Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has turned down three job offers since being sacked by the Old Trafford club last month, adding he was happy to bide his time before taking on his next challenge.

Speaking in his role as a pundit for broadcaster beIN Sports during the Asian Cup on Saturday, the Portuguese also said rival Premier League managers Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Liverpool's Juergen Klopp were supported more by their clubs.

"I am happy with these three weeks, I am happy with this experience and I am going to have other experiences that normally I cannot have," Mourinho said.

"But I know me, and I know by the end of March I will be struggling with my happiness.

"I will analyse things, I don't like to speak about it. But I've refused already three options because I didn't feel that it is what I want, so I'm going to be calm in this aspect.

"The more time I have, the better I can prepare. The next must be something that makes me happy with a challenge."

At United, Mourinho was left frustrated in the close season transfer window when Liverpool, in particular, strengthened markedly and City added to a squad already deep in quality.

"In Liverpool, I think how many players were in Liverpool before Juergen arrived? No Alisson (Becker), no (Virgil) Van Dijk, no (Andrew) Robertson, no (Mohamed) Salah, no (Roberto) Firmino, no (Sadio) Mane, no Fabinho, no (Georginio) Wijnaldum, no (Naby) Keita, so this is work in depth," he said.

"In the case of Manchester City. In the first season, Guardiola was not a champion, it was really difficult and people were expecting a winning Manchester City.

"They were coming already from winning period, champions with (Roberto) Mancini and (Manuel) Pellegrini. Some of the players were already champions twice, (Sergio) Aguero and (Vincent) Kompany, and in the first to the second season Pep made great decisions, but great decisions that were supported.

"For example, he didn't want (Pablo) Zabaleta or (Bacary) Sagna, two right backs, and he didn't want (Aleksander) Kolarov or (Gael) Clichy. In the same summer he sold four full backs and got four full backs. He got (Kyle) Walker, Danilo, (Benjamin) Mendy and another. He was supported."

Mourinho said he did not know if he would work again in England but said wherever he goes next he wants to prepare thoroughly, as he did when he went to Inter Milan following his first stint with Chelsea.

"My arrival at Inter was perfect," he said. "I left Chelsea in November and at the end of February I signed my contact at Inter. From February until June I was preparing myself for that job. In that four months I learned the language, studied the club and the opponents and the league.

"The time I'm without a job in football I prepare for the next one."

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has turned down three job offers since being sacked by the Old Trafford club last month, adding he was happy to bide his time before taking on his next challenge.

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has turned down three job offers since being sacked by the Old Trafford club last month, adding he was happy to bide his time before taking on his next challenge. Speaking in his role as a pundit for broadcaster beIN Sports during the Asian Cup on Saturday, the Portuguese also said rival Premier League managers Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Liverpool's Juergen Klopp were supported more by their clubs. "I am happy with these three weeks, I am happy with this experience and I am going to have other experiences that normally I cannot have," Mourinho said. "But I know me, and I know by the end of March I will be struggling with my happiness. "I will analyse things, I don't like to speak about it. But I've refused already three options because I didn't feel that it is what I want, so I'm going to be calm in this aspect. "The more time I have, the better I can prepare. The next must be something that makes me happy with a challenge." At United, Mourinho was left frustrated in the close season transfer window when Liverpool, in particular, strengthened markedly and City added to a squad already deep in quality. "In Liverpool, I think how many players were in Liverpool before Juergen arrived? No Alisson (Becker), no (Virgil) Van Dijk, no (Andrew) Robertson, no (Mohamed) Salah, no (Roberto) Firmino, no (Sadio) Mane, no Fabinho, no (Georginio) Wijnaldum, no (Naby) Keita, so this is work in depth," he said. "In the case of Manchester City. In the first season, Guardiola was not a champion, it was really difficult and people were expecting a winning Manchester City. "They were coming already from winning period, champions with (Roberto) Mancini and (Manuel) Pellegrini. Some of the players were already champions twice, (Sergio) Aguero and (Vincent) Kompany, and in the first to the second season Pep made great decisions, but great decisions that were supported. "For example, he didn't want (Pablo) Zabaleta or (Bacary) Sagna, two right backs, and he didn't want (Aleksander) Kolarov or (Gael) Clichy. In the same summer he sold four full backs and got four full backs. He got (Kyle) Walker, Danilo, (Benjamin) Mendy and another. He was supported." Mourinho said he did not know if he would work again in England but said wherever he goes next he wants to prepare thoroughly, as he did when he went to Inter Milan following his first stint with Chelsea. "My arrival at Inter was perfect," he said. "I left Chelsea in November and at the end of February I signed my contact at Inter. From February until June I was preparing myself for that job. In that four months I learned the language, studied the club and the opponents and the league. "The time I'm without a job in football I prepare for the next one."

Jose Mourinho says already turned down three job offers

Brighton and Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton has praised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his record-breaking start at Manchester United, refuting Paul Ince's claims that "anyone" could have improved the club's form after Jose Mourinho's sacking.

Since replacing the Portuguese in December, Solskjaer has won his first six games as United manager, a club record, and Hughton said the Norwegian deserved credit for turning things around at Old Trafford.

Former United midfielder Ince said in comments published by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power earlier this week that he "could have gone in and done the same thing" because "it couldn't get any worse at Manchester United before Jose Mourinho left."

"I don't think just anybody could have gone in and had the record (Solskjaer) has now," Hughton said ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to United. "I think you have to give him credit for that.

"In whatever way he has done that, and I don't know what way that is, he's got results."

Hughton was in the stands as United beat third-placed Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Wembley Stadium last Sunday and said he was impressed with their style of play under their new boss.

"Seeing their recent games, they are playing a way that allows the quality and pace in their side to show and they look like they can score goals," he added.

"They're aggressive in the way they are pressing, so at this moment they are in really good form which makes it a more difficult task for us."

Brighton and Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton has praised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his record-breaking start at Manchester United, refuting Paul Ince's claims that "anyone" could have improved the club's form after Jose Mourinho's sacking.

Brighton and Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton has praised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his record-breaking start at Manchester United, refuting Paul Ince's claims that "anyone" could have improved the club's form after Jose Mourinho's sacking. Since replacing the Portuguese in December, Solskjaer has won his first six games as United manager, a club record, and Hughton said the Norwegian deserved credit for turning things around at Old Trafford. Former United midfielder Ince said in comments published by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power earlier this week that he "could have gone in and done the same thing" because "it couldn't get any worse at Manchester United before Jose Mourinho left." "I don't think just anybody could have gone in and had the record (Solskjaer) has now," Hughton said ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to United. "I think you have to give him credit for that. "In whatever way he has done that, and I don't know what way that is, he's got results." Hughton was in the stands as United beat third-placed Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Wembley Stadium last Sunday and said he was impressed with their style of play under their new boss. "Seeing their recent games, they are playing a way that allows the quality and pace in their side to show and they look like they can score goals," he added. "They're aggressive in the way they are pressing, so at this moment they are in really good form which makes it a more difficult task for us."

Chris Hughton rejects Paul Ince assessment of Solskjaer's record start at Manchester United

Manchester United are more willing and better prepared to attack opponents under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer than Jose Mourinho, according to midfielder Paul Pogba.

The French World Cup winner's own return to form is in keeping with a rejuvenated United as a whole since the Norwegian replaced the sacked Mourinho last month.

Pogba, who was dropped by Mourinho for his final three Premier League games in charge, has scored four goals and provided four assists as Solskjaer has become the first United manager to win all of his first six games.

"The way we are playing we have more possession of the ball. We know more where to attack and where to go. We have more of a pattern of play and more of a structure," Pogba told Sky Sports News.

"That makes it easier for everyone. So I would not say it is only myself. Yes, I have scored a few goals and had a few assists but it is all the team."

Pogba was the provider for Marcus Rashford's winner in a 1-0 victory at Tottenham last weekend that allowed United to close to within six points of the Premier League top four, having been 11 points adrift when Mourinho departed on December 18.

However, United were also indebted to goalkeeper David de Gea, who made 11 second-half saves at Wembley.

"It was great for us. It was great to show we are coming back and getting closer to the top," Pogba said. "We needed points and we showed that we could beat a big team.

"I wouldn't say (we had) luck because you create your own luck. David did his job and I thank him for that."

Manchester United are more willing and better prepared to attack opponents under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer than Jose Mourinho, according to midfielder Paul Pogba.

Manchester United are more willing and better prepared to attack opponents under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer than Jose Mourinho, according to midfielder Paul Pogba. The French World Cup winner's own return to form is in keeping with a rejuvenated United as a whole since the Norwegian replaced the sacked Mourinho last month. Pogba, who was dropped by Mourinho for his final three Premier League games in charge, has scored four goals and provided four assists as Solskjaer has become the first United manager to win all of his first six games. "The way we are playing we have more possession of the ball. We know more where to attack and where to go. We have more of a pattern of play and more of a structure," Pogba told Sky Sports News. "That makes it easier for everyone. So I would not say it is only myself. Yes, I have scored a few goals and had a few assists but it is all the team." Pogba was the provider for Marcus Rashford's winner in a 1-0 victory at Tottenham last weekend that allowed United to close to within six points of the Premier League top four, having been 11 points adrift when Mourinho departed on December 18. However, United were also indebted to goalkeeper David de Gea, who made 11 second-half saves at Wembley. "It was great for us. It was great to show we are coming back and getting closer to the top," Pogba said. "We needed points and we showed that we could beat a big team. "I wouldn't say (we had) luck because you create your own luck. David did his job and I thank him for that."

Solskjaer has brought structure to Manchester United: Pogba

In pics: Talking points from the Premier League weekend

David De Gea said the "real Manchester United" <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/return-of-encyclopedia-ferguson-massive-for-manchester-united-pochettino-189715">had been on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/return-of-encyclopedia-ferguson-massive-for-manchester-united-pochettino-189715">show</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/return-of-encyclopedia-ferguson-massive-for-manchester-united-pochettino-189715"> after his brilliant</a> goalkeeping display secured a 1-0 win over Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday.

The victory gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his sixth successive win in all competitions, and fifth in a row in the Premier League, as United's caretaker manager since replacing the sacked Jose Mourinho.

It also meant the former United striker had broken the record of the legendary Matt Busby, who won his first five games as the Old Trafford club's manager.

Marcus Rashford scored the only goal shortly before half-time but credit for the win belonged primarily to De Gea whose 11 saves were the most he had made in a top-flight match without conceding a goal.

But the 28-year-old played down his contribution to United's latest victory, a win that saw them draw level on points with fifth-placed Arsenal and instead praised the "happiness" Solskjaer has brought to the dressing room.

"We won the game against a top team, we controlled the first half but in the second half they had chances," De Gea told Sky Sports.

"I was feeling very well with the first two saves, it was a great game. I don't even remember some of the saves so I can't pick a best."

"The manager brought some happiness, the players are playing well and the team is very strong now." "This is the real Manchester United," he added.

Meanwhile, Rashford was in no doubt about how much De Gea had done against a Tottenham side who remained nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.

"It's a good responsibility to be the main striker but everyone has chipped in," said Rashford. "It was the keeper (who won us the game) today."

Meanwhile, Tottenham defender Ben Davies said Mauricio Pochettino's men should not be disheartened by a defeat that was largely down to De Gea's 'dream match' between the posts.

"David de Gea has pulled off three or four brilliant saves, and on another day, they go in," Davies said.

"It is disappointing but it wasn't the worst performance. The boys up front are slotting them away most weeks, but today it wasn't their day." 
&nbsp;

David De Gea said the "real Manchester United" had been on show after his brilliant goalkeeping display secured a 1-0 win over Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday. The victory gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his sixth successive win in all competitions, and fifth in a row in the Premier League, as United's caretaker manager since replacing the sacked Jose Mourinho.

David De Gea said the "real Manchester United" had been on show after his brilliant goalkeeping display secured a 1-0 win over Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday. The victory gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his sixth successive win in all competitions, and fifth in a row in the Premier League, as United's caretaker manager since replacing the sacked Jose Mourinho. It also meant the former United striker had broken the record of the legendary Matt Busby, who won his first five games as the Old Trafford club's manager. Marcus Rashford scored the only goal shortly before half-time but credit for the win belonged primarily to De Gea whose 11 saves were the most he had made in a top-flight match without conceding a goal. But the 28-year-old played down his contribution to United's latest victory, a win that saw them draw level on points with fifth-placed Arsenal and instead praised the "happiness" Solskjaer has brought to the dressing room. "We won the game against a top team, we controlled the first half but in the second half they had chances," De Gea told Sky Sports. "I was feeling very well with the first two saves, it was a great game. I don't even remember some of the saves so I can't pick a best." "The manager brought some happiness, the players are playing well and the team is very strong now." "This is the real Manchester United," he added. Meanwhile, Rashford was in no doubt about how much De Gea had done against a Tottenham side who remained nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. "It's a good responsibility to be the main striker but everyone has chipped in," said Rashford. "It was the keeper (who won us the game) today." Meanwhile, Tottenham defender Ben Davies said Mauricio Pochettino's men should not be disheartened by a defeat that was largely down to De Gea's 'dream match' between the posts. "David de Gea has pulled off three or four brilliant saves, and on another day, they go in," Davies said. "It is disappointing but it wasn't the worst performance. The boys up front are slotting them away most weeks, but today it wasn't their day."

This is the real Manchester United, says De Gea as Rashford's goal topples Tottenham Hotspur

Alex Ferguson's return to Manchester United's training ground has been massive for his old club, according to the man tipped to take over at Old Trafford next season.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose side host United interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's resurgent team at Wembley on Sunday, is a huge admirer of Ferguson -- a man the Argentine describes as an encyclopedia of football.

Ferguson reportedly gave a rousing speech to United's first-team squad after being invited back by Solskjaer recently -- his first appearance at the training ground since emergency surgery for a bleed on the brain last May.

"I think it's fantastic news because he is football," Pochettino told reporters at his news conference on Friday.

"I think to be involved again, I think for him and for Manchester sure it's a massive important thing.

"He's one of the people I admired the most. An inspiration."

The Scot, now 77, retired as United manager in May 2013 after winning 38 trophies during 26 years in charge.

Ferguson's re-appearance at the Carrington training ground has added to the feel-good factor sweeping the club in the wake of Jose Mourinho's sacking last month -- a move that instantly put Pochettino's future at Tottenham in the spotlight.

Former United and Norway striker Solskjaer has won all five of his matches in charge and Pochettino said the Ferguson effect cannot be dismissed ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash.

Massive Impact

"I think all the fans of Manchester United, and of course for the players and for the staff, to have a person (like him) involved is a massive impact," he said.

"And I think he was the best manager in the world, in the history of football. To have the possibility to see him every day is massive. It's like having the big book of Larousse (an encyclopedia), like a dictionary.

"I remember it was a treasure for me when my dad and mum gave a present to me at Christmas. It was a book where you find everything. He (Ferguson) is an encyclopaedia of football."

Pochettino said he was present on one of the greatest nights in Ferguson's 27 glittering years as United boss -- the 1999 Champions League final at Barcelona's Nou Camp when substitute Solskjaer scored a stoppage-time winner against Bayern Munich.

"I don't know how we found the tickets," said Pochettino, who was then playing for Espanyol. "We were in a very bad place and started to walk, we crossed and jumped, up, up and up, and we arrived at the President's (box) and found two seats.

