Rash has Scot nod
MOURINHO’S REFLOATED A SINKING SHIP
STOCKHOLM’S top tourist attraction is the Vasa warship, which dates back to the 1620s.
The Vasa is Sweden’s Mary Rose and it was salvaged in 1961 after sinking on its maiden voyage just outside Stockholm harbour.
It has been lovingly restored and is the only virtually intact 17th-century vessel in the world.
Jose Mourinho has a similar job on his hands as he tries to restore Manchester United to the pinnacle of English and European football.
Winning the Europa League and EFL Cup is a significant first step, but United’s disappointing sixthplace finish shows they need more rebuilding despite spending millions over the last few summers.
The presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (above) on crutches on the touchline, as United warmed up, was a reminder that they need to replace his goals next season. That is top of Mourinho and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward’s summer to-do list and they are trying to lure Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann (top) to Old Trafford.
They are willing to activate Griezmann’s 100million euro escape clause – around £86m – to sharpen their cutting edge.
Mourinho also wants Burnley’s Michael Keane (above), feeling he would complement Eric Bailly well.
The boss can point to progress this season – two trophies suggest their winning mentality is returning.
But the Portuguese still has work to do to restore United to former glories when it was the Premier League and Champions League trophies in their trophy cabinet. MARCUS RASHFORD will be picked for England today – but could miss next month’s Euro Under-21 Finals.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is naming his squad for England’s World Cup qualifier in Scotland on June 10 and the friendly in France three days later.
He sees 19-year-old striker Rashford as a member of the seniors and Manchester United chief Jose Mourinho is keen to stop him suffering burnout by playing for the Under-21s in Poland this summer.
Southgate is set to recall Stoke’s fit-again keeper Jack Butland in his squad, and Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs could be in with Luke Shaw and Danny Rose both out.
England are set to lose Liverpool’s injured duo of Nathaniel Clyne and Daniel Sturridge, with Burnley’s Michael Keane also a doubt.