What the papers say
Sir Alex Ferguson: Manchester United's Class of 92 never let me down – video
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson unveiled the new Salford City FC ground this weekend after being invited by some of his students from the Class of 92. The club is part owned by Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and brothers Phil and Gary Neville
Continue reading...Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action
Arsène Wenger must continue with golden front trio; Christopher Schindler was a great buy for Huddersfield; Manchester City defence is as key as their attack
This was the first time Arsène Wenger had started Mesut Özil, Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sánchez in his XI. Yet until Everton went down to 10 men Arsenal were hardly a goal machine, having struggled to a 2-1 lead when Idrissa Gueye was sent off. At this point Özil was on the scoresheet, and by the final whistle Lacazette and Sánchez had also registered. Wenger, of course, cannot rely on the opposition having a man getting his marching orders every game. But even before this happened there was cause for optimism: Sánchez created Özil’s strike while Lacazette, on occasion, provide a focal point for the Chilean and German. Everton are in freefall so a better test of how effective this trio can be will come when Arsenal visit Manchester City on 5 November. Wenger surely must trust them to start or any chance of beating City in their own backyard will be seriously reduced. Jamie Jackson
Related: Ronald Koeman not bowing to pressure at Everton despite Arsenal humiliation
Related: Dejan Lovren and Liverpool introduce us to the art of un-defending | Barney Ronay
Related: Mourinho rages at Manchester United players’ attitude after Huddersfield loss
Related: The Dozen: the weekend’s best Premier League photos
We'v been through a lot these past few years but there's now a positive vibe around the place
Continue reading...David Wagner orchestrating a powerful sense of purpose at Huddersfield | Paul Doyle
This was only one match but it supplied further evidence to support two convictions. Firstly, Huddersfield Town are a good bet to remain in the Premier League under David Wagner. Secondly, Manchester United are a long shot to win the Premier League this season under José Mourinho.
Huddersfield’s rise from 18th in the Championship – the position they were in when Wagner was appointed less than two years ago – has been encapsulated in a two-word hashtag often used by the club and their fans and inspired by the manager’s rousing discourse: #NoLimits. Mourinho’s approach, by contrast, imposes limits on United. That has been clear on their travels this season, most blatantly at Anfield last week; and when challenged to go beyond those limits at Huddersfield, they fell short.
Related: Huddersfield send Manchester United crashing to first Premier League defeat
Continue reading...The Dozen: the weekend’s best Premier League photos
Your weekend roundup of the best photography from England’s top flight
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Continue reading...Mourinho rages at Manchester United players’ attitude after Huddersfield loss
• Manager condemns Ander Herrera for comments after 2-1 defeat
José Mourinho turned on his Manchester United players after watching them go down to a shock 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield Town and said he could not remember another match since he joined the club where the attitude of his team had been so poor.
Related: Huddersfield send Manchester United crashing to first Premier League defeat
Continue reading...Mourinho questions Manchester United attitude after loss to Huddersfield – video
The Manchester United manager, José Mourinho, questions the attitude of his players following the 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield on Saturday. 'You cannot lose football matches because the opponent had a better attitude,' says Mourinho. It is the first league defeat of the season for United
Continue reading...Huddersfield send Manchester United crashing to first Premier League defeat
They gave everything to see it out. They were quick to the ball, strong in the challenge and absolutely determined not to let there to be a dramatic late twist. And, finally, Huddersfield Town could soak in the euphoria of a win against Manchester United, their first since March 1952, and one of those rare occasions when their supporters must have felt like the blood in their veins had been converted to red wine.
The last time they managed this came just a few weeks after Elizabeth II was pronounced queen, in the same year that London was covered with smog and some bright-spark at the New Musical Express had the idea of printing a Top 40. From a football perspective, this will go straight in at No1 for many Huddersfield supporters. They were great scenes at the final whistle and, on this evidence, they surely must believe they have the ability to make sure their first-ever season in the Premier League is just not remembered as a year of sightseeing.
