direction appears to be a popular oneThere may have been more rivetingly awkward televised football interviews in the last few seasons than José Mourinho’s rivetingly awkward post-match exchange with the BBC’s Juliette Ferrington on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday. But not many of them. And none as rivetingly awkward in quite the same way – awkward to an end, pointedly awkward, awkward with a certain kind of gain in mind; and above all, just really awkward. Related: Mourinho headline grabbing ‘shielding’ Manchester United’s players – Matic Mourinho has only really been his best when he has been the underdog, coming from outside the elite to...
The Portuguese’s obsession with his own importance is wearing but what qualifies Ed Woodward to consider that his judgment of a player’s ability outweighs that of the manager?What do you imagine Ed Woodward will be thinking, from his seat in the Bob Lord stand, when a plane flies over Turf Moor this afternoon and the message trailed in the skies makes it clear there are Manchester United supporters who prefer to hold him responsible for the club’s current predicament rather than subjecting José Mourinho to any real form of mutiny?It will need the thickest of skins, presumably, when the plane’s banner will read “Ed Woodward – specialist in failure” on the same weekend, 10 years since Abu Dhabi’s royal family...
Burnley chairman Bob Lord took raised hackles to new heights with his comments about Manchester United after MunichIt’s often said José Mourinho … don’t worry, this isn’t another column about José Mourinho ... it’s often said he could start a 22-strong media‑accredited brawl in an empty press room. But for services to the field of unnecessarily inflammatory quotation, deliberately incendiary riffing and consequence‑disregarding button‑pressing, Mou is the spiritual love child of Mahatma Gandhi and bed-in era John Lennon when compared with Bob Lord. Related: Is José Mourinho still the man to fix Manchester United’s problems? | Jamie Jackson Lord accused United of running around like Teddy Boys and said they risked losing the sympathy of the public post-Munich Related: Champions...
Chelsea and Arsenal promise goals and flaws, Fulham must tighten up and will sparks fly between Benítez and Warnock?Friday football countdown: latest news and more – live!With two teams in flux, Chelsea’s derby with Arsenal is a meeting that promises goals. Both sides are vulnerable in defence and dangerous in attack. Although beaten comfortably in the end, Huddersfield exposed Chelsea’s weakness to attacks down the wings last week and Arsenal may aim to do likewise, while David Luiz, in particular, will likely struggle to keep up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the middle. But Chelsea’s midfield thrusters – who could include Eden Hazard from the start as well as N’Golo Kanté in all-new Roving Mode – could wreak havoc at the...
Given how fearful the Manchester United manager was of this season opener, maybe he can afford to start smilingIn the way only football can, this contest started in breath-taking Boys’ Own fashion. Paul Pogba has had his issues with José Mourinho yet just 75 seconds into a season advertised as a struggle by Manchester United’s manager his prize midfielder rifled home a priceless lead. Related: Paul Pogba penalty gives Manchester United dream start against Leicester Related: Manchester United v Leicester City: Premier League – as it happened Continue reading...