"When Solskjaer scored, we were shouting, celebrating, I don't know why. Because in that moment we were neutral. But the atmosphere was amazing."

With Tottenham third in the league 10 points clear of sixth-placed United and in the title race, the days when Ferguson coule tell his players "It's only Spurs" when the sides met are over.

Much of the credit for that goes to Pochettino who has steered Spurs to fifth, third, second and third place finishes in his four seasons in charge.

Which is why Tottenham's notoriously tough chairman Daniel Levy might need to be at his most obdurate to deter any approach fort eh Argentine from United's hierarchy. Perversely, should Tottenham win on Sunday it would make Levy's task harder.

"Daniel is not an easy person to do business with," Pochettino said. "We need to give him credit because when he was first here 18 years ago it was a different club, not fighting relegation but mid-table. Certainly mid-table in terms of facilities. Now it is at the top.

"In the last few years, we have been fighting with the big sides and that is massive credit to him."

Alex Ferguson's return to Manchester United's training ground has been massive for his old club, according to the man tipped to take over at Old Trafford next season.

Alex Ferguson's return to Manchester United's training ground has been massive for his old club, according to the man tipped to take over at Old Trafford next season. Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose side host United interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's resurgent team at Wembley on Sunday, is a huge admirer of Ferguson -- a man the Argentine describes as an encyclopedia of football. Ferguson reportedly gave a rousing speech to United's first-team squad after being invited back by Solskjaer recently -- his first appearance at the training ground since emergency surgery for a bleed on the brain last May. "I think it's fantastic news because he is football," Pochettino told reporters at his news conference on Friday. "I think to be involved again, I think for him and for Manchester sure it's a massive important thing. "He's one of the people I admired the most. An inspiration." The Scot, now 77, retired as United manager in May 2013 after winning 38 trophies during 26 years in charge. Ferguson's re-appearance at the Carrington training ground has added to the feel-good factor sweeping the club in the wake of Jose Mourinho's sacking last month -- a move that instantly put Pochettino's future at Tottenham in the spotlight. Former United and Norway striker Solskjaer has won all five of his matches in charge and Pochettino said the Ferguson effect cannot be dismissed ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash. Massive Impact "I think all the fans of Manchester United, and of course for the players and for the staff, to have a person (like him) involved is a massive impact," he said. "And I think he was the best manager in the world, in the history of football. To have the possibility to see him every day is massive. It's like having the big book of Larousse (an encyclopedia), like a dictionary. "I remember it was a treasure for me when my dad and mum gave a present to me at Christmas. It was a book where you find everything. He (Ferguson) is an encyclopaedia of football." Pochettino said he was present on one of the greatest nights in Ferguson's 27 glittering years as United boss -- the 1999 Champions League final at Barcelona's Nou Camp when substitute Solskjaer scored a stoppage-time winner against Bayern Munich. "I don't know how we found the tickets," said Pochettino, who was then playing for Espanyol. "We were in a very bad place and started to walk, we crossed and jumped, up, up and up, and we arrived at the President's (box) and found two seats. "When Solskjaer scored, we were shouting, celebrating, I don't know why. Because in that moment we were neutral. But the atmosphere was amazing." With Tottenham third in the league 10 points clear of sixth-placed United and in the title race, the days when Ferguson coule tell his players "It's only Spurs" when the sides met are over. Much of the credit for that goes to Pochettino who has steered Spurs to fifth, third, second and third place finishes in his four seasons in charge. Which is why Tottenham's notoriously tough chairman Daniel Levy might need to be at his most obdurate to deter any approach fort eh Argentine from United's hierarchy. Perversely, should Tottenham win on Sunday it would make Levy's task harder. "Daniel is not an easy person to do business with," Pochettino said. "We need to give him credit because when he was first here 18 years ago it was a different club, not fighting relegation but mid-table. Certainly mid-table in terms of facilities. Now it is at the top. "In the last few years, we have been fighting with the big sides and that is massive credit to him."

Return of 'encyclopedia' Ferguson massive for Manchester United: Pochettino

Paul Pogba will be fit to return from injury for Manchester United's Premier League match at Tottenham this weekend, interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Thursday.

The France midfielder linked up late with his team-mates for a warm-weather training camp in Dubai this week after being injured in a challenge by Jonjo Shelvey during the 2-0 victory at Newcastle on January 2.

Pogba missed last Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Reading as a result of the knock, but trained well in the United Arab Emirates, according to Solskjaer.

"He looked OK towards the end, so he will be fit. He did have some problems but he came through last couple of sessions well, so he should be OK," the Norwegian said.

Solskjaer has made a perfect start as United's coach since replacing the sacked Jose Mourinho on December 19, winning each of his first five matches in charge.

The former United striker, who is on loan from Norwegian club Molde until the end of the season, has made clear since his return to Old Trafford he would love the manager's job on a permanent basis.

However, his opponent on Sunday, Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino, is believed by many observers to be the likeliest person to get the United job.

Solskjaer praised the Argentinian and justified the reports.

"He has done a very good job. That speculation is there for a reason -– because he has done well -– but it's not my job to rate managers. My focus is on me and my team."

Tottenham test

The interim boss, though, has rejected the idea that this match represents his first serious challenge in charge of United, following wins over Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Reading.

"We've had tests. Newcastle away is a test and the first game was a test as to how everyone reacted. The first home game with the crowd is a test," he said.

"We are not going to get as many chances to attack against these as we had before so when we have the ball we have to be ready to play well with it and we have to use the whole pitch because Wembley is a decent size pitch as well," he added.

One of United's biggest test will be containing the threat of Tottenham striker Harry Kane, the joint-leading scorer in this season's Premier League, with 14 goals.

"He's not bad is he? He is a fantastic goal scorer and one of the best in the world, but I have got a couple that I'm happy to work with," Solskjaer said

"He is a top professional. Sure, whoever plays with him and trains with him can talk more about him, but from the outside he is a fantastic finisher," the 1999 treble winner said.

Solskjaer, meanwhile, revealed defender Marcos Rojo has returned to his native Argentina as he continues to recover from a leg injury that has kept him out for a month.

"He has gone back to Argentina for a while because of his injury. How long will he be out for? How long is a piece of rope? For him it was mentally important to go away and come back fresh again."

Paul Pogba will be fit to return from injury for Manchester United's Premier League match at Tottenham this weekend, interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Thursday.

Paul Pogba will be fit to return from injury for Manchester United's Premier League match at Tottenham this weekend, interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Thursday. The France midfielder linked up late with his team-mates for a warm-weather training camp in Dubai this week after being injured in a challenge by Jonjo Shelvey during the 2-0 victory at Newcastle on January 2. Pogba missed last Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Reading as a result of the knock, but trained well in the United Arab Emirates, according to Solskjaer. "He looked OK towards the end, so he will be fit. He did have some problems but he came through last couple of sessions well, so he should be OK," the Norwegian said. Solskjaer has made a perfect start as United's coach since replacing the sacked Jose Mourinho on December 19, winning each of his first five matches in charge. The former United striker, who is on loan from Norwegian club Molde until the end of the season, has made clear since his return to Old Trafford he would love the manager's job on a permanent basis. However, his opponent on Sunday, Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino, is believed by many observers to be the likeliest person to get the United job. Solskjaer praised the Argentinian and justified the reports. "He has done a very good job. That speculation is there for a reason -– because he has done well -– but it's not my job to rate managers. My focus is on me and my team." Tottenham test The interim boss, though, has rejected the idea that this match represents his first serious challenge in charge of United, following wins over Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Reading. "We've had tests. Newcastle away is a test and the first game was a test as to how everyone reacted. The first home game with the crowd is a test," he said. "We are not going to get as many chances to attack against these as we had before so when we have the ball we have to be ready to play well with it and we have to use the whole pitch because Wembley is a decent size pitch as well," he added. One of United's biggest test will be containing the threat of Tottenham striker Harry Kane, the joint-leading scorer in this season's Premier League, with 14 goals. "He's not bad is he? He is a fantastic goal scorer and one of the best in the world, but I have got a couple that I'm happy to work with," Solskjaer said "He is a top professional. Sure, whoever plays with him and trains with him can talk more about him, but from the outside he is a fantastic finisher," the 1999 treble winner said. Solskjaer, meanwhile, revealed defender Marcos Rojo has returned to his native Argentina as he continues to recover from a leg injury that has kept him out for a month. "He has gone back to Argentina for a while because of his injury. How long will he be out for? How long is a piece of rope? For him it was mentally important to go away and come back fresh again."

Paul Pogba returns as Solskjaer eyes Manchester United job boost over rival Pochettino

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested he will be judged on playing style rather than trophies if he is to land the Manchester United manager's job on a full-time basis.

Solskjaer, appointed as interim boss last month to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho, has made clear that he would love to stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of this season, when his temporary arrangement is set to expire.

The former United striker, on a managerial loan from Norwegian club Molde, has not spoken to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about a longer stay.

However, he feels that the key to being seen as a success is to return to the attractive, attacking football that the club played for much of Alex Ferguson's near 27-year reign as manager.

Ferguson won 38 trophies before retiring in 2013 but his United team were also renowned for their positive football, which many fans felt went missing in the final year of Mourinho's reign.

Solskjaer, when asked what would constitute success and improve his chances of getting the job permanently, said: "If we get to the summer and people are talking about the way Manchester United are playing.

"If the style we're playing, it reminds us of Sir Alex's team, if it reminds us of the successful times."

Solskjaer said he is keen to win trophies this season but suggested that the style, for now, was more important.

"It has to start with the way we play because results you cannot control," he said. "You can control how you approach the game and how you play.

Trophy hunt

"And of course, it's about trophies -- if you can get to the final of the FA Cup and get a trophy. Let's see in May if it's a success or not."

Solskjaer has won his first four matches at the helm, including a 2-0 victory at Newcastle on Wednesday, and hopes to extend that run when Championship strugglers Reading visit Old Trafford in the FA Cup on Saturday.

However, he expects there to be setbacks as he attempts to improve United's Premier League position from sixth over the second half of the season.

"When you win games of football, you're happy," he said. "There will be tougher times coming, there will be tougher games coming up, we know that.

"I thought the Newcastle game was a great example of us not just getting the first goal and sitting back to counter. We had to work for it and defend."

One of Solskjaer's priorities is to improve the players' fitness, something he plans to work on when he takes his squad to Dubai for a warm-weather training break after the Reading match.

The former United striker said that high-intensity fitness training was a key part of United's success under Ferguson, allowing them to build momentum late in the season when chasing trophies.

"We can get fitter and we have to do that through the training sessions here but Dubai is a good chance because now is the first time we get a week of work together," he said.

"I still have pictures in my mind every January, the gaffer (Ferguson) with the stopwatch timing us -- all of those runs," he added.

"That stood us in good stead towards the end of the season, so it is a time to work hard. Even though we've got plenty of games, we need to work."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested he will be judged on playing style rather than trophies if he is to land the Manchester United manager's job on a full-time basis.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested he will be judged on playing style rather than trophies if he is to land the Manchester United manager's job on a full-time basis. Solskjaer, appointed as interim boss last month to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho, has made clear that he would love to stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of this season, when his temporary arrangement is set to expire. The former United striker, on a managerial loan from Norwegian club Molde, has not spoken to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about a longer stay. However, he feels that the key to being seen as a success is to return to the attractive, attacking football that the club played for much of Alex Ferguson's near 27-year reign as manager. Ferguson won 38 trophies before retiring in 2013 but his United team were also renowned for their positive football, which many fans felt went missing in the final year of Mourinho's reign. Solskjaer, when asked what would constitute success and improve his chances of getting the job permanently, said: "If we get to the summer and people are talking about the way Manchester United are playing. "If the style we're playing, it reminds us of Sir Alex's team, if it reminds us of the successful times." Solskjaer said he is keen to win trophies this season but suggested that the style, for now, was more important. "It has to start with the way we play because results you cannot control," he said. "You can control how you approach the game and how you play. Trophy hunt "And of course, it's about trophies -- if you can get to the final of the FA Cup and get a trophy. Let's see in May if it's a success or not." Solskjaer has won his first four matches at the helm, including a 2-0 victory at Newcastle on Wednesday, and hopes to extend that run when Championship strugglers Reading visit Old Trafford in the FA Cup on Saturday. However, he expects there to be setbacks as he attempts to improve United's Premier League position from sixth over the second half of the season. "When you win games of football, you're happy," he said. "There will be tougher times coming, there will be tougher games coming up, we know that. "I thought the Newcastle game was a great example of us not just getting the first goal and sitting back to counter. We had to work for it and defend." One of Solskjaer's priorities is to improve the players' fitness, something he plans to work on when he takes his squad to Dubai for a warm-weather training break after the Reading match. The former United striker said that high-intensity fitness training was a key part of United's success under Ferguson, allowing them to build momentum late in the season when chasing trophies. "We can get fitter and we have to do that through the training sessions here but Dubai is a good chance because now is the first time we get a week of work together," he said. "I still have pictures in my mind every January, the gaffer (Ferguson) with the stopwatch timing us -- all of those runs," he added. "That stood us in good stead towards the end of the season, so it is a time to work hard. Even though we've got plenty of games, we need to work."

Solskjaer says he will be judged on style at Manchester United

The re-born Paul Pogba scored twice, for the second time since Jose Mourinho's departure from the club, as Manchester United beat Bournemouth 4-1 to make it three wins in a row for caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

After emphatic wins over Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town, the manner of the victory was further evidence of the return of attacking football under Solskjaer and of the liberated way in which the players are performing.

None seem to be relishing their football again more than World Cup winner Pogba, who has netted four of the 12 goals that rejuvenated United have scored in the three matches since their former Norwegian striker took the reins.

It took Pogba just five minutes to strike for sixth-placed United, sliding the ball in at the back post after a wonderful piece of dribbling and a precise low cross from Marcus Rashford.

The Frenchman, who scored twice against Huddersfield Town on Boxing Day, then burst into the box to head home an Ander Herrera cross from deep to make it 2-0.

"It is different, we still won games with the old manager but it is just a different style of playing," said Pogba.

"We are more offensive and we are creating more chances and that is how we want to play. I always want to do more, but I want to play for the team and play simple."

Not only was Pogba appearing in more advanced positions but he looked back to his confident self on the ball, strutting while in possession and constantly looking to create.

There was real class about United's third, in the 45th minute, as Anthony Martial delivered a low cross with the outside of his boot and Rashford guided it home off the outside of his outstretched foot.

Bournemouth pulled a goal back in stoppage-time at the end of the first half though when David Brooks skipped around the United defence and placed a cross on the head of Nathan Ake who nodded past David De Gea.

Romelu Lukaku made it 4-1, two minutes after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute, latching on to a Pogba through ball and hooking the ball past the advancing Asmir Begovic.

Pogba was inches away from a hat-trick with a low drive from 20 yards out that struck the post.

The relaxed and positive mood was slightly undone by a wild lunge in the 79th minute from United defender Eric Bailly on Ryan Fraser, with the Ivorian rightly being shown a straight red card.

"In the first half we attacked the game with a high tempo and high energy but the response to their goal was great. We managed the game much better than against Huddersfield," said Solskjaer.

"We are still looking for a clean sheet - you can't switch off for one second in this league.

"It's a very very good performance, the crowd was enjoying it but now Newcastle, the next one, is a different kind of test."

