Sir Alex is back on form after joke with McLeish
SIR Alex Ferguson has been reminding former Aberdeen player Alex McLeish about his poor pass back in the 1983 Cup Winners’ Cup final as he steps up his recovery from a brain haemorrhage.
The 76-year-old required emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital earlier this month but United confirmed last week that Sir Alex no longer needed intensive care and would continue his rehabilitation as an inpatient.
McLeish has been in contact with one of Sir Alex’s three sons, Mark, and sent him a message on the 35th anniversary of Aberdeen’s remarkable Cup Winners’ Cup final win on Friday.
But rather than mentioning McLeish’s assist for Eric Black’s opener in the 2-1 win, Sir Alex reminded the former defender of his pass back which got stuck in the mud and got goalkeeper Jim Leighton into trouble.
“We are obviously very close because of our working time together,” the Scotland boss told reporters as he announced his squad for the friendlies against Peru and Mexico. “We have kept in touch over the years. We have been kept up to speed by his young boys.
“When it was the anniversary of Gothenburg last week I texted Mark, the oldest one. I said, ‘Tell the gaffer happy Gothenburg day!’
“He texted back and said, ‘You’ll never believe it, I’m in the hospital with him right now. He’s asking about your pass back!’
“I said, ‘Typical! What about my assist for Eric Black?’” GROWING uncertainty over Anthony Martial’s future could force Jose Mourinho to change his summer transfer plans.
The United manager was adamant he would not add to his strike force following the January signing of Alexis Sanchez.
Despite United’s long-term pursuit of Gareth Bale, Mourinho was ready to focus on midfield and defensive targets in his third summer transfer window at Old Trafford.
Those departments remain his priorities this summer – but the potential departure of would leave a hole up front.
The French international has become an increasingly peripheral figure at United.
His absence from Old Trafford for the final game of the season against Watford on Sunday just added to the doubts surrounding his long term future.
While Mourinho insisted the 22-year-old was injured – his failure to even take part in a lap of honour to thank fans was curious.
Martial has found his opportunities limited since the arrival of Sanchez from Arsenal – making just five starts since February.
His last one came in the 1-0 defeat to Brighton earlier this month, Martial which prompted Mourinho to say: “So maybe now you understand why some players play more than others.”
United do not want to sell a player they made the most expensive teenager in history when signing him from Monaco in 2015.
They are even eager to open talks over a new contract – but his failure to establish himself under Mourinho is leading to concerns he could look to leave this summer.
Juventus are among the clubs monitoring his situation if he tries to secure an escape route.
That would leave Mourinho to reassess his plans in what he considers to be a pivotal window.
“We have Alexis, (Romelu) Lukaku, Mar- tial, (Marcus) Rashford,” said the Portuguese manager in February. Rashford can play on the left and the right, Alexis is exactly the same.
“All of them apart from Lukaku can play from behind as the second striker. I don’t want attacking players, so don’t speak about attacking players who are coming here because nobody is coming here.” United have maintained interest in Bale for the last five years and have watched closely as he has been left on the fringes at Real Madrid this season. There is a belief Mourinho could help him rediscover some of his finest form, with senior United figures even backing the Welshman to overcome the injuries that have hampered him in recent years. Mourinho would be eager to work with the former Tottenham forward, who could win his fourth Champions League crown with Real this season. But even if the Spanish giants triumph, Bale is only expected to make the bench at best, which is precisely why United believe he could be ready to cut ties with the Bernabeu. Martial’s departure would leave an obvious gap for him to fill at Old Trafford. James Robson