Related: Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero equals scoring mark in win against Burnley
Related: Chelsea’s César Azpilicueta makes Watford pay for misses in thriller
Continue reading...Huddersfield Town v Manchester United: match preview
Huddersfield, eager to arrest a decline that has seen them take one point from their past five matches, were walloped 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in their last home game but that does not mean they will park the bus against their latest illustrious visitors. That tends not to be how David Wagner operates, especially with top scorer Steve Mounié available. But the hosts are still likely to spend much of this game on the back foot against Manchester United, who surely will not be as timid as they were last week at Anfield. Paul Doyle
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Continue reading...José Mourinho expects Zlatan Ibrahimovic to return from injury in December
• Marcus Rashford fit to face Huddersfield on Saturday, Mourinho reports
José Mourinho believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic could return in December and has said Marcus Rashford is available for Manchester United’s trip to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Ibrahimovic is recovering from a serious knee injury and has not played since 20 April. Rashford suffered a minor knee problem in Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Benfica in the Champions League.
Related: Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Continue reading...A brief history of José Mourinho and Manchester United injuries – video
The Manchester United manager, José Mourinho, accuses his managerial counterparts of 'crying' about injuries and denies he would do anything of the sort. However, on analysis there is plenty of evidence to counter Mourinho's claim
Continue reading...A flirt, four points and a barb: a classic José Mourinho week but why now? | Jamie Jackson
A creditable goalless draw at Liverpool, a solid away win in the Champions League at Benfica, an is-he-or-isn’t-he flirtation with Paris Saint-Germain, a refusal to commit his long-term future to Manchester United and, finally, a hand grenade lobbed towards those managers who “cry about injuries” unlike him.
Related: Chelsea’s Antonio Conte hits back at Mourinho barb after draw with Roma
Continue reading...José Mourinho and Antonio Conte exchange barbs – video
José Mourinho and Antonio Conte exchange some tense words on Wednesday following Manchester United's win over Benfica and Chelsea's draw with Roma in the Champions League. Mourinho says other managers are quick to bemoan injuries and argues he does not 'cry' when players are hurt. Conte suggests the Portuguese should concentrate on his own team
Continue reading...Rashford preys on Benfica keeper’s error for Manchester United winner
This was an uneven Manchester United display lit up by the stellar talent of Marcus Rashford.José Mourinho’s team were heading for a draw or worse until the teenager took hold of this Group A game following the break. Rashford had been terrorising Benfica with his pace when he stepped up to take a free-kick from 40 yards out on the left touchline.
The United striker spotted Mile Svilar, who became the youngest ever goalkeeper to start in the Champions League, out of position, promptly hit the ball over him and though the 18-year-old caught it, he failed to keep it from crossing the line to gift the visitors victory.
Related: Benfica v Manchester United: Champions League –as it happened
Continue reading...Benfica v Manchester United: Champions League – live!
- Champions League updates from the 7.45pm BST kick-off in Lisbon
- And you can mail paul.doyle@theguardian.com or tweet @Paul_Doyle
7.02pm BST
The 18-year-old Belgian Mile Svilar becomes the youngest goalkeeper to start a Champions League match, beating the record previously held by Iker Casillas, currently of Benfica’s arch-rivals, Porto. Meanwhile, United give another European start to Lindelof, who has yet to start a Premier League game.
Benfica: Svilar; Douglas, Rúben Dias, Luisão, Grimaldo; Fejsa, Filipe Augusto, Pizzi; Salvio, Diogo Gonçalves; Raúl
5.10pm BST
Hello. Manchester United have reaped maximum points from their first two group-stage matches so if they win today in Portugal, they will take a large step towards reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since the glory, glory days of David Moyes. And since Benfica are no Liverpool, Jose Mourinho might actually go for that win.
Benfica need to win even more because they were clobbered in their open two matches - including 5-0 by Basel - so they will more than likely need to take at least four points from their two meetings with United if they are to fatten up their scrawny hopes of making this the year that Bela Guttmann’s curse is finally lifted. Mind you, their struggles have little to do with any hex, more with the summer sales of many of their top players, including Victor Lindelof to United.
Continue reading...Mourinho discusses reports regarding his Manchester United future – video
Speaking before his Manchester United side's Champions League match against Benfica, José Mourinho posited that the British media had taken comments he made about his future out of context. Mourinho claimed that Arsène Wenger is the last manager who'll last at a club at the top level for a long period of time, blaming the outside pressures of the job
Continue reading...José Mourinho refuses to commit his long-term future to Manchester United
• He signed a three-year deal when becoming manager in 2016
José Mourinho has refused to commit his long-term future to Manchester United, with the manager stating that in football, the “future is tomorrow”.
