Europa League Final: Mourinho’s Already Decided The Playing XI

Jose Mourinho already has his Europa League final team in mind

With the final of the Europa League right around the corner, Stockholm is less than two weeks away, and Jose Mourinho seems to have already picked his playing XI.

As per the club’s official website, Jose Mourinho has admitted to the fact that he already has his Europa League final team in mind. The United Manager is still set to rotate his players for the remainder of the season, despite losing 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

The Portuguese revealed that different players have to be rested at different times in order to prepare for the showpiece clash. Also, Daley Blind is said to be the next player to be given a break, having played a number of matches in a short period of time.

Mourinho stated in his post-match press conference on Sunday: “The most important thing for us is no injuries and some people having a proper rest. Blind had to play 90 minutes, but the next match is for Blind to rest and we have to go like this, step by step, to rest people.”

Though the United boss appears to have picked up the team to face Ajax in the final, Mourinho would still be seeing the overall performances of his players in order to send his best XI for the clash.

“I will analyse the individual performances of the players and try to understand who can give me a little bit more for the final. Of course I have in my mind already what I think is going to be the team, but the players can influence decisions with positive or negative performances.”

United mathematically crashed out of the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League on Sunday, as they fell seven points behind Manchester City, and eight behind Liverpool with just two games left.

However, Mourinho believes that winning more trophies along with qualifying for the Champions League next season is the club’s priority, and winning the Europa League is the way to go.

“I don’t know other clubs, I don’t know the way they think, I don’t know what is important for them, but we, Manchester United, feel it is more important to win trophies than to finish in the top four,” Jose claimed.

“We know what we are doing and if we can win a third trophy it would be magnificent for us because we know that it’s a big objective.

“We know that if we lose the final we won’t play in the Champions League next season. We know that, but we fight for trophies and probably other clubs finishing in the top four would like to be in our position to try and fight for the trophy.”

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Rooney’s Departure To Boost Griezmann’s Man United Move

Griezmann’s arrival is said to be boosted by some major financial alterations

Manchester United are said to be the frontrunners for the signature of Antoine Griezmann, and with a salary of £15 million and the number seven jersey all but guaranteed, Griezmann is expected to play for the Red Devils next season.

To fulfill the existing clause of €100 million in the contract signed by the French striker with Atletico Madrid last June, United are set to bring out the big bucks, and pretty much make Griezmann the highlight spending at Old Trafford in the coming transfer window.

The massive clause, which was supposed to keep the Frenchman at the Vicente Calderon for the next five years, may just turn out to be a way of generating a big transfer income for the Rojiblancos.

As per Independent, Griezmann’s arrival is said to be boosted by some major financial alterations in the form of prospective departures of Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Ashley Young, and Marouane Fellaini.

It is also being claimed that the United skipper would be given a dignified send-off at the end of the season, along with Young and Fellaini. And with Mourinho’s relationship with Martial believed to have gone a little sour lately, the United number 11 may also end up on the transfer list in the coming transfer season.

Manchester United’s entry into the Champions League will also be a major financial factor for uplifting their chances of bringing in Griezmann, as the cumulative bill for the missed seasons is calculated to be around £120 million.

Moreover, if Mourinho fails to lead the Red Devils into the glorious European competition, Adidas will also be reportedly withholding £21 million for the failure.

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Premier League Return ‘More Than Likely’ For Joe Hart

Hart had been City’s undisputed first choice goalkeeper since 2007

Joe Hart is really hopeful for a return to the Premier League next season.

As per Sky Sports, in a recent interview with Soccer AM’s Tubes, the Torino stopper clearly stated that his return to England’s top competition is “more than likely,” when he was asked about his chances to once again play in the Premier League.

He was quoted as saying: “More than likely, I’d say, but that’s me with no knowledge, I’ve got no firm contact with anybody, but whatever I’m doing I’d love to be permanent where I go. If it’s back at Manchester City – which I don’t see happening – then great, but other than that, another loan at my age I don’t think is the right thing for me.”

After Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the club this season, Hart, who had been City’s undisputed first choice goalkeeper since 2007, was dropped to be replaced by former Barcelona stopper Claudio Bravo.

The England international also mentioned about football being a game of opinions, and that the City boss simply had some different ideas. Nonetheless, Hart clearly stated that he had absolutely no ill feelings for Guardiola.

“It was a strange situation; it feels like years and years ago now, because I don’t feel a part of it so much anymore. I’m a player, I give my heart, soul and passion into the team I’m playing for, and at the moment that team isn’t Manchester City,” the Englishman added.

“The manager didn’t want me, so I had to find somewhere else. We obviously had different ideas, the manager who came in came in with a lot of experience, a lot of medals, and I know the club worked really hard to get him. Unfortunately, football is a game of opinions, his opinion isn’t great of me and I kind of smelt that when I came in.

“I think I did, but that’s life, that’s football. He was good to me, he was clear, honest, and I hold nothing against the guy.”

