MANCHESTER UTD
MAN FOR PARDS Boxing fan Troy to KO Mourinho
RON ATKINSON knows what it takes to manage Manchester United.
So when the sprightly 77-year-old passes judgement on the current state of affairs at Old Trafford, it’s a view worth taking in.
Atkinson, still affectionately known throughout the game as ‘Big Ron’, sat in the hot-seat for five years in the 80s, sprinkling his own unique brand of stardust over a club that had been in the doldrums.
And while he says Jose Mourinho is the one to follow in his footsteps, he does so with a short-term warning.
“They’ve got the right man,” he said, “but it’s not been the best of weeks for him.
“There has been two belowpar performances – put into focus by two very professional and exciting displays by Manchester City.
“And today against Watford is one of those where, I wouldn’t say it’s a ‘must-win’, but it’s one where he could do with a result more than a performance. It is a crunch game.
“Three defeats in a week does not go down well with Manchester United fans.
Expectation
“There is an expectation level. Defeat today will wipe the smile off people’s faces.”
Atkinson is busy promoting his autobiography. His reputation as a bejewelled good-time boy is little more than a facade.
He’s still going strong. Upto- date with all the latest players and movements in the game. And the enthusiasm hasn’t waned.
He added: “While Jose might not want to be in the Europa League, it could do him and the club some good.
“Along with the League Cup, there are five or six fixtures to play before Christmas and those will be better for his squad than any Under- 23 matches.
“It will give those players a chance to attune.
“Players like Marcus Rashford will have learnt more in the De Kuip Stadium than he would have all season in a development squad.
“Jose received one or two questions about his team selection for the Feyenoord game – he made eight changes the play a little bit more and have control of the game, so I needed a goalie who can deal with the ball. That was why I wanted to bring him.
“Our goalies are decent but that happens to be Steve’s real strength. He’s also a real character. When – but let’s be fair, outside the top four those eight players would walk into most teams in the Premier League.
“And City were sensational. I couldn’t believe how well they played. But it’s a long season and you can’t pick a winner quite just yet. The gongs aren’t handed out in September.”
Perhaps it’s a lifetime spent in the game, a good chunk of it as a pundit where he is still in demand. But ask a question about Wayne Rooney. And you get an answer. And more besides.
Atkinson added: “Scoring a you see him in and around this place you can’t help but feel confident with him.
“He’s so calm. Sometimes I just shake him to see if he’s alive. He’s going to be a real big favourite here.” TROY DEENEY’S biggest mate is world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua – and today he is looking to knockout Jose Mourinho. Watford skipper Deeney broke his duck for the season with an exquisite, finish in the 4-2 win at West Ham last weekend, a goal which left his manager Walter Mazzarri comparing him with Diego Maradona. In midweek, Deeney was featured comparing notes with Joshua – who was born in Watford – on the BBC’s Premier League Show. And after working with Deeney for two months, Mazzarri has found a champion prizefighter in the dressing room. goal is the single most priceless commodity in football. And he is England’s leading scorer and he’s not far off becoming United’s.
“I believe you need him to be as near as humanly possible to the opposition’s goal. He’s not an out- and- out centreforward. He is more of a Teddy Sheringham- type. You need him feeding off the big man and getting shots off.
“He can play in a deep position. Rooney could play centre-half if he put his mind to it.
“But ideally, surely you would want him supporting the The former Napoli and Inter Milan coach said: “What Deeney did at West Ham was to score a fantastic goal – only a few players could do it, and one of them was Maradona.”
Mazzarri faces the ignominy of becoming the first Watford manager to lose his first four home games in charge if they lose today.
But he is relishing the chance to lock horns again with opposite number Mourinho. The pair endured a frosty relationship in Italian football when the Special One was in charge of Inter, but their rivalry has since thawed.
The Hornets boss said: “For me, beating United would not mean anything except bringing us three points closer to our objective.
“If we happen to win, after two days of being happy it’s up to me to let the players know immediately they need to concentrate on the next game.”
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis dubbed Mazzarri his “special one” – Mourinho saw it as a copyright infringement. big man, picking up his knockdowns. If he’s 50 yards from the opposition goal, what’s the point?
“Sam Allardyce said that Rooney can play where he wants – I think that was telling him to play where he can do the most damage to the opposition.
“And you need him around t he bi g man, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I cannot believe how good Ibrahimovic is in the air. He is an absolutely magnificent header of the ball.
“He scores a high percentage of chances that come his way. As for Paul Pogba, well, I saw him last week and can’t help but think if he is going to be used anywhere out wide – and he has a tendency to drift out towards the flanks – then he should be told to get out to the right.”
Atkinson’s spent a lifetime in the game. And clearly still loves it. And he’s clearly not shy either of passing an opinion or two.
That latest tome of his will be well worth a look.
“Ron Atkinson – the Manager,” is published by de Coubertin books, priced £20.