Manchester Evening News

Jose keeping his options open in goal

- By ALEXANDRA PORTER

JOSE Mourinho has revealed he will rotate United’s goalkeeper­s every 45 minutes during their first three pre-season tour fixtures in the United States.

The Reds boss named David de Gea, Sergio Romero and Joel Pereira in his tour squad which travelled to Los Angeles on Sunday.

“The first match (against LA Galaxy), Romero does not play,” Mourinho said. “We play David for 45 and the kid (Pereira) for 45.

“In the second match (versus Real Salt Lake), David does not play. We play the kid for 45 and Romero for 45. The third match against City, we don’t play Joel.

“We will play David for 45 and Romero for 45.”

Pereira, who made his full debut against Crystal Palace in May, is firmly establishe­d as United’s third-choice goalkeeper after Sam Johnstone was omitted from the squad ahead of rejoining Aston Villa on loan after playing there last season. UNITED have confirmed Michael Carrick as the new club captain.

The midfielder takes over the armband from Wayne Rooney, who was handed the honour when Nemanja Vidic departed in 2014, and it is a just reward for 11 years service to the club.

Carrick signed a one-year contract extension at United this summer, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least June 2018.

Jose Mourinho was keen to keep hold of the 35-year-old, who wields a significan­t influence in the dressing room and is a mentor to some of the younger players.

Now the manager has extended that influence through naming Carrick his new club captain.

The new skipper said: “It feels great and it is such a huge honour to captain such a great club. It is my 12th year now and I came as a 25-year-old. I never thought I could be here for so long and achieve so much.

“Now, to lead the boys and look after the young boys, to guide them in some ways, it is a nice thing and a real pleasure.

“I came to this club as a footballer and I am now a huge fan. I have grown to love the club over the years and to be in this position is very special for me.”

Asked how he would approach the role, he added: “I will just be myself, you can’t change and it is wrong to come into the role and then suddenly change, shouting and screaming at everyone, telling them what to do.

“I am not like that. I will speak when I need to speak, but I am quite laid back and chilled out really. I will try to lead by example.”

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