The re-born Paul Pogba scored twice, for the second time since Jose Mourinho's departure from the club, as Manchester United beat Bournemouth 4-1 to make it three wins in a row for caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The re-born Paul Pogba scored twice, for the second time since Jose Mourinho's departure from the club, as Manchester United beat Bournemouth 4-1 to make it three wins in a row for caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. After emphatic wins over Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town, the manner of the victory was further evidence of the return of attacking football under Solskjaer and of the liberated way in which the players are performing. None seem to be relishing their football again more than World Cup winner Pogba, who has netted four of the 12 goals that rejuvenated United have scored in the three matches since their former Norwegian striker took the reins. It took Pogba just five minutes to strike for sixth-placed United, sliding the ball in at the back post after a wonderful piece of dribbling and a precise low cross from Marcus Rashford. The Frenchman, who scored twice against Huddersfield Town on Boxing Day, then burst into the box to head home an Ander Herrera cross from deep to make it 2-0. "It is different, we still won games with the old manager but it is just a different style of playing," said Pogba. "We are more offensive and we are creating more chances and that is how we want to play. I always want to do more, but I want to play for the team and play simple." Not only was Pogba appearing in more advanced positions but he looked back to his confident self on the ball, strutting while in possession and constantly looking to create. There was real class about United's third, in the 45th minute, as Anthony Martial delivered a low cross with the outside of his boot and Rashford guided it home off the outside of his outstretched foot. Bournemouth pulled a goal back in stoppage-time at the end of the first half though when David Brooks skipped around the United defence and placed a cross on the head of Nathan Ake who nodded past David De Gea. Romelu Lukaku made it 4-1, two minutes after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute, latching on to a Pogba through ball and hooking the ball past the advancing Asmir Begovic. Pogba was inches away from a hat-trick with a low drive from 20 yards out that struck the post. The relaxed and positive mood was slightly undone by a wild lunge in the 79th minute from United defender Eric Bailly on Ryan Fraser, with the Ivorian rightly being shown a straight red card. "In the first half we attacked the game with a high tempo and high energy but the response to their goal was great. We managed the game much better than against Huddersfield," said Solskjaer. "We are still looking for a clean sheet - you can't switch off for one second in this league. "It's a very very good performance, the crowd was enjoying it but now Newcastle, the next one, is a different kind of test."

Paul Pogba doubles again as Solskjaer extends perfect start

Manchester City showed they are willing to accept the challenge of Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title with a 3-1 win away to Southampton on Sunday.

Following shock defeats by Crystal Palace and Leicester, reigning champions City cut the gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Liverpool to seven points ahead of their meeting with the Merseysiders at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.

But they allowed a limited Southampton side back into the game after a dominating start, which suggests there are still frailties for Liverpool to exploit.

David Silva put City ahead after 10 minutes but they passed up a number of chances to add to the lead and gifted Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg an equaliser in the 37th minute.

For a period, Pep Guardiola's side looked fragile, but a James Ward-Prowse own-goal and a header by Sergio Aguero just before half-time restored their confidence.&nbsp;

Saints' frustrations boiled over with a red card for Hojbjerg after a wild challenge on Fernandinho late in the game.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl sprang a surprise in his team selection by giving a debut to 18-year-old former Chelsea starlet Kayne Ramsay at right-back.

City should have gone ahead in the fifth minute when Jack Stephens allowed Raheem Sterling to steal possession and set up David Silva.&nbsp;

But the City man tried to be too deliberate, with his shot blocked by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

But Saints could also have taken a more surprising lead after eight minutes when Mohamed Elyounoussi's clever flick over the City defence sent Charlie Austin clear.

Austin's first touch, however,&nbsp;was dreadful and sent the ball into Ederson's grateful arms.

Instead of being a goal up, the home side were behind within a minute.

The left side of their defence was opened up with ease by a simple one-two, leaving Bernardo Silva clear of full-back Matt Targett and free to advance down the right. He had all the time he wanted to pick out the unmarked David Silva, who hit the ball first-time past McCarthy.&nbsp;

Riyad Mahrez then shot wide after a move that began with City playing a series of passes inside their own penalty area.&nbsp;

And Aguero squandered an excellent chance in the 25th minute, hitting his shot against McCarthy after Sterling had accelerated past the hapless Targett.

But overplaying at the other end almost proved City's undoing.

Ederson was nearly caught by Austin before dribbling round the striker. But he showed a mastery of the more conventional goalkeeping arts on the half-hour with a diving save to keep out Austin's glancing header from a corner by Ward-Prowse.

City did not heed the warning and Saints were level after 36 minutes.&nbsp;

Oleksandr Zinchenko was slow to see Hojbjerg closing in on him and the Southampton captain robbed the Ukraine defender and strode forward before lashing the ball in from 15 yards.

City double stuns Saints

Zinchenko could count himself lucky that referee Paul Tierney did not see his barge on Ward-Prowse after 44 minutes as a penalty.&nbsp;

And the home crowd were still complaining about that decision when City retook the lead on the stroke of half-time.&nbsp;

Sterling forced his way down the left and fired in a low cross that hit the foot of Ward-Prowse and zipped between the surprised McCarthy and his near post.

And the crowd's disbelief was complete three minutes into first-half stoppage time when Aguero rose unchallenged by Jan Bednarek to nod Zinchenko's cross under McCarthy.

In the second half both sides went through the motions. City had the points they needed and Southampton were happy to avoid further damage to their confidence and goal difference. But even then City could have had three or four more goals.

Sterling shot straight at McCarthy, Aguero hit the angle of the post and crossbar, and Mahrez blasted straight at the goalkeeper.

Frustration got the better of Hojbjerg, who launched into a scissors-style challenge on Fernandinho and was rightly sent off.

Manchester City showed they are willing to accept the challenge of Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title with a 3-1 win away to Southampton on Sunday.

Manchester City showed they are willing to accept the challenge of Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title with a 3-1 win away to Southampton on Sunday. Following shock defeats by Crystal Palace and Leicester, reigning champions City cut the gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Liverpool to seven points ahead of their meeting with the Merseysiders at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday. But they allowed a limited Southampton side back into the game after a dominating start, which suggests there are still frailties for Liverpool to exploit. David Silva put City ahead after 10 minutes but they passed up a number of chances to add to the lead and gifted Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg an equaliser in the 37th minute. For a period, Pep Guardiola's side looked fragile, but a James Ward-Prowse own-goal and a header by Sergio Aguero just before half-time restored their confidence. Saints' frustrations boiled over with a red card for Hojbjerg after a wild challenge on Fernandinho late in the game. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl sprang a surprise in his team selection by giving a debut to 18-year-old former Chelsea starlet Kayne Ramsay at right-back. City should have gone ahead in the fifth minute when Jack Stephens allowed Raheem Sterling to steal possession and set up David Silva. But the City man tried to be too deliberate, with his shot blocked by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. But Saints could also have taken a more surprising lead after eight minutes when Mohamed Elyounoussi's clever flick over the City defence sent Charlie Austin clear. Austin's first touch, however, was dreadful and sent the ball into Ederson's grateful arms. Instead of being a goal up, the home side were behind within a minute. The left side of their defence was opened up with ease by a simple one-two, leaving Bernardo Silva clear of full-back Matt Targett and free to advance down the right. He had all the time he wanted to pick out the unmarked David Silva, who hit the ball first-time past McCarthy. Riyad Mahrez then shot wide after a move that began with City playing a series of passes inside their own penalty area. And Aguero squandered an excellent chance in the 25th minute, hitting his shot against McCarthy after Sterling had accelerated past the hapless Targett. But overplaying at the other end almost proved City's undoing. Ederson was nearly caught by Austin before dribbling round the striker. But he showed a mastery of the more conventional goalkeeping arts on the half-hour with a diving save to keep out Austin's glancing header from a corner by Ward-Prowse. City did not heed the warning and Saints were level after 36 minutes. Oleksandr Zinchenko was slow to see Hojbjerg closing in on him and the Southampton captain robbed the Ukraine defender and strode forward before lashing the ball in from 15 yards. City double stuns Saints Zinchenko could count himself lucky that referee Paul Tierney did not see his barge on Ward-Prowse after 44 minutes as a penalty. And the home crowd were still complaining about that decision when City retook the lead on the stroke of half-time. Sterling forced his way down the left and fired in a low cross that hit the foot of Ward-Prowse and zipped between the surprised McCarthy and his near post. And the crowd's disbelief was complete three minutes into first-half stoppage time when Aguero rose unchallenged by Jan Bednarek to nod Zinchenko's cross under McCarthy. In the second half both sides went through the motions. City had the points they needed and Southampton were happy to avoid further damage to their confidence and goal difference. But even then City could have had three or four more goals. Sterling shot straight at McCarthy, Aguero hit the angle of the post and crossbar, and Mahrez blasted straight at the goalkeeper. Frustration got the better of Hojbjerg, who launched into a scissors-style challenge on Fernandinho and was rightly sent off.

Manchester City stop the rot against Southampton

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued his dream start as Manchester United caretaker manager with a 3-1 Premier League win over Huddersfield on his Old Trafford debut in the dugout on Wednesday.

Paul Pogba scored two superb goals in the second half after Nemanja Matic fired United ahead in the 28th minute to continue United's revival under their former striker Solskjaer, who hit the ground running in Saturday's 5-1 win at Cardiff City.

Solskjaer, who won six Premier League titles and the 1999 Champions League with United, when he scored a famous stoppage-time winner against Bayern Munich in the final, praised the fans and said he was still finding his feet as United's manager.

"I’ve not got used to it yet," the 45-year old Norwegian told the BBC.

"It’s humbling knowing I’m leading this team out. Let’s see if I get used to it. I captained a couple of games but this was very different.

"They are the best fans in the world. I had such a great relationship with them. It was probably more emotional for my family in my box as I was focused on the game.

The result left United sixth on 32 points from 19 games halfway through their campaign while Huddersfield stayed rooted to the bottom with 10 points after suffering their sixth successive league defeat.

Serbian enforcer Matic swept in a rebound from two metres after visiting keeper Jonas Lossl parried a glancing Victor Lindelof header from a corner to fire United ahead after the home side had suffered an early scare.

Defender Terence Kongolo blazed his 10th-minute shot over the bar for Huddersfield but United never looked back after taking the lead and their incessant pressure produced two sublime Pogba strikes after the break.

United goalkeeper David De Gea denied striker Laurent Depoitre with an excellent save shortly after the break before Pogba made it 2-0 with a fierce low drive from 13 metres to cap a flowing 64th-minute move.

The France World Cup winner, who often flattered to deceive under former manager Jose Mourinho, again showed his class in the 78th when he beat Lossl with a rasping shot from 25 metres which gave the Danish keeper no chance.

Huddersfield, who showed some promising intent in the second half, earned a late consolation as defender Mathias Jorgensen stabbed the ball home from close range but his effort could not dampen a festive mood among the roaring home crowd.

Matic pointed out there was an instant change of atmosphere after Solskjaer replaced Mourinho following United's 3-1 defeat at bitter rivals Liverpool.

"After Cardiff, we gained more confidence," he said. "It was important to win at our stadium, to bring a smile on the face of our supporters.

"It's a completely different atmosphere when you win games. This club doesn't accept drawing or losing a game. This is the way we have to try to win the next one."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued his dream start as Manchester United caretaker manager with a 3-1 Premier League win over Huddersfield on his Old Trafford debut in the dugout on Wednesday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued his dream start as Manchester United caretaker manager with a 3-1 Premier League win over Huddersfield on his Old Trafford debut in the dugout on Wednesday. Paul Pogba scored two superb goals in the second half after Nemanja Matic fired United ahead in the 28th minute to continue United's revival under their former striker Solskjaer, who hit the ground running in Saturday's 5-1 win at Cardiff City. Solskjaer, who won six Premier League titles and the 1999 Champions League with United, when he scored a famous stoppage-time winner against Bayern Munich in the final, praised the fans and said he was still finding his feet as United's manager. "I’ve not got used to it yet," the 45-year old Norwegian told the BBC. "It’s humbling knowing I’m leading this team out. Let’s see if I get used to it. I captained a couple of games but this was very different. "They are the best fans in the world. I had such a great relationship with them. It was probably more emotional for my family in my box as I was focused on the game. The result left United sixth on 32 points from 19 games halfway through their campaign while Huddersfield stayed rooted to the bottom with 10 points after suffering their sixth successive league defeat. Serbian enforcer Matic swept in a rebound from two metres after visiting keeper Jonas Lossl parried a glancing Victor Lindelof header from a corner to fire United ahead after the home side had suffered an early scare. Defender Terence Kongolo blazed his 10th-minute shot over the bar for Huddersfield but United never looked back after taking the lead and their incessant pressure produced two sublime Pogba strikes after the break. United goalkeeper David De Gea denied striker Laurent Depoitre with an excellent save shortly after the break before Pogba made it 2-0 with a fierce low drive from 13 metres to cap a flowing 64th-minute move. The France World Cup winner, who often flattered to deceive under former manager Jose Mourinho, again showed his class in the 78th when he beat Lossl with a rasping shot from 25 metres which gave the Danish keeper no chance. Huddersfield, who showed some promising intent in the second half, earned a late consolation as defender Mathias Jorgensen stabbed the ball home from close range but his effort could not dampen a festive mood among the roaring home crowd. Matic pointed out there was an instant change of atmosphere after Solskjaer replaced Mourinho following United's 3-1 defeat at bitter rivals Liverpool. "After Cardiff, we gained more confidence," he said. "It was important to win at our stadium, to bring a smile on the face of our supporters. "It's a completely different atmosphere when you win games. This club doesn't accept drawing or losing a game. This is the way we have to try to win the next one."

Manchester United give Solskjaer winning Old Trafford debut

Manchester United interim coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects his players to relish the opportunity of playing at Old Trafford after scoring five goals in a Premier League match for the first time in five years.

Solskjaer's caretaker spell until the end of the season got off to an ideal start with a 5-1 win at Cardiff City on Saturday but United still remain eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the table.

United have recorded only four wins in eight home league games this season, and Solskjaer has urged his players to step up to the plate when they host Huddersfield Town on Wednesday.

"I think the boys are looking forward to playing at Old Trafford and that's important," Solskjaer, who replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho last week, told reporters.

"It's not like they were outperforming themselves (at Cardiff). We'll evaluate, look at a few clips and as I said earlier we can do better, we can understand each other better."

United players, who appeared shackled by the pragmatic approach under Mourinho, enjoyed greater creative freedom at Cardiff as they netted five goals in a league match for the first time since Alex Ferguson's last game in charge in 2013.

Solskjaer, who won six Premier League titles under Ferguson, said it was critical his players respected the club's traditions by sticking to an attacking style of play.

"They've not said anything about any handbrake but we spoke today in the team meeting about how when we get one (goal), we want to get two. When we get two, we want to get three," Solskjaer added.

"The attacking philosophy is in the walls of Man United. That's tradition, that's history, that's how we want to play. This was a good reflection of what we want."

Manchester United interim coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects his players to relish the opportunity of playing at Old Trafford after scoring five goals in a Premier League match for the first time in five years.

