United’s big guns will return against Hull, says Jose
MANCHESTER United will field their strongest side at home to Hull City in the Premier League today, despite manager Jose Mourinho’s concerns about their congested fixture list.
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, midfielder Paul Pogba, goalkeeper David de Gea and fullback Antonio Valencia are all likely to return after sitting out the FA Cup fourth-round victory over second-tier Wigan Athletic on Sunday.
“We always play a fullstrength team, it depends on the way you look at it, but we always try to have a strong team,” Mourinho told reporters yesterday after having complained last week about the club’s “crazy” fixture list.
“Of course, we have had some players that didn’t play the last match, some players with a lot of matches played already, like Valencia, Ibra, Pogba. Some of these players with lots of matches they didn’t play, but will play tomorrow.”
Wayne Rooney, who this month became United’s alltime top scorer to match his England achievement, has reportedly been offered a lucrative deal by a Chinese Super League club, but Mourinho said his captain would not go anywhere this season.
Asked if Rooney would be staying until the end of the season, Mourinho said: “Yeah... We already lost two players from the squad”.
Mourinho, who also confirmed that Ashley Young will not be leaving the club, suggested he had already drawn up his transfer plans for the close season.
“We’re more focused on the summer period. If you ask me do I know what I want for the next transfer window, yes I know. Is it possible to get? I’ll try, always, to be realistic,” he said.
United, who are still competing in the League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League, are sixth in the Premier League with 41 points, while visitors Hull are second-bottom with 16 points.
But Mourinho’s side won’t underestimate the Tigers, who last week ended United’s 17game unbeaten run in all competitions with a 2-1 win in a League Cup semi-final, second leg. United scraped through 3-2 on aggregate to reach the final. – Reuters