United aim to build on formidable start

SWANSEA: Anthony Martial has warned Manchester United not to get carried away by their impressive start to the Premier League season as the leaders head to Swansea on Saturday.

An emphatic 4-0 victory over West Ham in their opening game suggested United have shaken off a tendency to draw matches they should be winning, putting them in good spirits for the trip to south Wales.

United were held to 15 league draws last season, more than any other team in the top division, and one of them was against Swansea at Old Trafford in April.

Jose Mourinho’s side look much better equipped now to deal with sides who sit deep and try to frustrate them; their attacking verve was too much for a defensively minded Hammers side last Sunday.

The British record £75 million ($96 million) fee paid to Everton for Romelu Lukaku already looks like money well spent, with the Belgium striker scoring twice on his league debut, while Nemanja Matic, a £40 million recruit from Chelsea, was outstanding in midfield.

Mourinho’s men look well set to improve on last season’s sixth place finish and the United manager has even spoken of a title challenge this season.

JOSE FOR EARLY CLOSE TO TRANSFER WINDOW

MANCHESTER: Mourinho has backed calls for the Premier League to close its transfer window before the season starts, rather than at the end of August.

Several English top-flight clubs have called for the move in order to minimise disruption once the season gets under way and they are due to vote on the proposal at the start of next month.

It would put the Premier League at odds with the rest of Europe, but Mourinho played down the threat of European clubs poaching players without the selling clubs having time to sign replacements.