Bangkok Post

United primed to put sword to faltering Stoke

Rooney’s role remains a dilemma for Mourinho

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MANCHESTER: Manchester United appear to averted the crisis that was developing in the wake of a recent run of three successive defeats, but there is still plenty of room for improvemen­t at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho questioned the personalit­y of his players after they lost 3-1 at Watford two weekends ago and the Portuguese displayed some of the haunted look that characteri­sed his fateful last few months at Chelsea.

However, three straight wins across three competitio­ns since have gone some way to lightening the mood and last Saturday’s 4-1 Premier League win over champions Leicester was particular­ly emphatic, and means that United sit in the top six as they prepare to host winless Stoke today.

Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League group-stage win over Ukrainian minnows Zorya Luhansk was rather less impressive, but it did at least demonstrat­e that Mourinho’s ability to dig out scrappy victories appears to have returned following his troubles at Chelsea last season.

An ability to grind out positive results under pressure may be vital, given that United have testing league trips to Liverpool and Chelsea during October, as well as a Europa League meeting with Turkish club Fenerbahce.

“Every game is massive,” Mourinho said. “Watford was massive. We lost three points against Watford. No different to the three points we lost against Manchester City. So every game for me is important. You’re right, we have some big opponents in October. But that’s also a motivation.”

The biggest question Mourinho has faced since taking charge at Old Trafford in May is what to do about Wayne Rooney.

There is little doubt that the England captain’s powers are on the wane and his performanc­es this season have been poor.

Mourinho has responded by using Rooney only as a substitute for the last two matches. The forward was given just seven minutes against Leicester, but had slightly longer on Thursday and did at least claim an inadverten­t assist, with his mis-hit shot bouncing up for Zlatan Ibrahimovi­c to head in.

Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford have taken the three attacking roles behind Ibrahimovi­c for the last two matches, and may well be selected again to face Stoke, although Anthony Martial is another contender.

Midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is back in training after a thigh problem, although defender Luke Shaw will be assessed after missing Thursday’s match because of illness.

With a relatively stable squad to pick from, Mourinho’s concern is ensuring that Stoke do not catch his team by surprise.

He said: “I’m sure that in the end of May, they will be in the ‘Stoke area’ in the table. They will be there. The table is just a moment, just a period, and they will get over it for sure.”

Stoke are still looking for a first victory of the season while their captain, Ryan Shawcross, will come face to face with the man who wrecked his one chance in internatio­nal football.

Ibrahimovi­c scored four goals for Sweden against England in 2012 including three during Shawcross’s 15-minute appearance as a substitute.

That was the defender’s only internatio­nal appearance to date and Stoke manager Mark Hughes has called on his skipper to prove a point at Old Trafford.

“He’s had to carry those moments for a very long time,” said Hughes.

“Clearly it’s affected people’s view of him as a potential internatio­nal on a more regular basis.

“It’s an opportunit­y to maybe put to bed a few issues and ghosts from the past — let’s hope he has a good performanc­e.

“There’s no reason why he shouldn’t, he’s getting back to form.

“But clearly Zlatan is an outstandin­g player who’s come to these shores late in his career but it doesn’t look like any of his talent has waned.

“Ryan’s a big personalit­y and a big player. I think he’ll relish the opportunit­y. Why wouldn’t he?”

 ??  ?? Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, left, and Zlatan Ibrahimovi­c after the match against Zorya Luhansk.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, left, and Zlatan Ibrahimovi­c after the match against Zorya Luhansk.
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