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Has Alvaro Morata Confirmed His Transfer To Chelsea?

The striker too has been on Blues’ radar for quite some time now

Alvaro Morata has been linked with a move to almost every single European Heavyweight, be it Manchester United, Arsenal, Juventus, or even the powerhouses from the Chinese Super League. 

However, it now seems as if the striker himself has chosen the club he wants to play for next season.

The Spanish international has reportedly been connected to Chelsea, and may move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Morata’s fiancee, Alice Campbell, seems to have already bought a house in London, thereby making it quite evident that the Real Madrid man is set for a move to the Blues.

The striker has been on Blues’ radar for quite some time now, and Morata himself revealed in a recent interview that he had held talks with Antonio Conte as well as Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino last summer, over a potential move to the Premier League.

Also, the Spaniard has further hinted at his interest in joining Chelsea by following a number of their players on Instagram, viz. John Terry, Diego Costa, Willian, Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, Didier Drogba, and Cesc Fabregas.

The striker’s social media activity does hint at a potential transfer, but only time will tell whether the 24-year-old does end up reuniting with Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge come summer.

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Manchester United Make An Early Approach Towards Alvaro Morata

Jose Mourinho is said to be considering Morata as an option up front

Manchester United have been linked with a number of players in recent times, but nonetheless, the latest transfer news that has surrounded the club has been related to their interest in Real Madrid striker, Alvaro Morata.

According to MEN, Jose Mourinho is said to be considering Morata as an option up front, especially with Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to stay out of action for a long time. The Red Devils have made an approach for the Real Madrid forward as per the sources close to the player, but it’s still being considered as ‘early days’ at this stage.

The United manager had handed Morata his first team debut at Real Madrid back in 2010, and is now looking for a reunion with the 24-year-old. The Spaniard has, since then, reached three Champions League finals in four seasons, and has undoubtedly become one of the top strikers in world football.

But despite this, since his move back to Los Blancos, the Spaniard has struggled to gain regular first team action under Zinedine Zidane.

Morata has only started 18 games under Zidane, and made just 3 late substitute appearances in the Champions League knockout stages. Still, the striker has managed to take his tally to an impressive 20 goals, with only Cristiano Ronaldo having scored more goals for Madrid this season.

Nevertheless, if United hopes to sign the Spanish international, they will have to face some fierce competition from Chelsea as well, but their main concern at present remains returning to Europe’s premier competition.

Hence, beating Ajax in the Europa League final in order to qualify for the Champions League will go a long way for the Red Devils to achieve their objectives in the transfer market, and in the process, boost Mourinho’s pursuit of Morata.

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Sergio Romero To Be Mourinho’s First Choice Keeper For Europa League Final

Mourinho has chosen Sergio Romero over David De Gea for Europa League Final

Manchester United’s Champions League hopes hang in the balance with just one game left on their road to redemption. The Europa League final, scheduled to take place on 24th May in Stockholm, will decide the fate of the Red Devils for next season.

With all the drama that is anticipated for the Final, Jose Mourinho has reportedly chosen Sergio Romero over United’s star goalkeeper David De Gea to play in the showpiece fixture.

The Argentine goalkeeper has made a total of 26 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2015, out of which 14 have come in the Europa League, and the decision has more or less come as a reward for the former Sampdoria stopper for his role in helping United reach the final.

According to the statement published by the club’s official website, Mourinho said: “They are two fantastic goalkeepers. I never saw, in all my career, two goalkeepers who are such friends because it’s a position where you always have a little bit of rivalry, especially if they are both at the same kind of level.

“We are speaking about Argentina’s national goalkeeper and Spain’s national goalkeeper but they are such friends and support each other all the time. I have never seen a bad face. I have always seen them supporting each other.

“I think it’s fair Sergio is going to play in the final and David accepts that, especially because David has played three Europa League matches already – two against Fenerbahce and one against Feyenoord – and so if we win the trophy, David wins the trophy too. If everything goes normally, and we have no problems, Sergio plays in the final.”

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Manchester United Need To Be In The Champions League, Says Rio Ferdinand

Winning the Europa League a must for United

A Top 4 finish in the Premier League seems to be a far-fetched goal for Manchester United after the Red Devils lost 2-0 to Arsenal last Sunday. Despite having lost just 4 times from the 35 league games played, United still lie 6th in the table.

However, United are currently the favourites to win the Europa League, and having qualified for the final last night, the English club will face Ajax in the final at Stockholm. And as per one of the club’s legends, Rio Ferdinand, winning the Europa League is a must for United if they wish to play in the Champions League next season.

According to Ferdinand, a top 4 finish for the club seems highly unlikely, leaving Europa League as the only choice for the Reds. The ex-England international also stated that for United to bring in the top players in the summer transfer window, a lot would depend on their Champions League qualification.