Manchester United interim coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects his players to relish the opportunity of playing at Old Trafford after scoring five goals in a Premier League match for the first time in five years. Solskjaer's caretaker spell until the end of the season got off to an ideal start with a 5-1 win at Cardiff City on Saturday but United still remain eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the table. United have recorded only four wins in eight home league games this season, and Solskjaer has urged his players to step up to the plate when they host Huddersfield Town on Wednesday. "I think the boys are looking forward to playing at Old Trafford and that's important," Solskjaer, who replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho last week, told reporters. "It's not like they were outperforming themselves (at Cardiff). We'll evaluate, look at a few clips and as I said earlier we can do better, we can understand each other better." United players, who appeared shackled by the pragmatic approach under Mourinho, enjoyed greater creative freedom at Cardiff as they netted five goals in a league match for the first time since Alex Ferguson's last game in charge in 2013. Solskjaer, who won six Premier League titles under Ferguson, said it was critical his players respected the club's traditions by sticking to an attacking style of play. "They've not said anything about any handbrake but we spoke today in the team meeting about how when we get one (goal), we want to get two. When we get two, we want to get three," Solskjaer added. "The attacking philosophy is in the walls of Man United. That's tradition, that's history, that's how we want to play. This was a good reflection of what we want."

Man United must relish Old Trafford, says coach Solskjaer

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha on Monday said that Zinedine Zidane will be the best choice to replace Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

United are on the hunt for a permanent replacement for manager Mourinho, who was sacked by the Premier League giants last week.&nbsp;

For the time being, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped in on a caretaker basis until the end of the season.&nbsp;

Zidane – who led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles before leaving the LaLiga side ahead of the 2018-19 season – has also been linked.

In an interview, Saha backed former France teammate Zidane.&nbsp;

"For me, I am a supporter of Zidane in relation to the man," Saha said. "He was an exceptional player, the coach, there is no equivalent.

"In communication, he has made a lot of progress. When I hear him talking, it's incredible. He breathes football, he is a passionate person, who has all the qualities to be respected. He knows how to balance attack and defence. At Real Madrid, he had three offensive monsters, and he has to make the link with the defence. It's huge," he added.

"For me it's the best choice for United. I think he will have the support of the supporters, the staff, the president because he deserves it. And we're going to give him time," he concluded.&nbsp;

Solskjaer led United to a 5-1 rout of Cardiff City on Saturday to remain sixth but only eight points adrift of the Champions League places ahead of their Boxing Day meeting at home to Huddersfield Town.

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha on Monday said that Zinedine Zidane will be the best choice to replace Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford. United are on the hunt for a permanent replacement for manager Mourinho, who was sacked by the Premier League giants last week.

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha on Monday said that Zinedine Zidane will be the best choice to replace Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford. United are on the hunt for a permanent replacement for manager Mourinho, who was sacked by the Premier League giants last week. For the time being, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped in on a caretaker basis until the end of the season. Zidane – who led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles before leaving the LaLiga side ahead of the 2018-19 season – has also been linked. In an interview, Saha backed former France teammate Zidane. "For me, I am a supporter of Zidane in relation to the man," Saha said. "He was an exceptional player, the coach, there is no equivalent. "In communication, he has made a lot of progress. When I hear him talking, it's incredible. He breathes football, he is a passionate person, who has all the qualities to be respected. He knows how to balance attack and defence. At Real Madrid, he had three offensive monsters, and he has to make the link with the defence. It's huge," he added. "For me it's the best choice for United. I think he will have the support of the supporters, the staff, the president because he deserves it. And we're going to give him time," he concluded. Solskjaer led United to a 5-1 rout of Cardiff City on Saturday to remain sixth but only eight points adrift of the Champions League places ahead of their Boxing Day meeting at home to Huddersfield Town.

Zinedine Zidane best choice for Manchester United, believes former striker Saha

Manchester United interim coach <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ole-gunnar-solskjaer-wants-manchester-united-job-on-permanent-basis-185699">Ole Gunnar Solskjaer</a> is confident his side can make up the gap with the top four in the Premier League, drawing on his own experience in a side where he used to come to the rescue off the bench late on.

The Norwegian enjoyed a dream start as caretaker boss after succeeding the sacked Jose Mourinho this week as United thrashed his former club Cardiff City 5-1 on Saturday.

The result, coupled with defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea, means that United sit eight points off the top four in sixth.

While the gloom under Mourinho this season meant United were drifting out of contention for a Champions League place, their emphatic win in Wales has started to bring them back in.

"We take one game at a time now. We've caught up eight or nine points before but we've got to go one step at a time," said Solskjaer, who memorably came off the bench to score a late winner for United in the 1999 Champions League final.

"I was proud and humble at the reception from the fans, it has been an emotional week. But it's a start and we move on."

Mourinho's tenure was latterly dominated by rows with midfielder Paul Pogba, who arrived from Juventus for a club-record 89 million pounds ($112.6 million) in 2016.

The mercurial Frenchman had been left out of the starting lineup in the Portuguese's final games but was restored to the centre of the pitch by Solskjaer and repaid his new manager's faith by creating two of the goals in a dominant performance.

"I think he (Pogba) brings what he can, he’s a quality player," Solskjaer said.

"But that’s the same with all of them. I’ve worked with Paul before and enjoyed the two days we’ve had and will enjoy working with him and the rest of them in the next four or five months."

With United hitting five goals for the first time since Alex Ferguson's last game in charge, a 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion in May 2013, supporters will be excited to see what the players can do at Old Trafford against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday.

Solskjaer, however, was keeping his feet on the ground.

"It’s a great start and we are going to enjoy the next couple of days but Boxing Day is coming and nothing in history is quicker than a football game, so there are still things to work on but they (the squad) grasped some of the ideas very quickly," he added.

"We’ll take it one game at a time but I’ll enjoy tonight."

Manchester United interim coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident his side can make up the gap with the top four in the Premier League, drawing on his own experience in a side where he used to come to the rescue off the bench late on.

Manchester United interim coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident his side can make up the gap with the top four in the Premier League, drawing on his own experience in a side where he used to come to the rescue off the bench late on. The Norwegian enjoyed a dream start as caretaker boss after succeeding the sacked Jose Mourinho this week as United thrashed his former club Cardiff City 5-1 on Saturday. The result, coupled with defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea, means that United sit eight points off the top four in sixth. While the gloom under Mourinho this season meant United were drifting out of contention for a Champions League place, their emphatic win in Wales has started to bring them back in. "We take one game at a time now. We've caught up eight or nine points before but we've got to go one step at a time," said Solskjaer, who memorably came off the bench to score a late winner for United in the 1999 Champions League final. "I was proud and humble at the reception from the fans, it has been an emotional week. But it's a start and we move on." Mourinho's tenure was latterly dominated by rows with midfielder Paul Pogba, who arrived from Juventus for a club-record 89 million pounds ($112.6 million) in 2016. The mercurial Frenchman had been left out of the starting lineup in the Portuguese's final games but was restored to the centre of the pitch by Solskjaer and repaid his new manager's faith by creating two of the goals in a dominant performance. "I think he (Pogba) brings what he can, he’s a quality player," Solskjaer said. "But that’s the same with all of them. I’ve worked with Paul before and enjoyed the two days we’ve had and will enjoy working with him and the rest of them in the next four or five months." With United hitting five goals for the first time since Alex Ferguson's last game in charge, a 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion in May 2013, supporters will be excited to see what the players can do at Old Trafford against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday. Solskjaer, however, was keeping his feet on the ground. "It’s a great start and we are going to enjoy the next couple of days but Boxing Day is coming and nothing in history is quicker than a football game, so there are still things to work on but they (the squad) grasped some of the ideas very quickly," he added. "We’ll take it one game at a time but I’ll enjoy tonight."

Solskjaer confident Man United can make up the gap with top four in Premier League

Manchester City stumbled to the most unexpected defeat of the Premier League season on Saturday before neighbours Manchester United began their brave new world under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a glorious reminder of long-forgotten attacking swagger.

After City's sensational 3-2 reverse against Crystal Palace at their Etihad fortress, United seemed liberated and re-energised after Jose Mourinho's midweek sacking as they romped to a 5-1 win at Cardiff City -- the first time they have hit five in the league since the final match of the golden Alex Ferguson era in 2013.

A remarkable 30-metre thunderbolt from Andros Townsend adorned Palace's comeback from a goal down in the rain as Pep Guardiola's champions City saw their 100 per cent league home record this season shattered.

So, what recently looked like an imperious title defence now looks problematic as City lie four points behind leaders Liverpool, who had thrown down the gauntlet with a 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.

There was more good news for the Reds as fourth-placed Chelsea also squandered their unbeaten home record with a 1-0 defeat by Leicester City.

Arsenal kept up their pursuit in fifth, thanks to a double from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a 3-1 home win over Burnley that put the Gabonese striker top of the league's goalscoring charts.

After 18 matches, Liverpool are now the only unbeaten side left in England's top four divisions on 48 points, with City on 44 and Tottenham Hotspur, who visit Everton on Sunday, third on 39. Chelsea and Arsenal both have 37, while United are on 29.

On a remarkable, rain-sodden afternoon at the Etihad, Manchester City, who had lost their season's unbeaten record at Chelsea two weeks ago, seemed predictably dominant when striding into a first-half lead through Ilkay Gundogan.

But Palace responded quickly with a Jeffrey Schlupp strike and three minutes later a wondrous volley from 30 metres from the mercurial England international Townsend, an early contender for goal of the season.

Luka Milivojevic put the visitors further clear with a penalty after the break before Palace survived a late onslaught that saw Kevin De Bruyne score five minutes from time.

"It's complicated but we fight until the last second. We are in December and we will try and recover and try and win games again," shrugged Guardiola, conceding that his side needed to "recover mentally and recover physicality".

UNITED REBORN

In stark contrast, after a traumatic week which saw the end of Mourinho's two-and-a-half-year reign, Manchester United seemed mentally and physically re-born, playing with verve, pace and attacking intent that reflected the smile of their still fresh-faced caretaker boss and old club hero, Solskjaer.

He was beaming after three minutes when Marcus Rashford's free-kick put United ahead and further goals before halftime from Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial -- after a dazzling passing interchange -- and a second-half double from Jesse Lingard made it a perfect start for the Norwegian.

United, with Paul Pogba back in the fold, poured forward in a free-spirited manner rarely seen under Mourinho as Solskjaer lifted the gloom of United's worst start in 28 years.

"Football is easy if you have good players. This is such a great group of players. The quality is just unbelievable," the modest Solskjaer said, as both his team and ex-United players, headed by Wayne Rooney, all praised the instant 'Ole effect'.

Chelsea's loss at Stamford Bridge seemed almost as unlikely as Manchester City's with Leicester facing the prospect of a third straight defeat but Jamie Vardy's first-time finish soon after the break brought much-needed relief for the Foxes' manager Claude Puel.

At the Emirates Stadium, the predatory Aubameyang took his tally of league goals to 12 with his double in the win over Burnley, one more than Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

Fulham earned a goalless draw at Newcastle United but remained bottom of the table on 10 points alongside Huddersfield Town, who were beaten 3-1 by a Southampton side that look rejuvenated under new Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuettl.

Watford moved into seventh place with a 2-0 win at West Ham United, thanks to goals from Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu.

Manchester City stumbled to the most unexpected defeat of the Premier League season on Saturday before neighbours Manchester United began their brave new world under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a glorious reminder of long-forgotten attacking swagger.

Manchester City stumbled to the most unexpected defeat of the Premier League season on Saturday before neighbours Manchester United began their brave new world under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a glorious reminder of long-forgotten attacking swagger. After City's sensational 3-2 reverse against Crystal Palace at their Etihad fortress, United seemed liberated and re-energised after Jose Mourinho's midweek sacking as they romped to a 5-1 win at Cardiff City -- the first time they have hit five in the league since the final match of the golden Alex Ferguson era in 2013. A remarkable 30-metre thunderbolt from Andros Townsend adorned Palace's comeback from a goal down in the rain as Pep Guardiola's champions City saw their 100 per cent league home record this season shattered. So, what recently looked like an imperious title defence now looks problematic as City lie four points behind leaders Liverpool, who had thrown down the gauntlet with a 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday. There was more good news for the Reds as fourth-placed Chelsea also squandered their unbeaten home record with a 1-0 defeat by Leicester City. Arsenal kept up their pursuit in fifth, thanks to a double from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a 3-1 home win over Burnley that put the Gabonese striker top of the league's goalscoring charts. After 18 matches, Liverpool are now the only unbeaten side left in England's top four divisions on 48 points, with City on 44 and Tottenham Hotspur, who visit Everton on Sunday, third on 39. Chelsea and Arsenal both have 37, while United are on 29. On a remarkable, rain-sodden afternoon at the Etihad, Manchester City, who had lost their season's unbeaten record at Chelsea two weeks ago, seemed predictably dominant when striding into a first-half lead through Ilkay Gundogan. But Palace responded quickly with a Jeffrey Schlupp strike and three minutes later a wondrous volley from 30 metres from the mercurial England international Townsend, an early contender for goal of the season. Luka Milivojevic put the visitors further clear with a penalty after the break before Palace survived a late onslaught that saw Kevin De Bruyne score five minutes from time. "It's complicated but we fight until the last second. We are in December and we will try and recover and try and win games again," shrugged Guardiola, conceding that his side needed to "recover mentally and recover physicality". UNITED REBORN In stark contrast, after a traumatic week which saw the end of Mourinho's two-and-a-half-year reign, Manchester United seemed mentally and physically re-born, playing with verve, pace and attacking intent that reflected the smile of their still fresh-faced caretaker boss and old club hero, Solskjaer. He was beaming after three minutes when Marcus Rashford's free-kick put United ahead and further goals before halftime from Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial -- after a dazzling passing interchange -- and a second-half double from Jesse Lingard made it a perfect start for the Norwegian. United, with Paul Pogba back in the fold, poured forward in a free-spirited manner rarely seen under Mourinho as Solskjaer lifted the gloom of United's worst start in 28 years. "Football is easy if you have good players. This is such a great group of players. The quality is just unbelievable," the modest Solskjaer said, as both his team and ex-United players, headed by Wayne Rooney, all praised the instant 'Ole effect'. Chelsea's loss at Stamford Bridge seemed almost as unlikely as Manchester City's with Leicester facing the prospect of a third straight defeat but Jamie Vardy's first-time finish soon after the break brought much-needed relief for the Foxes' manager Claude Puel. At the Emirates Stadium, the predatory Aubameyang took his tally of league goals to 12 with his double in the win over Burnley, one more than Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. Fulham earned a goalless draw at Newcastle United but remained bottom of the table on 10 points alongside Huddersfield Town, who were beaten 3-1 by a Southampton side that look rejuvenated under new Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuettl. Watford moved into seventh place with a 2-0 win at West Ham United, thanks to goals from Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu.

Five-star Manchester United rediscover their swagger but City are stunned

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made an instant impact as Manchester United caretaker manager with Paul Pogba to the fore in a transformed performance from the final days of Jose Mourinho's reign in a 5-1 thumping of Cardiff on Saturday.

Solskjaer has been put in charge until the end of the season after Mourinho was sacked on Tuesday and could not have asked for a better start in the Welsh capital thanks to Marcus Rashford's third-minute free-kick.

The visitors also had a slice of fortune when Ander Herrera's strike deflected in to double their advantage.

But United shrugged off Victor Camarasa's penalty, awarded for a dubious handball call on Rashford, with the sort of free-flowing play that appeared so scarcely under Mourinho as Anthony Martial started and finished a fine move also including Pogba and Jesse Lingard.

And Lingard struck twice more in the second half to secure United's biggest win of the season so far.

