JOSE TIGHTROPE
Manager riles United chiefs with digs over spending
JOSE MOURINHO is treading a fine line with the Old Trafford hierarchy over his comments about Manchester united’s spending. The united manager said recently that the £260million he has invested in his team in the last 18 months is ‘not enough’ to compete at the top of the Premier League. Some senior officials at united have interpreted that as a less-than- subtle attempt to pressure them into more spending as Mourinho (left) looks to make up ground on runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City. One prominent Old Trafford figurehead has commented privately that he believes reports linking united to signings have their origin in people close to the manager. united knew that Mourinho would be vocal and controversial in the media when they hired him. indeed, it was one of the reasons
THERE was much to admire once again about Kevin de Bruyne at the Etihad Stadium. After the assault on his lower half by Jason Puncheon on New Year’s Eve, it was remarkable that De Bruyne was playing at all, never mind finding such a high level of play so easily.
There is no doubt, however, that Manchester City’s most important player is David Silva.
The Spaniard was City’s captain for this game. He is not a natural leader, being by nature a quiet man. But there is little that the 31–yearold does on the field that is not worth others trying to imitate.
In terms of talent, application, decision- making and indeed industry, there arere few like him in the Premier remier League.
Silva returned to the City team last night ht after a two-game e absence that began after the 40 defeat of Bournemouth on December 23. Given leave by Pep Guardiola for personal reasons, , City scored just one ne goal without him.
Within 15 minutes utes here in the Manchester hester rain, Silva had playedlayed his part in twice that number and also won a free- kick from which De Bruyne struck the crossbar.
Silva’s role in the two early goals that pretty much ended this contest will not count on the assist charts.
The two final passes were provided by Leroy Sane and then De Bruyne. But Silva provided the ‘assist for the assist’ on each occasion, playing one pass inside the Watford right back and another inside their left back.
These are the important passes in many ways, the ones that require the vision and the timing and the absolute perfect weight in order to get right. These are the passes that really excite a coach like Guardiola and there is nobody better in English football at playing them.
De Bruyne can do it too, of course. Two passes he played during the 7-2 deconstruction of Stoke City here in the autumn will be remembered for a very long time. But if you want anybody in the Premier League with the ball at his feet with runners left and right 25 yards from goal that it would be Silva. By the time City play their next league game, Silva will be 32. But there is no sign of his powers fading. Briefly, there was a stand-off in contract negotiations earlier in the season as Silva and the club he joined seven and a half years ago couldn’t see eye to eye on the figures.
But, with Guardiola stressing his enduring importance to his emerging and developing team, City ultimately ensured that Silva will remain in England for the foreseeable future.
One day Silva wwill return to his homeh in Gran Canaria and finish his playing career there. That commitment hash already been verbally made.
Before then, he would like to win a Champions League at City. That is not looking as unlikely as it did 12 months ago, with City playing with a freshness here that belied the schedule of fixtures that has been causing managers such consternation over Christmas and New Year.
Silva himself has always been a footballer seemingly built to endure. Given his style of play and his elusiveness in possession, he has spent his career taking hits to the ankles. He rarely plays free of pain.
Here during an early spell of City domination, he eased his way to the edge of the penalty area before being dumped in a heap. He didn’t stay down for long.
Silva has only ever featured once in a PFA team of the year. That was in City’s first title winning season of 2011-12. He may be worth consideration once again this time round.