Ferdinand stated on BT Sport (via Express): “The implications will be that if they are going for the top level players, top-tier players, the first question they will ask will be are they in the Champions League? Manchester United in that sense need to be in the Champions League.

“Also, this club with this stature, Champions League football is where they need to be sitting. Whether they get there through fourth, which I think is unlikely, or through the Europa League.

“As a player I would want a trophy and I’d be happier to get a trophy through the Europa League than being in the Champions League places.”

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Rooney’s Agent Spotted Leaving Jose Mourinho’s Hotel

Rooney has been repeatedly linked with a summer move away from Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney’s future has been under immense speculation since the start of the season under Jose Mourinho. And with the Manchester United captain’s agent, Paul Stretford, spotted leaving the Lowry hotel, things seem to have gotten a little more intense.

Mourinho, who has been staying at the Lowry Hotel since taking charge of the Red Devils, was also seen leaving the hotel moments before Stretford’s departure.

Rooney’s future is a big question mark not only for the veteran himself, but for the fans as well. Having started just 12 Premier League games this season, the Englishman has struggled to hold down a first team place.

The 31-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a summer move away from Old Trafford as well, possibly to the Chinese Super League, or back to Everton.

However, the question that still remains is what was the agent doing at the Lowry Hotel? Is Rooney’s time at the Theatre of Dreams up already? Or has the United boss struck a new deal with the skipper?

To everyone’s surprise, the scenario was purely a coincidence, with neither Stretford nor Mourinho aware of each other’s presence at the hotel. The two gentlemen had no meeting, and there was no discussion about Rooney’s future at Old Trafford whatsoever.

According to Mirror, Stretford’s spokesman reported that the agent was at the hotel on unrelated business.

“Paul was at a business meeting on entirely unconnected matters at The Lowry this morning. He did not meet, see or speak with Jose Mourinho at all while he was there,” the representative revealed.

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Stefano Pioli Sacked By Inter

Stefano Pioli has been sacked just after six months in charge of the club

Inter Milan have sacked their head coach Stefano Pioli after six months in charge of the club. The 51-year-old had taken charge after Frank de Boer was fired in November, and had signed a contract until the end of June 2018.

Nerazzurri have pick up just one point from their last six encounters under Pioli, and Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Stadio Luigi Ferraris against 16th-placed Genoa has left Inter in 7th place in the Serie A, nine points adrift of 5th placed Atalanta.

Hence, a winless run of seven games on the trot, and with only three games left for the season, Inter have decided to let Pioli go.

Stefano Vecchi has been appointed as interim manager for the time being, and will take charge of the first team for the remainder of the season. The current youth team coach had also taken charge of the club for a couple of games after De Boer’s departure, before the club appointed Pioli in November.

The statement issued on the club’s official website reads: “Inter thanks Stefano and his team for the dedication and hard work carried out at the club over the last six months in what has proven to be a difficult season. The club will begin planning now for the next season.”

As per several reports, Antonio Conte is already being linked to Inter for the managerial job, but the Nerazzurri have refused to comment on any such reports. The Serie A club is rumoured to be preparing an offer of nearly £250,000 a week for the current Chelsea boss if Conte leaves the Blues after one season.

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Dick Advocaat Appointed As Netherlands Coach For The Third Time

Dick Advocaat set to become Holland’s oldest national coach, surpassing Guus Hiddink

The Dutch Football Association has appointed Dick Advocaat to coach the Netherlands National Football side for the third time, along with Oranje legend Ruud Gullit as his number two.

Both the appointments were confirmed at a press conference in Zeist on Tuesday in a hope to lead the struggling team to next year’s World Cup in Russia. Advocaat succeeds Danny Blind, who was unable to lead the team to Euro 2016, and was sacked in March after a 2-0 defeat in Bulgaria.

Netherlands have already suffered two defeats in their opening five Group A games, and currently sit fourth in the pool, trailing to group leaders France by six points, while three and two points behind Sweden and Bulgaria respectively.

Advocaat, who turns 70 this September, has previously coached international sides including Russia, Belgium, and Serbia, as well as club teams including PSV Eindhoven, Glasgow Rangers, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Sunderland. He is set to become Holland’s oldest national coach, surpassing Guus Hiddink, who was 68 when he left the managerial post in June 2015.

Gullit, Advocaat’s appointed assistant, is an all-time Oranje great and a former Chelsea coach. The Dutch legend captained the Netherlands to the 1988 European Championship triumph – their only major tournament success.

According to FIFA, KNVB’s technical director Hans van Breukelen stated: “I am very happy with the appointment of Advocaat and Gullit. There were two scenarios. We opt for the longer term or we do everything that is possible to get to the 2018 World Cup. We chose the second scenario. It had to be a very experienced professional, preferably an authority.”

However, it remains to see what Advocaat will have in store for the fading Dutch side, with his first match in charge to be the team’s next World Cup qualifier, scheduled to take place against Luxembourg on 9th of June in Rotterdam.

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