As well as getting Solskjaer off to a flying start, victory also sees United crucially close the gap on the Premier League top four to eight points thanks to Chelsea's 1-0 home defeat by Leicester earlier in the day.

Pogba was forced to watch the full 90 minutes from the bench last weekend as Liverpool inflicted the final blow to Mourinho's time in charge with a 3-1 win that left United 19 points off the top after just 17 games.

The French World Cup-winner was restored from the start for the first time in four league games and looked far more like the player United splashed a then world-record £89 million ($113 million) on in 2016 than the one that clashed with his former boss off the field and disappointed on it for much of the past two seasons.

Rashford gives United perfect start

It was Pogba who was felled on the edge of the Cardiff area early on and he stepped over the ball for Rashford to take aim with a dipping effort that deceived home goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and nestled in his bottom left-hand corner.

Solskjaer won only three of his 18 Premier League games in charge of Cardiff during an ill-fated spell that ended with relegation in 2014.

But a winning return to Wales rarely looked in doubt thereafter as the visiting fans enthusiastically chanted the Norwegian's name throughout.

The travelling hordes were enjoying their side moving the ball around with a speed and accuracy more reminiscent of Solskjaer's days as a player at Old Trafford when United dominated English football.

Pogba was at the heart of it and his intelligent pass picked out Herrera, whose shot flicked off Greg Cunningham to loop over the helpless Etheridge.

If Solskjaer's side were fortunate then, it was Cardiff who got a break nine minutes later when the assistant referee adjudged Rashford to have handled rather than control the ball with his shoulder inside the area.

Camarasa's perfectly-taken penalty could have sparked a collapse for a team short on confidence in recent times.

Instead, United responded resoundingly with a fantastic team goal as a quick interchange of passes between Pogba and Lingard freed Martial to score his ninth goal of the season.

Lingard took responsibility from the spot just before the hour mark after another soft penalty was awarded for a foul by Sol Bamba on the England international.

And the England international was the beneficiary of another defence-splitting pass from Pogba a minute from time as he rounded Etheridge and slotted into an empty net.&nbsp;

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made an instant impact as Manchester United caretaker manager with Paul Pogba to the fore in a transformed performance from the final days of Jose Mourinho's reign in a 5-1 thumping of Cardiff on Saturday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made an instant impact as Manchester United caretaker manager with Paul Pogba to the fore in a transformed performance from the final days of Jose Mourinho's reign in a 5-1 thumping of Cardiff on Saturday. Solskjaer has been put in charge until the end of the season after Mourinho was sacked on Tuesday and could not have asked for a better start in the Welsh capital thanks to Marcus Rashford's third-minute free-kick. The visitors also had a slice of fortune when Ander Herrera's strike deflected in to double their advantage. But United shrugged off Victor Camarasa's penalty, awarded for a dubious handball call on Rashford, with the sort of free-flowing play that appeared so scarcely under Mourinho as Anthony Martial started and finished a fine move also including Pogba and Jesse Lingard. And Lingard struck twice more in the second half to secure United's biggest win of the season so far. As well as getting Solskjaer off to a flying start, victory also sees United crucially close the gap on the Premier League top four to eight points thanks to Chelsea's 1-0 home defeat by Leicester earlier in the day. Pogba was forced to watch the full 90 minutes from the bench last weekend as Liverpool inflicted the final blow to Mourinho's time in charge with a 3-1 win that left United 19 points off the top after just 17 games. The French World Cup-winner was restored from the start for the first time in four league games and looked far more like the player United splashed a then world-record £89 million ($113 million) on in 2016 than the one that clashed with his former boss off the field and disappointed on it for much of the past two seasons. Rashford gives United perfect start It was Pogba who was felled on the edge of the Cardiff area early on and he stepped over the ball for Rashford to take aim with a dipping effort that deceived home goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and nestled in his bottom left-hand corner. Solskjaer won only three of his 18 Premier League games in charge of Cardiff during an ill-fated spell that ended with relegation in 2014. But a winning return to Wales rarely looked in doubt thereafter as the visiting fans enthusiastically chanted the Norwegian's name throughout. The travelling hordes were enjoying their side moving the ball around with a speed and accuracy more reminiscent of Solskjaer's days as a player at Old Trafford when United dominated English football. Pogba was at the heart of it and his intelligent pass picked out Herrera, whose shot flicked off Greg Cunningham to loop over the helpless Etheridge. If Solskjaer's side were fortunate then, it was Cardiff who got a break nine minutes later when the assistant referee adjudged Rashford to have handled rather than control the ball with his shoulder inside the area. Camarasa's perfectly-taken penalty could have sparked a collapse for a team short on confidence in recent times. Instead, United responded resoundingly with a fantastic team goal as a quick interchange of passes between Pogba and Lingard freed Martial to score his ninth goal of the season. Lingard took responsibility from the spot just before the hour mark after another soft penalty was awarded for a foul by Sol Bamba on the England international. And the England international was the beneficiary of another defence-splitting pass from Pogba a minute from time as he rounded Etheridge and slotted into an empty net.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes instant impact as Manchester United thrash Cardiff

Manchester United's caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Thursday that he wanted to "get the players enjoying their football" after he returned to Old Trafford following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

United have turned to their former Norway international striker Solskjaer on a deal until the end of the season to inject some life into what has been a fraught campaign.

The club parted company with Mourinho on Tuesday with the club in the sixth spot in the Premier League having made their worst start to a season for 28 years, culminating in a limp 3-1 loss to bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Mourinho's final few months in charge were dominated by media reports of his falling out with the club's 90 million pounds ($114 million) France midfielder Paul Pogba while his side laboured on the pitch playing dull defensive football.

Solskjaer, who as a player was part of United's era of dominance under Alex Ferguson and scored the goal that secured an unprecedented treble almost 20 years ago, wants to return a feel-good factor to their under-performing squad.

"I am just going to be myself... get the players enjoying their football and looking forward to seeing the supporters again," Solskjaer, 45, told MUTV on Thursday in his first interview as caretaker boss.

"We are in a results business and we want to win games and that is my job. We just want to see them play the football they can."

Solskjaer, who has left his role as manager of Norwegian club Molde, said the busy upcoming schedule of matches would give all of his squad a chance to impress him.

Their game on Saturday at Cardiff City, where Solskjaer was briefly manager in 2014, begins a run of five in 15 days.

“The amount of games coming up is no problem because we’ve got an amazing squad, we’ve got 23-24 players,” Solskjaer said.

“They are all quality and they’ll all get a chance now with the amount of games coming up. They’ve got a chance to show they are Man United players.”

Solskjaer's place in United's folklore means he is likely to receive a rapturous welcome when they play their next home match against Huddersfield Town on December 26.

The Norwegian, who was the hero on one of the club's most famous nights when got the winner in stoppage time as United completed a 2-1 comeback triumph over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final, said he would relish his time in charge.

"As a player I gave everything I have and now walking out and leading this team and being part of this team. Playing for pride, history, it will be very special."

Manchester United's caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Thursday that he wanted to "get the players enjoying their football" after he returned to Old Trafford following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

Manchester United's caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Thursday that he wanted to "get the players enjoying their football" after he returned to Old Trafford following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. United have turned to their former Norway international striker Solskjaer on a deal until the end of the season to inject some life into what has been a fraught campaign. The club parted company with Mourinho on Tuesday with the club in the sixth spot in the Premier League having made their worst start to a season for 28 years, culminating in a limp 3-1 loss to bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Mourinho's final few months in charge were dominated by media reports of his falling out with the club's 90 million pounds ($114 million) France midfielder Paul Pogba while his side laboured on the pitch playing dull defensive football. Solskjaer, who as a player was part of United's era of dominance under Alex Ferguson and scored the goal that secured an unprecedented treble almost 20 years ago, wants to return a feel-good factor to their under-performing squad. "I am just going to be myself... get the players enjoying their football and looking forward to seeing the supporters again," Solskjaer, 45, told MUTV on Thursday in his first interview as caretaker boss. "We are in a results business and we want to win games and that is my job. We just want to see them play the football they can." Solskjaer, who has left his role as manager of Norwegian club Molde, said the busy upcoming schedule of matches would give all of his squad a chance to impress him. Their game on Saturday at Cardiff City, where Solskjaer was briefly manager in 2014, begins a run of five in 15 days. “The amount of games coming up is no problem because we’ve got an amazing squad, we’ve got 23-24 players,” Solskjaer said. “They are all quality and they’ll all get a chance now with the amount of games coming up. They’ve got a chance to show they are Man United players.” Solskjaer's place in United's folklore means he is likely to receive a rapturous welcome when they play their next home match against Huddersfield Town on December 26. The Norwegian, who was the hero on one of the club's most famous nights when got the winner in stoppage time as United completed a 2-1 comeback triumph over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final, said he would relish his time in charge. "As a player I gave everything I have and now walking out and leading this team and being part of this team. Playing for pride, history, it will be very special."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants Manchester United players to enjoy their football

By Tony Westbury

It is no shock that José Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United. The results on the pitch said it all. The most commercially successful club in the world is having its worst season in 28 years – with its playing assets inevitably depreciating in value as a result.

Mourinho has spent around £390m building this team since his appointment in 2016, yet he recently described it as nowhere near his ideal. In truth, he has roundly failed to create an environment where the players could perform. A new generation of coaches led by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool have developed a high-tempo attacking style which made Mourinho’s more pragmatic approach look dated.

They also have a more collaborative approach to coaching, alongside the likes of Mauricio Pocchetino’s Tottenham and Unai Emery’s Arsenal. These are environments in which trust, honesty and mutual respect are the key building blocks of their teams’ culture.

In contrast, both Mourinho’s second spell at Chelsea (2013-15) and his reign at Manchester United have been marred by poor relationships with key players, the media and sometimes, it appears, with himself. From a career zenith in 2010, when he was acclaimed as the FIFA World Coach of the Year, the “Special One” increasingly looks like a man who has come to believe his own hype.

So is there a way back? I believe there is, but it won’t be easy. Self-belief is a prime asset for any consistent high performer in sport, whether athlete or coach. Unlike many struggling sports stars, however, Mourinho has no shortage of this. Though Mourinho’s record in numerous countries certainly entitles him to a sense of satisfaction, his self-aggrandisement appears to know no limits.

I should declare I am not a clinical psychologist, nor have I ever worked in any capacity with Manchester United or Mourinho. But as a sport psychologist who has worked with personalities at the top of numerous sports, Mourinho’s behaviour shows some worrying signs.

Understanding Mourinho

The accepted rubric for diagnosing narcissistic personality disorders is set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as follows:

<ul>
	<li>Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from other people;</li>
	<li>Fixated on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc;</li>
	<li>Self-perception of being unique, superior, and associated with high-status people and institutions;</li>
	<li>Needing continual admiration from others;</li>
	<li>Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others;</li>
	<li>Exploitative of others to achieve personal gain;</li>
	<li>Unwilling to empathise with the feelings, wishes, and needs of other people;</li>
	<li>Intensely envious of others, and the belief that others are equally envious of them;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Pompous and arrogant demeanour.</li>
</ul>

In the past five years, Mourinho’s public behaviour has displayed hints of some similar characteristics. Take the start of this season, after Manchester United lost two of their opening games, including a 3–0 home defeat to Spurs. Mourinho held a bizarre press conference where he demanded more respect from the media. He held three fingers aloft – indicating not how many goals Spurs had scored but how many English championships he had won – “I won more alone than the other 19 managers together. Three for me and two for them”. It was directed specifically at his rival across Manchester, Pep Guardiola.

Mourinho has long had an antagonistic, self-justificatory relationship with journalists. He also shows little empathy with the demands of their job: later the same week, for instance, he held a press conference that many journalists missed because he started it half an hour early. Mourinho dismissed any questions about his relationship with Ed Woodward, the chief executive at Manchester United, and left the room after just four minutes and 19 seconds.

There are also many more examples of arrogant behaviour towards other managers. Famously, for instance, he described Arsene Wenger, one of the most successful managers in English football, as a “specialist in failure”. At the same time, there have also been numerous high-profile fallings out behind the scenes, such as with Chelsea doctor Eva Caneiro in 2015, or more recently the Manchester United star midfielder Paul Pogba.

What next?

Some of Mourinho’s public behaviour could be part of the “act” that high-performance sport arguably demands of managers nowadays. His lack of humility and unwillingness to accept responsibility for any setback, in public at least, are what made him such a successful manager in the first place. For any clinical assessment, the key question is how someone behaves in private.

Treatment for a personality disorder is slow and challenging. It requires specialist support to facilitate a fundamental reassessment of habitual behaviours. The approaches to the type of narcissistic behaviours set out above are based around talking therapies. A good option might be Cognitive Analytic Therapy, which involves a clinician working in collaboration with the patient to identify problems and come up with ways to change behaviour, with particular emphasis on the importance of relationships.

Priorities would include getting the patient to accept responsibility for his actions and learning to relate to people in new ways; showing empathy, tolerating failure and using criticism and reflection as a means of self-improvement; developing a way of regulating emotion so that it doesn’t go from zero to 100 in seconds; and recognising and celebrating the achievements of others.

Pogba could have been the lynchpin of a United team, for instance, but Mourinho appears to have undermined and antagonised him. In my view, Mourinho would greatly benefit from working with a sport psychologist. He appears stuck in 2010, or even before that, when players had less power and football was played in a different way. Most clubs have embraced the term “culture” now – the strongest ones develop from the “bottom up”, not the “top down”. Managers need to adapt to this nowadays.

I would begin by challenging him to work on every aspect of his thinking, feeling and behaving – to relearn how to interact with people without demanding admiration or respect, and in return not labelling others as unworthy or weak. I would anticipate a long involvement since these are well-established habits.

Whatever is going on behind the scenes, I believe it would be very wrong for José Mourinho to try and make another quick return to management. At the very least, he needs to reflect and develop. If there is a way back, he must change. He must want to change and he must work hard at changing. Should he succeed and claw his way back to the top, his place among the greatest managers of all time will be beyond any doubt.

(Tony Westbury is Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Edinburgh Napier University) 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-there-a-way-back-for-jose-mourinho-as-a-sport-psychologist-i-see-a-hard-road-ahead-109096">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Tony Westbury It is no shock that José Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United. The results on the pitch said it all. The most commercially successful club in the world is having its worst season in 28 years – with its playing assets inevitably depreciating in value as a result.

