LUKAKU BACK TO END GOAL DROUGHT
SIMON FRANCIS aims to pile the pressure back on Jose Mourinho tomorrow after telling boyhood heroes Manchester United: We don’t fear you any more.
United travel to Bournemouth looking to continue their recent mini revival, which has temporarily taken the spotlight off their boss. But Cherries skipper Francis, 33, who grew up as an United fan, reckons his side are favourites to win. He said: “There is certainly no fear factor. The form book would say we might be favourites going into the game.
“I don’t think we see it as a free hit any more, these kinds of games, because we believe we can beat them.
“With the points we have accumulated so far even if we lose to Man United, people might think, it’s OK they have had a good start to the season, but we don’t see it like that.
“Even in our first season when we played the big teams nobody would back us to get any points, but this is our fourth season and we have come a long way.
“These games are the ones we can grab by the scruff of the neck and take to Man United.
“The lads will be raring to go, are looking forward to every Premier League game and why not? We are on good form.
“We will be at it from the start, pressing high and trying to win the ball back to give the fans something to get excited about.”
Bournemouth are flying high in sixth place in the table after making their best-ever start to a Premier League season.
The South Coast side had just been relegated to League Two when United won their last Champions League title in 2008.
Now they are three points ahead of Mourinho’s men, having won more games, scored more goals and conceded fewer.
Despite his confidence, Francis knows the Red Devils cannot be taken lightly, saying: “It is still Manchester ROMELU LUKAKU is set to be recalled to Manchester United’s starting line-up for tomorrow’s trip to Bournemouth.
The striker, without a goal in his last nine appearances for United, was dropped for last weekend’s 2-1 win at home to Everton. Marcus Rashford took Lukaku’s place up front (left), but made way for the £75million Belgium star after an underwhelming 65-minute contribution. Jose Mourinho is understood to be ready to recall Lukaku for the lunchtime clash with the high-flying
United so we cannot underestimate them.
“They have been hitting a bit more form over the last couple of weeks and have some players we are going to have to be wary of.
“On their day they still have world-class players, so we will have to be every bit as good as we have been.
“But we have got our home Cherries, who are currently sixth in the Premier League – three points ahead of United.
Mourinho felt Lukaku, who had started all but one of United’s Premier League games this term until the Everton match, needed a break from the mental and physical demands of leading the attack.
But the 25-year-old is said to have responded well to being rested and is desperate to reclaim his starting berth, most likely replacing Rashford.
Anthony Martial, with four goals in his last four United games, has made himself undroppable, while Juan Mata is back in favour after some impressive recent displays. United form behind us. We are still unbeaten at home, so Saturday is a huge game.”
United’s struggling striker Romelu Lukaku has scored eight goals in seven games against Bournemouth.
Francis said: “I am sure he will be champing at the bit to play. He has been a bit out of form, but you cannot underestimate these players or these teams.”
Whatever the outcome, Francis will be in for some stick – over his pink boots.
He added: “I’ve had that off just about everyone, even my kids and wife.
“It is just how we are contracted by the brand so if you want to get paid, you have to wear them.
“They are very soft and comfortable, but they are pink – that is the only problem.
“I have seen all kinds of colours in the dressing room, but pink is probably the brightest. They will be changing soon hopefully.
“My little girl wants them now and that is saying something, she wants to wear pink boots, so we have something in common!” midfielder Paul Pogba has hailed Turin as being “home” for him ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to face his former club Juventus.
Pogba, who rejoined United from Juve for £89m in 2016, has been linked with a return to his old club and fuelled those rumours with his latest remarks.
“It’s a pleasure,” said Pogba. “Turin is my home – that’s where I scored my first professional goal.”
Pogba said he remained in contact with some of his former team-mates, adding: “Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala, Leonardo Bonucci – we were a family, so of course we stay in contact,” said the Frenchman.