In the aftermath of a draw against West Ham in which Jose Mourinho was sent off yet again, meaning he now has more sending offs than wins at Old Trafford, assistant manager Rui Faria told the media:
“I have nothing to say about the referee’s decision [to send Mourinho off]… I think everyone saw again, we were the best team on the pitch. We didn’t have any tactical issues during the game… We are showing that we are a strong side and we create chances that in a normal way should be goals and we should win the game in a comfortable way. Okay it isn’t happening and we are getting frustrated at that but we need to keep at it and it will happen… We knew it was not an easy job and we have had to change a few things and this is what we are going to keep doing. We believe in the players and we believe in the team and what we are changing will arrive for sure. We knew that we had a lot of work in front and it’s what we are doing. It’s a big club.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the saviour for United after Diafra Sakho opened the scoring in just the second minute, but the Red Devils could not find a breakthrough to win the tie.
Reported United target Antoine Griezmann has added fuel to the fire that he may depart Atletico Madrid for Manchester by telling French news outlet Telefoot:
“I cannot go to Real — there is a pact between the two clubs that prohibits a transfer. At Barca, there is no pact but their front three are indispensable. PSG? It is an interesting possibility but Ligue 1 does not interest me for now. I would prefer to stay in La Liga or go to the Premier League.”
One of La Liga’s top scorers in all of his time at Atletico, the Frenchman has a close friendship with United midfielder Paul Pogba and could be open on becoming the club’s new talisman.
However, in January, the club’s priority will be Benfica defender Victor Lindelof according to Sky Sports. The 22-year-old has attracted attention from all over Europe with his performances but sources suggest that he will only leave the Portuguese club in the middle of the season if they fail to qualify for the knock out stages of the Champions League.
Mourinho is known to be desperate to add to his defence, which is lacking in depth and experience, and Lindelof could be the perfect candidate for a long-term solution.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by Serg Hoholok.