By Tony Westbury It is no shock that José Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United. The results on the pitch said it all. The most commercially successful club in the world is having its worst season in 28 years – with its playing assets inevitably depreciating in value as a result. Mourinho has spent around £390m building this team since his appointment in 2016, yet he recently described it as nowhere near his ideal. In truth, he has roundly failed to create an environment where the players could perform. A new generation of coaches led by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool have developed a high-tempo attacking style which made Mourinho’s more pragmatic approach look dated. They also have a more collaborative approach to coaching, alongside the likes of Mauricio Pocchetino’s Tottenham and Unai Emery’s Arsenal. These are environments in which trust, honesty and mutual respect are the key building blocks of their teams’ culture. In contrast, both Mourinho’s second spell at Chelsea (2013-15) and his reign at Manchester United have been marred by poor relationships with key players, the media and sometimes, it appears, with himself. From a career zenith in 2010, when he was acclaimed as the FIFA World Coach of the Year, the “Special One” increasingly looks like a man who has come to believe his own hype. So is there a way back? I believe there is, but it won’t be easy. Self-belief is a prime asset for any consistent high performer in sport, whether athlete or coach. Unlike many struggling sports stars, however, Mourinho has no shortage of this. Though Mourinho’s record in numerous countries certainly entitles him to a sense of satisfaction, his self-aggrandisement appears to know no limits. I should declare I am not a clinical psychologist, nor have I ever worked in any capacity with Manchester United or Mourinho. But as a sport psychologist who has worked with personalities at the top of numerous sports, Mourinho’s behaviour shows some worrying signs. Understanding Mourinho The accepted rubric for diagnosing narcissistic personality disorders is set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as follows: Grandiosity with expectations of superior treatment from other people; Fixated on fantasies of power, success, intelligence, attractiveness, etc; Self-perception of being unique, superior, and associated with high-status people and institutions; Needing continual admiration from others; Sense of entitlement to special treatment and to obedience from others; Exploitative of others to achieve personal gain; Unwilling to empathise with the feelings, wishes, and needs of other people; Intensely envious of others, and the belief that others are equally envious of them; Pompous and arrogant demeanour. In the past five years, Mourinho’s public behaviour has displayed hints of some similar characteristics. Take the start of this season, after Manchester United lost two of their opening games, including a 3–0 home defeat to Spurs. Mourinho held a bizarre press conference where he demanded more respect from the media. He held three fingers aloft – indicating not how many goals Spurs had scored but how many English championships he had won – “I won more alone than the other 19 managers together. Three for me and two for them”. It was directed specifically at his rival across Manchester, Pep Guardiola. Mourinho has long had an antagonistic, self-justificatory relationship with journalists. He also shows little empathy with the demands of their job: later the same week, for instance, he held a press conference that many journalists missed because he started it half an hour early. Mourinho dismissed any questions about his relationship with Ed Woodward, the chief executive at Manchester United, and left the room after just four minutes and 19 seconds. There are also many more examples of arrogant behaviour towards other managers. Famously, for instance, he described Arsene Wenger, one of the most successful managers in English football, as a “specialist in failure”. At the same time, there have also been numerous high-profile fallings out behind the scenes, such as with Chelsea doctor Eva Caneiro in 2015, or more recently the Manchester United star midfielder Paul Pogba. What next? Some of Mourinho’s public behaviour could be part of the “act” that high-performance sport arguably demands of managers nowadays. His lack of humility and unwillingness to accept responsibility for any setback, in public at least, are what made him such a successful manager in the first place. For any clinical assessment, the key question is how someone behaves in private. Treatment for a personality disorder is slow and challenging. It requires specialist support to facilitate a fundamental reassessment of habitual behaviours. The approaches to the type of narcissistic behaviours set out above are based around talking therapies. A good option might be Cognitive Analytic Therapy, which involves a clinician working in collaboration with the patient to identify problems and come up with ways to change behaviour, with particular emphasis on the importance of relationships. Priorities would include getting the patient to accept responsibility for his actions and learning to relate to people in new ways; showing empathy, tolerating failure and using criticism and reflection as a means of self-improvement; developing a way of regulating emotion so that it doesn’t go from zero to 100 in seconds; and recognising and celebrating the achievements of others. Pogba could have been the lynchpin of a United team, for instance, but Mourinho appears to have undermined and antagonised him. In my view, Mourinho would greatly benefit from working with a sport psychologist. He appears stuck in 2010, or even before that, when players had less power and football was played in a different way. Most clubs have embraced the term “culture” now – the strongest ones develop from the “bottom up”, not the “top down”. Managers need to adapt to this nowadays. I would begin by challenging him to work on every aspect of his thinking, feeling and behaving – to relearn how to interact with people without demanding admiration or respect, and in return not labelling others as unworthy or weak. I would anticipate a long involvement since these are well-established habits. Whatever is going on behind the scenes, I believe it would be very wrong for José Mourinho to try and make another quick return to management. At the very least, he needs to reflect and develop. If there is a way back, he must change. He must want to change and he must work hard at changing. Should he succeed and claw his way back to the top, his place among the greatest managers of all time will be beyond any doubt. (Tony Westbury is Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Edinburgh Napier University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Is there a way back for Jose Mourinho?

Former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday (December 21) spoke of the 'honour and a privilege' of returning to Manchester United as caretaker manager.

The Norwegian - famous for his match-winning performances as former manager Alex Ferguson's 'super-sub' - said his first task was to get the players to enjoy their football.

Speaking at his first news conference after returning to Old Trafford following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, the former international striker is on a deal until the end of the season to inject some life into what has been a fraught campaign.

The club parted company with Mourinho on Tuesday having made their worst start to a season for 28 years, culminating in a limp 3-1 loss to bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Mourinho's final few months in charge were dominated by media reports of his falling out with the club's 90 million pounds ($114 million) France midfielder Paul Pogba while his side laboured on the pitch playing dull defensive football.

Solskjaer, who as a player was part of United's era of dominance under Ferguson and scored the goal that secured an unprecedented treble almost 20 years ago, wants to return a feel-good factor to their under-performing squad.

Solskjaer, who has left his role as manager of Norwegian club Molde, said the busy upcoming schedule of matches would give all of his squad a chance to impress.

Their game on Saturday at Cardiff City, where Solskjaer was briefly manager in 2014, begins a run of five in 15 days.

He was the hero on one of the club's most famous nights when he scored the winner in stoppage time as United completed a 2-1 comeback triumph over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final.

Former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday (December 21) spoke of the 'honour and a privilege' of returning to Manchester United as caretaker manager. The Norwegian - famous for his match-winning performances as former manager Alex Ferguson's 'super-sub' - said his first task was to get the players to enjoy their football.

Former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday (December 21) spoke of the 'honour and a privilege' of returning to Manchester United as caretaker manager. The Norwegian - famous for his match-winning performances as former manager Alex Ferguson's 'super-sub' - said his first task was to get the players to enjoy their football. Speaking at his first news conference after returning to Old Trafford following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, the former international striker is on a deal until the end of the season to inject some life into what has been a fraught campaign. The club parted company with Mourinho on Tuesday having made their worst start to a season for 28 years, culminating in a limp 3-1 loss to bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Mourinho's final few months in charge were dominated by media reports of his falling out with the club's 90 million pounds ($114 million) France midfielder Paul Pogba while his side laboured on the pitch playing dull defensive football. Solskjaer, who as a player was part of United's era of dominance under Ferguson and scored the goal that secured an unprecedented treble almost 20 years ago, wants to return a feel-good factor to their under-performing squad. Solskjaer, who has left his role as manager of Norwegian club Molde, said the busy upcoming schedule of matches would give all of his squad a chance to impress. Their game on Saturday at Cardiff City, where Solskjaer was briefly manager in 2014, begins a run of five in 15 days. He was the hero on one of the club's most famous nights when he scored the winner in stoppage time as United completed a 2-1 comeback triumph over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants Manchester United job on permanent basis

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was on Wednesday named as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/interim-manager-would-hold-manchester-united-back-says-fletcher-185298">Manchester United's caretaker manager</a> until the end of the 2018/19 season following the sacking of <a href="Klopp calls Mourinho &quot;outstanding&quot; after the Portuguese departs rivals United">Jose Mourinho</a>.

The former United striker will take charge of the first team with immediate effect and will remain in place while the club looks for a new full-time manager.&nbsp;

He will be joined by Mike Phelan as first-team coach, working alongside Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna.

"Manchester United is in my heart and it's brilliant to be coming back in this role. I'm really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club," said the Norwegian.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said: "Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles.

"His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back. We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was on Wednesday named as Manchester United's caretaker manager until the end of the 2018/19 season following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. The former United striker will take charge of the first team with immediate effect and will remain in place while the club looks for a new full-time manager.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was on Wednesday named as Manchester United's caretaker manager until the end of the 2018/19 season following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. The former United striker will take charge of the first team with immediate effect and will remain in place while the club looks for a new full-time manager. He will be joined by Mike Phelan as first-team coach, working alongside Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna. "Manchester United is in my heart and it's brilliant to be coming back in this role. I'm really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club," said the Norwegian. Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said: "Ole is a club legend with huge experience, both on the pitch and in coaching roles. "His history at Manchester United means he lives and breathes the culture here and everyone at the club is delighted to have him and Mike Phelan back. We are confident they will unite the players and the fans as we head into the second half of the season."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named Manchester United caretaker manager

Manchester United run the risk of "writing off" next season as well as the remainder of the current one if they appoint an interim manager to replace Jose Mourinho, former United midfielder Darren Fletcher has said.

United dismissed manager Mourinho on Tuesday after their worst start to a season for 28 years.

A source close to the club has told Reuters that Fletcher's former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the club's ex-assistant coach Mike Phelan were set to return to Old Trafford as caretaker managers until the end of the season.

"Manchester United should never be in this position," Fletcher, who won who won five Premier League titles in 12 years at United, told the BBC.

"They're almost writing off this season and next season because if they appoint a new manager in the summer he's not going to have much time to look for new players."

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite as United look for their fourth full-time manager since 2013 when Alex Ferguson retired after nearly 27 years in charge.

"There is a real concern that you could have two seasons of rebuilding again," Fletcher added.

United are sixth in the league, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool and 11 points off the Champions League places.

Manchester United run the risk of "writing off" next season as well as the remainder of the current one if they appoint an interim manager to replace Jose Mourinho, former United midfielder Darren Fletcher has said.

Manchester United run the risk of "writing off" next season as well as the remainder of the current one if they appoint an interim manager to replace Jose Mourinho, former United midfielder Darren Fletcher has said. United dismissed manager Mourinho on Tuesday after their worst start to a season for 28 years. A source close to the club has told Reuters that Fletcher's former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the club's ex-assistant coach Mike Phelan were set to return to Old Trafford as caretaker managers until the end of the season. "Manchester United should never be in this position," Fletcher, who won who won five Premier League titles in 12 years at United, told the BBC. "They're almost writing off this season and next season because if they appoint a new manager in the summer he's not going to have much time to look for new players." Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite as United look for their fourth full-time manager since 2013 when Alex Ferguson retired after nearly 27 years in charge. "There is a real concern that you could have two seasons of rebuilding again," Fletcher added. United are sixth in the league, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool and 11 points off the Champions League places.

Interim manager would hold Manchester United back, says Fletcher

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp says Jose Mourinho is an "outstanding manager" despite the Portuguese being sacked by Manchester United earlier on Tuesday.

Mourinho was shown the door at Old Trafford two-and-a-half years after joining the 20-time English champions, with United in sixth in the Premier League - 19 points adrift of Klopp's Liverpool at the top.

United's 3-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday (December 16) was the final straw for the United board with the Red Devils having won only once in their last six league matches.

Klopp though heaped praise on the former Inter Milan, Chelsea, Porto and Real Madrid boss who has won 20 major trophies throughout his managerial career.

Klopp also reacted positively to Liverpool drawing Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 draw on Monday (December 17).

Mourinho famously won the 2004 Champions League with Porto and repeated the feat with Inter six years later with a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich.

The 55-year-old won two trophies in his first season with United - the Europa League and League Cup in the 2016/17 campaign.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp says Jose Mourinho is an "outstanding manager" despite the Portuguese being sacked by Manchester United earlier on Tuesday. Mourinho was shown the door at Old Trafford two-and-a-half years after joining the 20-time English champions, with United in sixth in the Premier League - 19 points adrift of Klopp's Liverpool at the top.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp says Jose Mourinho is an "outstanding manager" despite the Portuguese being sacked by Manchester United earlier on Tuesday. Mourinho was shown the door at Old Trafford two-and-a-half years after joining the 20-time English champions, with United in sixth in the Premier League - 19 points adrift of Klopp's Liverpool at the top. United's 3-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday (December 16) was the final straw for the United board with the Red Devils having won only once in their last six league matches. Klopp though heaped praise on the former Inter Milan, Chelsea, Porto and Real Madrid boss who has won 20 major trophies throughout his managerial career. Klopp also reacted positively to Liverpool drawing Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 draw on Monday (December 17). Mourinho famously won the 2004 Champions League with Porto and repeated the feat with Inter six years later with a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich. The 55-year-old won two trophies in his first season with United - the Europa League and League Cup in the 2016/17 campaign.

Klopp calls Mourinho "outstanding" after the Portuguese departs rivals United

Jose Mourinho's increasingly tempestuous reign at Manchester United came to an end on Tuesday when the club sacked him after just two-and-a-half years in charge.

The Portuguese 55-year-old's unhappiness at the club manifested itself even before the season started.

Here AFP Sport picks out five quotes that chart the decline in relations between Mourinho, the club and the players:

July 24

Mourinho's relationship with record signing Paul Pogba had already become fraught in the 2017/18 season -- he dropped the Frenchman for the Champions League loss to Sevilla -- but the path to the complete breakdown in relations took root in the wake of comments he made after the 25-year-old's shining moment in scoring in the World Cup final win over Croatia. Pogba was said to be furious when he read the remarks.

"During a season, you can have a big match then a smaller match, then one even smaller, then you can lose your focus, you can lose your concentration, then comes a big match again.

"In the World Cup, the direction of the emotion, of the responsibility, of the big decisions is always growing up.

"So I think it was the perfect environment for him."

July 29

Mourinho voices his concerns, following a 4-1 pre-season hammering by Liverpool, regarding the transfer policy of the club even though early in the close season he had been quick off the mark and secured Brazilian midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk and full-back Diogo Dalot from FC Porto.

"I gave a list to my club of five names a few months ago and I wait to see if it's possible to have one of these players. If it's possible, it's possible. If it's not, it's not. If it's possible, it's good. If not then we keep fighting and working and believing in the players that we have."

August 31

Just a few weeks into the season Mourinho felt obliged to remind the world of how great a manager he was in terms of his overall record and resorted to citing German philosopher Georg Hegel to support his argument.&nbsp;

"Did you read any philosopher? You spent time reading Hegel. Just as an example Hegel says: 'The truth is in the whole,' is always in the whole."&nbsp;&nbsp;

November 30

By this stage United were 14 points off neighbours Manchester City and seven adrift of the Champions League places but Mourinho returned to his favoured defence strategy of how hard it is now to buy the top players even though over his tenure he spent around £360million.&nbsp;

"You have no chance in the market unless you go to crazy numbers. Instead, you go to the second level players where you still have crazy numbers, and where people say, and I agree, that's not what Manchester United is."

December 4

Less than a week later Mourinho had revised his target for finishing in the top four at the end of the year with an eight-point gap between them in seventh spot and fourth-placed Arsenal and his low ambitions not only upset United fans further but probably set alarm bells ringing in the boardroom and a further go at the players failed to spark them into positive action as evidenced by the disfunctional display against Liverpool.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The target changed but let's try to close the distance as best as we can and be very close to these positions.

"We need some players to perform better than they are. We need to perform better as a team, but it would be far from a miracle."

Jose Mourinho's increasingly tempestuous reign at Manchester United came to an end on Tuesday when the club sacked him after just two-and-a-half years in charge.

