Mou not concerned by United’s slow pre-season
LOS ANGELES: Manchester United have not hit top gear on their pre-season tour of the United States but manager Jose Mourinho has said he is not worried as a majority of his first team players are yet to rejoin the squad following the World Cup.
United drew 1-1 with Club America before a goalless draw against San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday. Mourinho pointed out that his playing XI in both games did not resemble sides he would pick for Premier League matches.
“One more training session. We’re not a team. We’re a group of players from different teams,” Mourinho said after Sunday’s match at the Levi’s Stadium.
“Some are first-team, some under-23s, some coming from loans and going on loan, some are younger, under-18s. We don’t have a team to play much better than we did but it’s one more training session.”
Midfielder Nemanja Matic has arrived in the United States to join the squad while goalkeeper David De Gea and new signing Fred are set to link up with their teammates next week.
Forward Alexis Sanchez played in the game against San Jose after resolving a visa issue that delayed his trip.
The Chile international is eager to hit the ground running after struggling to make an impact since his transfer from Arsenal in January. “Good for Alexis,” Mourinho added. “The first time he plays after some individual sessions.
“He needed this and he made a good effort, a good physical effort, which is important for him in this moment.”
In hot conditions before a sparse crowd, United created few chances, and saw Antonio Valencia limp off with an apparent calf injury less than 10 minutes in.
Valencia, who was replaced by Matteo Darmian, was part of Mourinho’s starting back four along with Luke Shaw, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling.
United play AC Milan, Liverpool and Real Madrid in the United States this month before travelling to Germany to take on Bayern Munich in their final preseason clash on Aug 5. Mourinho’s side host Leicester City in the opening game of the Premier League season on Aug 10.