The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Mourinho: Days of untouchables in past at United
No guaranteed starts for Pogba or Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic, the two most high-profile signings of the summer, and Mourinho has stressed they are not guaranteed to start.
In2006 he described certain members of his side at Chelsea as The Untouchables, but asked if he had the same approach at United with Pogba and Ibrahimovic Mourinho said: “No.
“ThatwasadifferentPremier League and situation – it was the best team by far. “It was a different story. “Untouchable in our team has to be the spirit, the commitment, the pride, t h e commitment to the club, the respect to the supporters – that has to be untouchable, not players.”
Mourinho was in no mood to talk team and would not say whether Henrikh Mkhitaryan will play after seven games out with a thigh issue but said: “Now he is fit and now it is time for him to go back to the levels we know he can achieve.”
As well as Mkhitaryan, forward Anthony Martial and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin – both absent on Monday due to injury – seem to be back in contention.
The only player Mourinho would confirm as a starter for thegamewasdefenderLukeShaw, whoalso attended the press conference.
Last month the England international left back was singled out by Mourinho for criticism after United’s 3-1 Premier League loss at Watford, with the manager unhappy about the 21year-old’s positioning during the build-up to one of
“I am a grown man now and I can take what the manager said”
the goals from the home side.
Asked about that Shaw said: “I am a grown man now and I can take what the manager said.
“I am also still young, so I need to take it on board and improve.
“I have to listen to what yourcoachessayandhavea good attitude about it.”
United are third in Group A with three points fromtwogames, apointbehind leaders Fenerbahce, whohave formerUnited attacker Robin van Persie in their squad.