Jose Mourinho's increasingly tempestuous reign at Manchester United came to an end on Tuesday when the club sacked him after just two-and-a-half years in charge. The Portuguese 55-year-old's unhappiness at the club manifested itself even before the season started. Here AFP Sport picks out five quotes that chart the decline in relations between Mourinho, the club and the players: July 24 Mourinho's relationship with record signing Paul Pogba had already become fraught in the 2017/18 season -- he dropped the Frenchman for the Champions League loss to Sevilla -- but the path to the complete breakdown in relations took root in the wake of comments he made after the 25-year-old's shining moment in scoring in the World Cup final win over Croatia. Pogba was said to be furious when he read the remarks. "During a season, you can have a big match then a smaller match, then one even smaller, then you can lose your focus, you can lose your concentration, then comes a big match again. "In the World Cup, the direction of the emotion, of the responsibility, of the big decisions is always growing up. "So I think it was the perfect environment for him." July 29 Mourinho voices his concerns, following a 4-1 pre-season hammering by Liverpool, regarding the transfer policy of the club even though early in the close season he had been quick off the mark and secured Brazilian midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk and full-back Diogo Dalot from FC Porto. "I gave a list to my club of five names a few months ago and I wait to see if it's possible to have one of these players. If it's possible, it's possible. If it's not, it's not. If it's possible, it's good. If not then we keep fighting and working and believing in the players that we have." August 31 Just a few weeks into the season Mourinho felt obliged to remind the world of how great a manager he was in terms of his overall record and resorted to citing German philosopher Georg Hegel to support his argument. "Did you read any philosopher? You spent time reading Hegel. Just as an example Hegel says: 'The truth is in the whole,' is always in the whole." November 30 By this stage United were 14 points off neighbours Manchester City and seven adrift of the Champions League places but Mourinho returned to his favoured defence strategy of how hard it is now to buy the top players even though over his tenure he spent around £360million. "You have no chance in the market unless you go to crazy numbers. Instead, you go to the second level players where you still have crazy numbers, and where people say, and I agree, that's not what Manchester United is." December 4 Less than a week later Mourinho had revised his target for finishing in the top four at the end of the year with an eight-point gap between them in seventh spot and fourth-placed Arsenal and his low ambitions not only upset United fans further but probably set alarm bells ringing in the boardroom and a further go at the players failed to spark them into positive action as evidenced by the disfunctional display against Liverpool. "The target changed but let's try to close the distance as best as we can and be very close to these positions. "We need some players to perform better than they are. We need to perform better as a team, but it would be far from a miracle."

Jose Mourinho's fall from grace at Manchester United in quotes

Manchester United on Tuesday sacked Jose Mourinho as the club's manager with immediate effect, following Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool.&nbsp;

The club took to their Twitter to confirm his departure, ending a tenure that began in May 2016. The club further thanked Jose for his work during his tenure and wished him success in the future.

Meanwhile, a sense of disunity at United had increased when Mourinho stripped Pogba of the vice-captaincy before a Carabao Cup defeat by Derby County and confronted him at training the following morning.&nbsp;

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Manchester United has announced that Jose Mourinho has left the Club. 
 
We would like to thank him for his work during his time at Manchester United and wish him success in the future. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a>
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A new caretaker manager would be appointed until the end of the current season. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Manchester United on Tuesday sacked Jose Mourinho as the club's manager with immediate effect, following Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool. The club took to their Twitter to confirm his departure, ending a tenure that began in May 2016.

Manchester United on Tuesday sacked Jose Mourinho as the club's manager with immediate effect, following Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool. The club took to their Twitter to confirm his departure, ending a tenure that began in May 2016. The club further thanked Jose for his work during his tenure and wished him success in the future. Meanwhile, a sense of disunity at United had increased when Mourinho stripped Pogba of the vice-captaincy before a Carabao Cup defeat by Derby County and confronted him at training the following morning. Manchester United has announced that Jose Mourinho has left the Club. We would like to thank him for his work during his time at Manchester United and wish him success in the future. #MUFC — Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 18, 2018 × A new caretaker manager would be appointed until the end of the current season.

Manchester United sack Jose Mourinho with immediate effect

Former Manchester United captains Gary Neville and Roy Keane turned their fire on their old club after Jose Mourinho's side fell to a dispiriting 3-1 defeat to old rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

United are now 19 points behind Juergen Klopp's Premier League leaders and sit 11 points off fourth place and Champions League qualification.

But while the numbers speak for themselves, Neville and Keane, both working as analysts on Sky Sports television, suggested the club's problems ran much deeper than just their current league position.

Mourinho's decision to leave Paul Pogba as an unused substitute raised eyebrows with Neville saying the midfield was not up to scratch.

"I can't get over United's central midfield. If you're Paul Pogba watching (Nemanja) Matic, (Ander) Herrera, (Marouane) Fellaini, Fred, who played the other night ... not one of them can pass a football," he said.

"None of them can actually receive the ball and pass the ball. I just find it absolutely staggering. I thought United were awful today....It's not good enough," added the former full-back who won eight titles in Alex Ferguson's team.

Neville said it would not make sense to sack Mourinho mid-season and pointed the finger at the club's directors for extending the manager's contract last season.

"The board are so naive, giving him a new contract. Manchester United need to reset. It's not just the manager, it's deeper than that. They lost control of the football club when they gave him a contract extension 18 months in.

"The minute he came back from pre-season he was at it and the club lost control. There is not that experience or knowledge in the football club above him to be able to manage or control him and handle him."

Keane said he was not surprised by the performance he witnessed at Anfield.

"I looked at United and thought they're going to be found out today. And they were.

"It's a huge concern going forward. I certainly believe a lot of their players are not good enough to be playing for Manchester United. They're good players but not good enough for Manchester United.

"They're so far behind the likes of Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea. The biggest problem is defensively; you have to have some foundation to go forward. They look like they're all over the place."

The Irishman suggested that Pogba might not have a long-term future at the club.

"If he's sitting on the bench and not getting on, you're thinking his days must be numbered. I don't think they'll do anything in January but, come the summer, you move him on."

Keane speculated that the mood at the club may not be conducive to success.

"Looking at Mourinho on a match day, I'd love to know what the atmosphere is like at the training ground," he said.

"Is it a happy camp? Because seeing the players' body language, I don't get the impression they enjoy playing for Man United. Some of them look disinterested. Is that coming from the manager?"

Former Manchester United captains Gary Neville and Roy Keane turned their fire on their old club after Jose Mourinho's side fell to a dispiriting 3-1 defeat to old rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Former Manchester United captains Gary Neville and Roy Keane turned their fire on their old club after Jose Mourinho's side fell to a dispiriting 3-1 defeat to old rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. United are now 19 points behind Juergen Klopp's Premier League leaders and sit 11 points off fourth place and Champions League qualification. But while the numbers speak for themselves, Neville and Keane, both working as analysts on Sky Sports television, suggested the club's problems ran much deeper than just their current league position. Mourinho's decision to leave Paul Pogba as an unused substitute raised eyebrows with Neville saying the midfield was not up to scratch. "I can't get over United's central midfield. If you're Paul Pogba watching (Nemanja) Matic, (Ander) Herrera, (Marouane) Fellaini, Fred, who played the other night ... not one of them can pass a football," he said. "None of them can actually receive the ball and pass the ball. I just find it absolutely staggering. I thought United were awful today....It's not good enough," added the former full-back who won eight titles in Alex Ferguson's team. Neville said it would not make sense to sack Mourinho mid-season and pointed the finger at the club's directors for extending the manager's contract last season. "The board are so naive, giving him a new contract. Manchester United need to reset. It's not just the manager, it's deeper than that. They lost control of the football club when they gave him a contract extension 18 months in. "The minute he came back from pre-season he was at it and the club lost control. There is not that experience or knowledge in the football club above him to be able to manage or control him and handle him." Keane said he was not surprised by the performance he witnessed at Anfield. "I looked at United and thought they're going to be found out today. And they were. "It's a huge concern going forward. I certainly believe a lot of their players are not good enough to be playing for Manchester United. They're good players but not good enough for Manchester United. "They're so far behind the likes of Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea. The biggest problem is defensively; you have to have some foundation to go forward. They look like they're all over the place." The Irishman suggested that Pogba might not have a long-term future at the club. "If he's sitting on the bench and not getting on, you're thinking his days must be numbered. I don't think they'll do anything in January but, come the summer, you move him on." Keane speculated that the mood at the club may not be conducive to success. "Looking at Mourinho on a match day, I'd love to know what the atmosphere is like at the training ground," he said. "Is it a happy camp? Because seeing the players' body language, I don't get the impression they enjoy playing for Man United. Some of them look disinterested. Is that coming from the manager?"

Former-captains Roy Keane, Gary Neville slam Manchester United after Anfield loss

Two second-half goals from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri gave Liverpool a 3-1 Premier League win over Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday as Juergen Klopp's side regained top spot with a pulsating performance in the North West derby.

Unbeaten Liverpool have 45 points from 17 games with champions Manchester City, who beat Everton 3-1 on Saturday, a point behind.

United are 19 points adrift of Liverpool in sixth place -- the biggest gap between the clubs at this stage of this season for 46 years -- and a daunting 11 points behind the top four.

Jose Mourinho's side's 26 points is their lowest return after 17 games in the Premier League era and the defeat, which could have been even more emphatic, is sure to re-open questions about the manager's future.

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Mourinho left French World Cup-winning midfielder Paul Pogba on the bench as he opted for a defence-orientated line-up but his attempt to get a third straight draw at Anfield ended in failure.

Klopp's side were faster, smarter and more incisive than a United team again lacking any cutting edge and looking mediocre against opponents who look equipped to fight Manchester City all the way for the title.

Liverpool roared out of the traps and took the game to United, grabbing the lead in the 24th minute when Sadio Mane chested down a pass from Fabinho and slotted past David De Gea.

Against the run of play, United drew level in the 33rd minute when Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker spilled a harmless low cross from Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard pounced on the loose ball to find the net.

The hosts continued to dominate but too often were restricted to long-range efforts and it was not until the introduction of Swiss international Shaqiri that the game turned decisively in their favour.

Mane's pull back from the byline took two deflections as it ricocheted to Shaqiri on the edge of the area and his shot flew off Ashley Young and into the top corner to make it 2-1 in the 73rd minute.

Seven minutes later fortune was on Shaqiri's side again as another deflected shot, this time off Eric Bailly, beat the helpless De Gea.

Two second-half goals from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri gave Liverpool a 3-1 Premier League win over Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday as Juergen Klopp's side regained top spot with a pulsating performance in the North West derby.

Two second-half goals from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri gave Liverpool a 3-1 Premier League win over Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday as Juergen Klopp's side regained top spot with a pulsating performance in the North West derby. Unbeaten Liverpool have 45 points from 17 games with champions Manchester City, who beat Everton 3-1 on Saturday, a point behind. United are 19 points adrift of Liverpool in sixth place -- the biggest gap between the clubs at this stage of this season for 46 years -- and a daunting 11 points behind the top four. Jose Mourinho's side's 26 points is their lowest return after 17 games in the Premier League era and the defeat, which could have been even more emphatic, is sure to re-open questions about the manager's future. Boss.😍 pic.twitter.com/efagUc5yW8 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 16, 2018 × Mourinho left French World Cup-winning midfielder Paul Pogba on the bench as he opted for a defence-orientated line-up but his attempt to get a third straight draw at Anfield ended in failure. Klopp's side were faster, smarter and more incisive than a United team again lacking any cutting edge and looking mediocre against opponents who look equipped to fight Manchester City all the way for the title. Liverpool roared out of the traps and took the game to United, grabbing the lead in the 24th minute when Sadio Mane chested down a pass from Fabinho and slotted past David De Gea. Against the run of play, United drew level in the 33rd minute when Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker spilled a harmless low cross from Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard pounced on the loose ball to find the net. The hosts continued to dominate but too often were restricted to long-range efforts and it was not until the introduction of Swiss international Shaqiri that the game turned decisively in their favour. Mane's pull back from the byline took two deflections as it ricocheted to Shaqiri on the edge of the area and his shot flew off Ashley Young and into the top corner to make it 2-1 in the 73rd minute. Seven minutes later fortune was on Shaqiri's side again as another deflected shot, this time off Eric Bailly, beat the helpless De Gea.

Xherdan Shaqiri strikes twice as Liverpool defeat Manchester United

Manchester United had not lost to Liverpool in the Premier League for eight games and over four years prior to Sunday's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/xherdan-shaqiri-strikes-twice-as-liverpool-defeat-manchester-united-184613">3-1 defeat</a>, but the current chasm between the two sides was exposed as Jose Mourinho's men fell 19 points behind the league leaders at Anfield.

Match-going United fans have been reluctant to turn on Mourinho, instead often pointing fingers at executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward's reluctance to back the manager in the transfer market this summer or the club's American owners, the Glazer family.

However, by the end of proceedings on Sunday, as two deflected Xherdan Shaqiri strikes in the final 17 minutes sealed a thoroughly deserved victory for the hosts, it was Liverpool fans who sarcastically sang "don't sack Mourinho".

The Portuguese coach said he accepted responsibility for a fifth defeat of the season that leaves the 20-time champions of England 11 points adrift of even a top-four finish.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/former-captains-roy-keane-gary-neville-slam-manchester-united-after-anfield-loss-184713">Former-captains Roy Keane, Gary Neville slam Manchester United after Anfield loss</a>

But he also pointed the finger at what he described as "permanently injured" players and claimed both sides played "in relation to their qualities".

That does not say much for Mourinho's management as despite Liverpool spending more than any other Premier League club this summer to mount a title challenge, United's transfer spend under Mourinho in recent years still dwarfs that of any side other than champions Manchester City.

"Not one of the United midfielders can pass a football," said former United captain Gary Neville on Sky Sports.

"Not one of them. I find it staggering. United were awful."

Wasted millions

The wasted millions that have led United to this position were laid bare at Anfield as Paul Pogba, who cost a then world-record £89 million ($112 million) in 2016, was left on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

Another near £100 million of attacking talent in Juan Mata and Anthony Martial also started on the sidelines, while £50 million close-season signing Fred did not even make an injury-hit matchday squad.

"If you came down from the moon today and knew nothing about football you'd say United are an average Premier League side," said another former United captain Roy Keane in a withering assessment of the Red Devils' predicament.

"They are Manchester United of the 1980s, they can be a decent cup team."

Liverpool dominated United, England and most of Europe in the 80s, but have not won a league title since 1990.

An end to nearly three decades of hurt could be in sight, though, as victory took Jurgen Klopp's men back to the top of the table, a point clear of City.

As Klopp bounded onto the field to hug his players and rouse the home fans in one final celebration after the final whistle, the German epitomised the differing mood at the two clubs personified by their managers.

Mourinho had successfully parked the bus to come away from Anfield with 0-0 draws in each of the two previous seasons.

Yet, this United side are not even capable of mastering that gameplan anymore with a defence that has conceded 29 goals in 17 Premier League games.

United must now watch their two fiercest rivals battle it out for the title, while already a top-four finish looks like a tall order for Mourinho's men.

Ultimately, it was failure to qualify for the Champions League that cost Mourinho's predecessors Louis van Gaal and David Moyes their jobs.

The same fate is likely to meet Mourinho, despite extending his contract to 2020 earlier this year.

"Will Mourinho leave? I think it will happen," added Neville, who reserved much of the blame for Woodward and the board.

"Nobody above him can handle him. They don't know what to do with him, they don't know what to say to him. They don't know what he's going to say at every press conference.

"It will cost a fortune to lose him now."

Manchester United had not lost to Liverpool in the Premier League for eight games and over four years prior to Sunday's 3-1 defeat, but the current chasm between the two sides was exposed as Jose Mourinho's men fell 19 points behind the league leaders at Anfield.

