Pep’s City ‘arrogant’ says China
LAST SEASON
Aug 27 Spurs (H) Lost 0-3 Oct 20 Chelsea (A) Drew 2-2 Nov 11 Man City (A) Lost 1-3 Dec 5 Arsenal (H) Drew 2-2 Dec 16 Liverpool (A) Lost 1-3 MASON GREENWOOD is destined for greatness, according to Manchester United team-mate Luke Shaw. Greenwood, 17, has shone on the club’s pre-season tour, scoring the opener in a 4-0 rout of Leeds and a stunning late winner in a 1-0 triumph over Inter Milan (above). Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been so impressed with the striker he said the teenager has a chance of starting United’s Premier League opener at home to Chelsea on August 11. Shaw has been equally wowed by Greenwood and said the Bradford-born forward could be a major star for United, given his ability, age and belief in himself. “He’s amazing,” said Shaw. “I think Mason’s got so much talent. It’s not long ago he turned 17, so it’s crazy.
“He’s got a maturity level that’s so much above his age, but he’s confident, not cocky. It’s the perfect way to be.
We know he believes in himself and we all believe in him.”
Greenwood (with team-mate Diogo
Dalot, right) scored Jan 13 Spurs (A) Won 1-0
Feb 24 Liverpool (H) Drew 0-0 Mar 10 Arsenal (A) Lost 0-2 Apr 24 Man City (H) Lost 0-2 Apr 28 Chelsea (H) Drew 1-1 P10 W1 D4 L5 F8 A18 ..AND WHERE THEY FINISHED IN LAST THREE SEASONS 2018-19 P Pts 2017-18 Man City 38 98 Man City Liverpool 38 97 Man Utd Chelsea 38 72 Spurs Spurs 38 71 Liverpool Arsenal 38 70 Chelsea
Man Utd 38 66 Arsenal P 38 38 38 38 38 38 Pts 100 81 77 75 70 63 Chelsea Spurs Man City Liverpool Arsenal Man Utd P 38 38 38 38 38 38 Pts 93 86 78 76 75 69 30 goals in 29 appearances for United’s academy sides last term and made his first-team debut in a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield in the penultimate game of the season.
“It’s easy to tell when someone’s got something about them as a player,” said Shaw. “Mason has been exceptional.
“I’ve got no doubts he could be an important player for us come the end of the season.”
Nicky Butt has been named as United’s head of first-team development.
The 44-year-old, who made 387 appearances for United and was head of the club’s academy, will report to Solskjaer and “create a seamless journey for young players stepping up to the next level”. FROM BACK PAGE the City squad failed to engage with supporters in the same way as tournament rivals Wolves, West Ham and Newcastle.
The attack will come as a huge embarrassment to City’s Abu Dhabi owners.
City view China as a market with rich potential and five months ago they purchased Sichuan Jiuniu FC to be incorporated into their City Football Group.
The attack by Xinhua – the biggest media organisation in the world – is a PR disaster.
The article blasted Guardiola for refusing to speak to fans after City beat West Ham in Nanjing last Wednesday.
It said: “Taken alone, it might have been excusable as a one-off occurrence, perhaps due to jetlag or a packed schedule.
“But unfortunately it proved to be one example among many of the utter disrespect shown by City to their hosts during their tour of China.
“An attitude of arrogance and the belief that they were the main attraction was misplaced and stood in direct contrast to the other clubs.
“Today those clubs leave China with a new-found respect and new fans; Manchester City leave China with neither.”
Meanwhile, City have dismissed claims made by Bayern Munich executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (above) that they are in talks about the £100million transfer of midfielder Leroy Sane.
A senior City source said: “We are not in negotiations with Bayern over Sane.
“We are talking to him about a new contract and not looking to sell.”