Lots to chew over... on and off the pitch IT’S TIME TO DELIVER!
FOOTBALL DYER Rafa must get transfers right now JOSE Food brought in after pap hell JAGIELKA I’m set for Keane battle
KIERON DYER has asked Mike Ashley to grit his teeth – and back Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez.
The former Toon star (above, left) wants the club’s owner to shelve any ideas about control over transfers and hand that to the manager.
Benitez (above, right) is said to be unhappy at a lack of progress in the transfer market.
Dyer, who spent eight years on Tyneside, said: “Mike Ashley has always put his hand in his pocket, but the problem was that the managers weren’t buying the players.
“It seemed as if there was a chief scout or a director of football who were bringing in people that weren’t the manager’s signings.
“Now, Rafa needs to keep the owner in check. He’s a strong manager and has proved himself everywhere.
“Ashley should back the manager. If he does, then Rafa will buy the right players – I don’t think they will be yo-yo club any more.
“If he lets Benitez spend that money, they will be safe – not just for this season, but all the time that Rafa is there.
“It is something the club can build on and push themselves up the Premier League – and aim for that top four again.” JOSE MOURINHO is aiming for another tasty season at Manchester United... thanks to Deliveroo.
United confirmed yesterday the Old Trafford manager will make Manchester’s city centre five-star Lowry Hotel his home from home again next season after deciding against buying a property in the area.
And that means he will again be using online food service Deliveroo to provide him with culinary variety.
It has emerged the United boss often sent out for takeaways from Manchester eateries last season, rather than be at the mercy of the paparazzi every time he stepped out of his luxury suite at The Lowry.
Mourinho is said to have become fed up being followed and photographed whenever he left the hotel to have a meal in the city with his staff after a long day at the training PHIL JAGIELKA has warned Michael Keane that he won’t give up his place in Ronald Koeman’s new-look Everton side without a fight.
England international Jagielka (right) has welcomed the arrival of £25million Keane, 24, after the Toffees boss embarked on a major spending spree.
The veteran defender, 34, said he is up for the challenge presented by the new recruit from Burnley.
He said: “I’m good to go – I’m all ready. My ground. Sources confirmed Mourinho decided against being ‘papped’ when he left the hotel in the evening – and started using Deliveroo.
That solved his problem – and it worked so well it persuaded him to book in for another season at The Lowry.
Variety
A United insider told Sunday People Sport: “Jose likes living in the centre of Manchester and is happy at The Lowry now.
“Understandably, though, he doesn’t want to eat out every night.
“That’s why on occasions he will bring the restaurants to him with Deliveroo for a bit of variety. Having that option has made it more feasible to live in the city centre.”
No past manager has made a hotel their permanent base – but senior officials have no worries about his long-term commitment. aim is to put a marker down. Be in and around the team. We will need a bigger squad because of European football. “I got the feeling that there would be a much-changed dressing room –an upturn and a few new faces. “I was certain that the manager would sign at least one centre-half. Competition for places in football is nothing new. “If I get the chance to start the first few games, great. If not, I’ll just knuckle down and take my time.”