A MARC Jose: Rashford will get chance to shine
EDDIE’S HOWE-TO GUIDE CONTE GOING THE RAN WAY
EDDIE HOWE has reminded his Bournemouth players that today’s clash with Man United is simply a case of 11 against 11.
High-profile summer signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are likely to be involved for Jose Mourinho’s star-studded team this afternoon.
But Cherries boss Howe has told his side they must not respect United’s big names too much.
He said: “It is really important we are not in awe of them and that we are not too stand-offish.
“We have to respect our opponent but once we go into the match they are like any other player and you treat them as such.
“Ibrahimovic will probably play and he is a great talent.
“It is great to see him here but from our perspective we don’t want to be in awe of him, we want to keep him quiet.
“Really, you could pick any of the United team as a threat, even their full-backs, so we are New Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce has already challenged Rashford, 18, to force his way into the Manchester United side to increase his chances of more caps for his country. But there have been fears that the arrival of Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic as United’s centre forward will see the exciting Rashford become more of a fringe player at Old Trafford. In fact, the youngster is expected to be a substitute when United start their campaign at Bournemouth today. But United boss Mourinho put the record straight about the plans for the striker. He said: “I see all of what is said about Rashford. I like him a lot. “The England squad is Sam’s decision but he is one of my important players. “He’ll play a lot, then Sam has to make a decision. “Rashford is a young boy with a lot to learn. There will be ups and downs and we will have to support him. “But potentially he’s a very good player and a good professional in the way he lives. “And players who aren’t in the team at the start of the season will see their frustration end once we STEVE MORGAN well aware of the test that we have ahead of us.”
Bournemouth ended last season with a defeat at Old Trafford but Howe insists his side are better prepared to face United now than they were in May.
And that is because they have a Premier League campaign under their belt.
The former Burnley boss (right) said: “The experience of playing against the superstar names and the big clubs means you naturally become a bit harder and you know what is coming.
“That will stand us in good stead for sure.”
The south coast outfit avoided relegation by five points last season but they have been tipped PAUL HETHERINGTON get to September, when the League Cup and Europa League start.”
In other words, United’s entrance into those two competitions will create more game-time chances for players in Mourinho’s squad, rather than his Premier League starting line-up.
The United boss, meanwhile, has revealed his “excitement” at the start of a new season.
He added: “Yes, I’m excited because I don’t like friendlies, they give me a strange feeling.
“You want to win them because you always want to win.
“But at the same time, there are more important things in those games than winning.
“I like competition. I like the Community Shield, because it’s a cup, a trophy.
“Then the Premier League starts and it’s a marathon.
“I even like a day like Saturday this weekend when we don’t play.
“I like to know the results, who scored and who didn’t, who is winning and losing – it’s special.”
United will be without the suspended Paul Pogba – a hangover from his time with Juventus after he was booked in the Coppa Italia final – and Chris Smalling today.
World-record signing Pogba will not travel to Bournemouth to watch his new team-mates either, and will instead train today at Carrington – United’s base – working on fitness.
But Mourinho is confident his £89million man will be available to feature in Friday’s match against Southampton at Old Trafford. to struggle by some this time around – despite investing heavily in Jordon Ibe and Lewis Cook. Howe, though, believes his players respond well to the tag of underdogs. He said: “It is always nice to prove people wrong, I have no problem with it. “This whole club has had to prove people wrong for a long, long time. “Everybody individually has been written off at one moment or another. “I have been written off – in football you always are – but you have to keep coming back and you have to have the mental strength to keep coming back and having another go. “I think with the size of the stadium and the name that we have we will be classed as underdogs for a long time.” ANTONIO CONTE is using Leicester City’s stunning title triumph as a blueprint to put Chelsea back on top of English football.
Dismissing the idea that superstars alone can guarantee success, the new Blues boss pointed to Claudio Ranieri’s reigning champions for proof.
The main task for Conte, who makes his Premier League bow at home to West Ham tomorrow, is to turn Chelsea into serious title contenders once more.
After winning the league two seasons ago, the Blues finished in mid-table obscurity last time following a meltdown under Jose Mourinho.
But if getting the likes of Belgium maestro Eden Hazard firing again will be vital to his cause, Conte (right) insists a united Stamford Bridge is more crucial.
Which is why he wants to take HARRY PRATT inspiration from what Ranieri achieved at the King Power Stadium last season. Conte said: “Leicester are a great team because, for me, if you win the English league, you become a great team. “Ranieri did fantastic work and his players did fantastic work. “They created the right spirit. “It’s important to have this if you want to win. You need fantastic players but you must have the right team spirit.” Renowned for his intense approach, Conte admits he rarely sleeps the night before a match, or afterwards should his side lose. The former Italy boss said: “Lately I was lucky as I won most games with Juventus and Italy.”