The Portuguese is nearing the halfway point of a three-year contract signed in 2016, yet despite this meaning he enters its final year next summer, Mourinho is not currently prepared to commit to staying on any further.
Continue reading...Dejan Lovren accuses Romelu Lukaku of deliberately kicking him in the face
• FA backs referee in deciding Lukaku should not face any action
Dejan Lovren has made the startling claim that Romelu Lukaku deliberately kicked him in the face during Liverpool’s goalless draw against Manchester United.
The Croatia international made the accusation in Slovenia, where Liverpool are preparing for Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Maribor, after it was confirmed Lukaku will face no action over a seemingly accidental collision between the pair on Saturday.
Related: José Mourinho wants big pay rise at Manchester United to sign new contract
Continue reading...José Mourinho wants big pay rise at Manchester United to sign new contract
• Mourinho not seeking move but wants deal to reflect success at Old Trafford
• Manager, who earns around £15m a year, won two trophies last season
José Mourinho is minded to sign a new contract at Manchester United but will do so only if he believes the terms reflect his achievements at the club and its current status under him.
The manager is almost halfway through the three-year deal he agreed in summer 2016. In his first season at United Mourinho won two major trophies, the EFL Cup and Europa League. Claiming the latter ensured the club returned to the Champions League after his predecessor, Louis van Gaal, could guide the side only to fifth place.
Related: José Mourinho heaps praise on the ‘special’ ones at Paris Saint-Germain
Continue reading...Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action
Manchester City resemble the girl with a curl in the middle of her forehead, N’Golo Kanté’s return to Leicester shows Wilfred Ndidi what needs to be done and David Moyes regrets catching the bullet dodged by Mark Hughes
This time last year Southampton paid £4m to sign Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers. It was a while before he made an impact, but he certainly made an impact during the early part of this season, scoring nine goals in 19 games. But Southampton’s form has tailed off since Austin suffered a shoulder injury last month. They have lacked a cutting edge and have won only three of their past nine games in all competitions, sinking into the bottom half of the league in the process. Shane Long has rarely been prolific, Jay Rodriguez is still regaining his sharpness after his injury problems and Nathan Redmond is maturing. While Claude Puel’s side dominated for long spells against Burnley, a shortage of ruthlessness left them vulnerable and Joey Barton scored a late winner for the hosts. The outcome might have been different had Austin been available, but he is likely to be out until March. They may have to buy again. Jacob Steinberg
Related: Eden Hazard and Pedro provide answers for Chelsea in Diego Costa’s absence | Jacob Steinberg
Related: Jürgen Klopp’s diamond surprise tires under Manchester United pressure | Michael Cox
Related: Arsène Wenger aims to save Alexis Sánchez’s energy for tougher battles | Nick Miller
We need a lift and it's not just the players – it's everybody around the place
If you've got less points than games you're going to get relegated so you've got to start catching up
Continue reading...Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action
Anthony Knockaert could make the difference for Brighton, Pablo Zabaleta fed up with West Ham’s ill-discipline and Kevin de Bruyne is drawing more praise
Mark Hughes was in no doubt he had witnessed the favourites for the title. “Clearly I would say that after being beaten 7-2 but they do look significantly better than anybody else in the league in terms of our experience,” he said. Of City’s potential rivals Hughes has guided Stoke to a 1-0 win over Arsenal, a 2-2 draw with Manchester United and endured a 4-0 home reverse against Chelsea. “We’ve faced Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United and we’ve acquitted ourselves fine. But they were just very clinical. The difference was De Bruyne’s understanding of what needed to be done. The quality of his passing, the weight of his passes and his understanding of the angles in terms of releasing people. You can see the reaction of his team-mates. As soon as he gets on the ball they expect him to put the right ball in at the right moment with the right pace. That’s the influence that he has on the team.” Jamie Jackson
Related: Unhappy Antonio Conte questions Chelsea’s ability to defend their title
Related: Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku insists he is no flat-track bully
Related: Harry Kane threatens to transcend Tottenham as Ronaldo showdown looms | David Hytner
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