Manchester United had not lost to Liverpool in the Premier League for eight games and over four years prior to Sunday's 3-1 defeat, but the current chasm between the two sides was exposed as Jose Mourinho's men fell 19 points behind the league leaders at Anfield. Match-going United fans have been reluctant to turn on Mourinho, instead often pointing fingers at executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward's reluctance to back the manager in the transfer market this summer or the club's American owners, the Glazer family. However, by the end of proceedings on Sunday, as two deflected Xherdan Shaqiri strikes in the final 17 minutes sealed a thoroughly deserved victory for the hosts, it was Liverpool fans who sarcastically sang "don't sack Mourinho". The Portuguese coach said he accepted responsibility for a fifth defeat of the season that leaves the 20-time champions of England 11 points adrift of even a top-four finish. Also Read: Former-captains Roy Keane, Gary Neville slam Manchester United after Anfield loss But he also pointed the finger at what he described as "permanently injured" players and claimed both sides played "in relation to their qualities". That does not say much for Mourinho's management as despite Liverpool spending more than any other Premier League club this summer to mount a title challenge, United's transfer spend under Mourinho in recent years still dwarfs that of any side other than champions Manchester City. "Not one of the United midfielders can pass a football," said former United captain Gary Neville on Sky Sports. "Not one of them. I find it staggering. United were awful." Wasted millions The wasted millions that have led United to this position were laid bare at Anfield as Paul Pogba, who cost a then world-record £89 million ($112 million) in 2016, was left on the bench for the full 90 minutes. Another near £100 million of attacking talent in Juan Mata and Anthony Martial also started on the sidelines, while £50 million close-season signing Fred did not even make an injury-hit matchday squad. "If you came down from the moon today and knew nothing about football you'd say United are an average Premier League side," said another former United captain Roy Keane in a withering assessment of the Red Devils' predicament. "They are Manchester United of the 1980s, they can be a decent cup team." Liverpool dominated United, England and most of Europe in the 80s, but have not won a league title since 1990. An end to nearly three decades of hurt could be in sight, though, as victory took Jurgen Klopp's men back to the top of the table, a point clear of City. As Klopp bounded onto the field to hug his players and rouse the home fans in one final celebration after the final whistle, the German epitomised the differing mood at the two clubs personified by their managers. Mourinho had successfully parked the bus to come away from Anfield with 0-0 draws in each of the two previous seasons. Yet, this United side are not even capable of mastering that gameplan anymore with a defence that has conceded 29 goals in 17 Premier League games. United must now watch their two fiercest rivals battle it out for the title, while already a top-four finish looks like a tall order for Mourinho's men. Ultimately, it was failure to qualify for the Champions League that cost Mourinho's predecessors Louis van Gaal and David Moyes their jobs. The same fate is likely to meet Mourinho, despite extending his contract to 2020 earlier this year. "Will Mourinho leave? I think it will happen," added Neville, who reserved much of the blame for Woodward and the board. "Nobody above him can handle him. They don't know what to do with him, they don't know what to say to him. They don't know what he's going to say at every press conference. "It will cost a fortune to lose him now."

Jose Mourinho running out of time at Manchester United?

Manchester United tied down centre-back Chris Smalling to a new three-and-a-half-year contract on Saturday with an option to extend the deal for a further year.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce that Chris Smalling has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until June 2022, with the option to extend for a further year," the club said in a statement.

"This is my ninth season with the club and I am delighted to be continuing my progression with this team," said Smalling.

"It is a real honour to play for Manchester United and we are all now concentrating on the busy schedule of games throughout the festive period."

The 29-year-old has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and the Europa League in 307 appearances since joining from Fulham in 2010.

Smalling's previous deal ran out at the end of the season.

United manager Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to buy another centre-back, but welcomed the news of Smalling's stay.

"I am very happy Chris has signed a new contract," said Mourinho in a club statement.

"Chris has been with the club for a number of years and is now one of the senior players within our squad."

Manchester United tied down centre-back Chris Smalling to a new three-and-a-half-year contract on Saturday with an option to extend the deal for a further year. "Manchester United is delighted to announce that Chris Smalling has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until June 2022, with the option to extend for a further year," the club said in a statement.

Manchester United tied down centre-back Chris Smalling to a new three-and-a-half-year contract on Saturday with an option to extend the deal for a further year. "Manchester United is delighted to announce that Chris Smalling has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until June 2022, with the option to extend for a further year," the club said in a statement. "This is my ninth season with the club and I am delighted to be continuing my progression with this team," said Smalling. "It is a real honour to play for Manchester United and we are all now concentrating on the busy schedule of games throughout the festive period." The 29-year-old has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and the Europa League in 307 appearances since joining from Fulham in 2010. Smalling's previous deal ran out at the end of the season. United manager Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to buy another centre-back, but welcomed the news of Smalling's stay. "I am very happy Chris has signed a new contract," said Mourinho in a club statement. "Chris has been with the club for a number of years and is now one of the senior players within our squad."

Chris Smalling extends Manchester United contract to 2022

Liverpool may be top of the Premier League but Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said that it is trophies in the cabinet that count ahead of the sides' showdown at Anfield on Sunday.

Klopp's side remain the only unbeaten team in the league this season, but the German has yet to clinch an honour in his three years on Merseyside.

United languish 16 points behind their rivals in sixth place, but Mourinho led the Old Trafford outfit to Europa League and League Cup victories in his first season in Manchester in 2017.

"I think trophies matter, it matters, especially when you have the potential to fight for trophies and especially when you clearly say the objective is to win the trophy," the Portuguese told a news conference on Friday.

"I think Juergen told already they want to win the Premier League, is their objective," he added.

United travel to their rivals with a depleted squad after their injury list grew in their 2-1 defeat by Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Marcos Rojo was forced off at halftime, joining the likes of Victor Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez on the sidelines.

Defenders Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian and attacker Anthony Martial were all due to be assessed in training on Friday having missed the trip to Spain. Yet the manager has said that Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young are all set to start at Anfield.

United's last two trips to Anfield have resulted in goalless draws after Mourinho adopted an ultra cautious approach, yet the Portuguese said his side are capable of fighting for victory despite their injuries.

"We know that we are going to play against the leaders, against a team on a high, but we have our qualities, we have our potential," he said.

"Even with the problems we have and the doubts in terms of team choice, of tactics, approach, philosophy, we have doubts about everything.

"We are going to arrive with the players we have available and going to have a team capable of going there and fight for the victory."

Liverpool are looking to pick up a sixth successive victory in the league. However, Klopp has yet to get the better of Mourinho's United having not beaten them since the Portuguese took charge in 2016, drawing three and losing once.

The fixture is never short of drama and Mourinho usually enjoys the big occasion as an underdog, as he showed in last month's impressive 2-1 victory over Juventus in Turin.

Liverpool may be top of the Premier League but Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said that it is trophies in the cabinet that count ahead of the sides' showdown at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool may be top of the Premier League but Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said that it is trophies in the cabinet that count ahead of the sides' showdown at Anfield on Sunday. Klopp's side remain the only unbeaten team in the league this season, but the German has yet to clinch an honour in his three years on Merseyside. United languish 16 points behind their rivals in sixth place, but Mourinho led the Old Trafford outfit to Europa League and League Cup victories in his first season in Manchester in 2017. "I think trophies matter, it matters, especially when you have the potential to fight for trophies and especially when you clearly say the objective is to win the trophy," the Portuguese told a news conference on Friday. "I think Juergen told already they want to win the Premier League, is their objective," he added. United travel to their rivals with a depleted squad after their injury list grew in their 2-1 defeat by Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday. Marcos Rojo was forced off at halftime, joining the likes of Victor Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez on the sidelines. Defenders Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian and attacker Anthony Martial were all due to be assessed in training on Friday having missed the trip to Spain. Yet the manager has said that Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young are all set to start at Anfield. United's last two trips to Anfield have resulted in goalless draws after Mourinho adopted an ultra cautious approach, yet the Portuguese said his side are capable of fighting for victory despite their injuries. "We know that we are going to play against the leaders, against a team on a high, but we have our qualities, we have our potential," he said. "Even with the problems we have and the doubts in terms of team choice, of tactics, approach, philosophy, we have doubts about everything. "We are going to arrive with the players we have available and going to have a team capable of going there and fight for the victory." Liverpool are looking to pick up a sixth successive victory in the league. However, Klopp has yet to get the better of Mourinho's United having not beaten them since the Portuguese took charge in 2016, drawing three and losing once. The fixture is never short of drama and Mourinho usually enjoys the big occasion as an underdog, as he showed in last month's impressive 2-1 victory over Juventus in Turin.

Trophies matter, insists Jose Mourinho ahead of Liverpool clash

Manchester United manager <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=Jose+Mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> has demanded more from his players after his side missed the chance to finish top of its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=champions+league">Champions League</a> group.

United lost 2-1 at Valencia on Wednesday, with an embarrassing own-goal by Phil Jones.

Mourinho got a chance to rotate his squad as United went into the final Group H match having already qualified for the last 16 of the competition.

While he found a little comfort in the players' performance that lacked energy and drive.

With first-place Juventus losing 2-1 at Young Boys, United could have jumped above the Italian team in Group H with a win at the Mestalla but Mourinho's decision to play a virtual reserve lineup backfired.

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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a> boss has given his thoughts on tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> game...
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The frustrated manager said that he expects more from the players.

"My team improved really when I made the changes that I didn't want to make which is a little bit of frustration because I didn't want to play the three players that I played in the second half,'' said Mourinho.

"I think that to qualify in this group is a success. Never a failure to finish second in this group is always a success," added the Portuguese.

Paul Pogba returned to the starting side after being benched for the last two Premier League games but the French international midfielder failed to seize his opportunity.

United then introduced striker Marcus Rashford, and midfielders Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young as they chased the game after falling 2-0 behind.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has demanded more from his players after his side missed the chance to finish top of its Champions League group. United lost 2-1 at Valencia on Wednesday, with an embarrassing own-goal by Phil Jones.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has demanded more from his players after his side missed the chance to finish top of its Champions League group. United lost 2-1 at Valencia on Wednesday, with an embarrassing own-goal by Phil Jones. Mourinho got a chance to rotate his squad as United went into the final Group H match having already qualified for the last 16 of the competition. While he found a little comfort in the players' performance that lacked energy and drive. With first-place Juventus losing 2-1 at Young Boys, United could have jumped above the Italian team in Group H with a win at the Mestalla but Mourinho's decision to play a virtual reserve lineup backfired. The #MUFC boss has given his thoughts on tonight's #UCL game... — Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2018 × The frustrated manager said that he expects more from the players. "My team improved really when I made the changes that I didn't want to make which is a little bit of frustration because I didn't want to play the three players that I played in the second half,'' said Mourinho. "I think that to qualify in this group is a success. Never a failure to finish second in this group is always a success," added the Portuguese. Paul Pogba returned to the starting side after being benched for the last two Premier League games but the French international midfielder failed to seize his opportunity. United then introduced striker Marcus Rashford, and midfielders Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young as they chased the game after falling 2-0 behind.

UCL: Jose Mourinho expresses frustration with starting eleven after losing to Valencia

Manchester United earned their first Premier League win in five games with a comfortable 4-1 victory over bottom side Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday.

With record signing Paul Pogba on the bench once more, United wasted no time in finding their rhythm, as Ashley Young scored his first goal in all competitons for United since 2017 to break the deadlock in the 13th minute.

Juan Mata stroked home a second to score his 50th Premier League goal in the 28th minute, before Romelu Lukaku scored his first home goal since March to make it 3-0 before halftime.

Coming into the encounter with a negative goal difference, United were in need of a confidence-building performance and a contest against the Premier League's most porous defence was just what the doctor ordered.

Fulham remained under the cosh after the break but managed a consolation through Aboubakar Kamara's penalty.

But Andre-Frank Anguissa was sent off for Fulham before Marcus Rashford scored a fourth late on to complete a miserable afternoon for Claudio Ranieri's strugglers.

A first three points in the league since early November ensured United climbed to sixth, seven points off the top four, with Chelsea in fifth not in action until later on Saturday.

Fulham remain bottom, three points from the safety zone.

"The players have shown they can be a better team than they are," manager Jose Mourinho said. "At times it was beautiful football. The first half was perfect. We were really good. We needed it."

Lukaku's inclusion was one of four changes to the side that drew against Arsenal in midweek, meaning Mourinho has made 50 changes to his starting line-up already this season.

One of those other changes, Young, got the ball rolling, nutmegging his marker to slot home, before an equally fine finish from Mata saw him reach his goalscoring half century.

Fulham goalkeeper Sergio Rico was then called into a action once more, keeping out a fierce Rashford strike, before Mata cut the ball back for Lukuku to score his first Old Trafford goal in 997 minutes in all competitions.

"The first half was only Manchester United with powerful qualities," Ranieri said. "Second half was much better. We had the desire to do our best."

After the break, Ander Herrera missed a glorious chance to make it four, before the Spaniard felled Kamara in the box to concede a penalty, which Kamara converted with ease.

Anguissa's red card after earning his second yellow made things yet more difficult for Fulham, before Rashford completed the rout eight minutes from time, squeezing his effort in at the near post.

Manchester United earned their first Premier League win in five games with a comfortable 4-1 victory over bottom side Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday. With record signing Paul Pogba on the bench once more, United wasted no time in finding their rhythm, as Ashley Young scored his first goal in all competitons for United since 2017 to break the deadlock in the 13th minute.

Manchester United earned their first Premier League win in five games with a comfortable 4-1 victory over bottom side Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday. With record signing Paul Pogba on the bench once more, United wasted no time in finding their rhythm, as Ashley Young scored his first goal in all competitons for United since 2017 to break the deadlock in the 13th minute. Juan Mata stroked home a second to score his 50th Premier League goal in the 28th minute, before Romelu Lukaku scored his first home goal since March to make it 3-0 before halftime. Coming into the encounter with a negative goal difference, United were in need of a confidence-building performance and a contest against the Premier League's most porous defence was just what the doctor ordered. Fulham remained under the cosh after the break but managed a consolation through Aboubakar Kamara's penalty. But Andre-Frank Anguissa was sent off for Fulham before Marcus Rashford scored a fourth late on to complete a miserable afternoon for Claudio Ranieri's strugglers. A first three points in the league since early November ensured United climbed to sixth, seven points off the top four, with Chelsea in fifth not in action until later on Saturday. Fulham remain bottom, three points from the safety zone. "The players have shown they can be a better team than they are," manager Jose Mourinho said. "At times it was beautiful football. The first half was perfect. We were really good. We needed it." Lukaku's inclusion was one of four changes to the side that drew against Arsenal in midweek, meaning Mourinho has made 50 changes to his starting line-up already this season. One of those other changes, Young, got the ball rolling, nutmegging his marker to slot home, before an equally fine finish from Mata saw him reach his goalscoring half century. Fulham goalkeeper Sergio Rico was then called into a action once more, keeping out a fierce Rashford strike, before Mata cut the ball back for Lukuku to score his first Old Trafford goal in 997 minutes in all competitions. "The first half was only Manchester United with powerful qualities," Ranieri said. "Second half was much better. We had the desire to do our best." After the break, Ander Herrera missed a glorious chance to make it four, before the Spaniard felled Kamara in the box to concede a penalty, which Kamara converted with ease. Anguissa's red card after earning his second yellow made things yet more difficult for Fulham, before Rashford completed the rout eight minutes from time, squeezing his effort in at the near post.

Manchester United crush Fulham for first league win in five games

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