THE FOUR

United’s derby hopes will be carried by outcasts who’ve finally won Jose’s trust

JOSE MOURINHO will rely on a group of former Manchester United outcasts to help inspire his side to derby glory tomorrow.

Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Anthony Martial and £89million club record signing Paul Pogba have been on the receiving end of Mourinho’s “tough love” approach, with United now reaping the benefits.

They go to Manchester City with a quartet once out in the cold back in form and ready to prove themselves in the biggest game of the season.

Shaw, for so long dropped and derided by Mourinho over a perceived lack of focus and discipline, has re-established himself as first-choice left-back and signed a new five-year deal.

Lindelof, banished from the first-team after a series of calamitous displays, is finally showing his worth as a defender of stature.

Martial seemed on his way out of Old Trafford when he went AWOL from the summer tour of the US to be at the birth of his second child. But the France forward has scored five goals in his last six games, has a new deal on the table, and is now undroppable.

Mourinho said: “I knew that for him to become a really top player, he needed to overcome some barriers I put on the road for him. It’s up to his talent, because he has phenomenal talent.

“It was just a question of him understanding what a top player is, because there’s a big difference between a top talent and a top player.”

Then there is Pogba. Dropped last season for under-performing, he has been at the heart of United’s recent resurgence, even if he produced an indifferent display in the epic midweek 2-1 comeback win at Juventus. But he is battling to be fit for the derby.

Lindelof is the latest player to enjoy a renaissance under Mourinho. Joining from Benfica for £30m, he had just 13 league starts last term and failed to convince.

At Huddersfield, the Swede misjudged a goal-kick to concede a goal in a 2-1 humbling, leading to his exile for a further month, and failed to make the FA Cup final squad against Chelsea.

Having adapted to the physical and mental demands of the English game, the 24-year-old is now part of United’s first-choice central defensive pairing, alongside Chris Smalling.

“It feels good,” said Lindelof. BOOKIES were last night quoting Manchester United at a massive 8-1 to win at the Etihad tomorrow – that’s the longest oddds offered for the Reds in Premier League history.

“Punters have to decide if that price is too big to turn down or a fair reflection of their chances in the latest Manchester derby,” said John Hill, a spokesman for Corals.

Champions City are 4-11 to collect three points tomorrow. “I’ve been playing a lot of games since the start of the season, I’m just trying to keep on going and doing the best for the team. At the moment I feel good and my body is fresh.”

Asked if he ever doubted himself after his difficult start at United, he said: “No. I’ve always been confident. But you have to work hard, you know.

“Ever since I came here, the manager has been very important to me. He talks to me and tries to help me improve my game.”

In the five seasons up to Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United had amassed 79 more points in total than City.

City have finished above their neighbours in each of the five seasons since, and cut that gap to just 11 points, with them on 793 and the Reds 804.

Lindelof added:

“City are a very good team, especially at home, so it’s going to be a very tough task. But we feel very confident.”