Premier League
Jose Mourinho wants to return to Man Utd –
Maverick football manager, Jose Mourinho is reportedly considering a sensational return to Manchester United, the club that sacked him in 2018 before his current sack by Serie A club, AS Roma.
The Self-proclaimed ‘special one’ Jose Mourinho is currently out of work following his Roma sacking, but is now thought to be plotting a return to Manchester United
According to UK publication, Mirror, the 61 year old has reportedly ‘made it his mission’ to take charge of United once again before he calls his time on what has been an illustrious career.
Mourinho has kept a keen eye on recent proceedings and is impressed by the new football operations, spearheaded by INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford.
He spent just over two years at Old Trafford, having been appointed in the summer of 2016 only to be given the boot in December of 2018. Within that period, he guided the club to a Europa League title and Carabao Cup triumph.
During his reign, relations between Mourinho and those above him in the hierarchy are thought to have become strained. The Portuguese coach was often left frustrated by missing out on key transfer targets and having to opt for alternatives he didn’t really want.
If the extraordinary does occur and current United boss Erik ten Hag is ousted from his post in place of Mourinho, the ‘special one’ could be in for some awkward reunions.
Late last year, he told Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel’s podcast that some players he didn’t deem motivated enough during his tenure are still at the club.
Mourinho claimed: “There are still people in that club., when I say people I mean some players but also some other people that are not players, that are still there when I told United after two months: ‘with these people you are never going to do it. And they are still there.’”
He famously never saw eye-to-eye with the likes of Luke Shaw or Anthony Martial, both of whom remain at the club. Though it must be said that the latter is expected to depart following the end of his contract this summer.
An underwhelming season so far for United has heaped pressure on Ten Hag, with the Red Devils currently languishing all the way down in eighth. The club are out of Europe and the League Cup, meaning their final hopes of silverware rest on the FA Cup.
Manchester City are at risk of missing out on next season’s Champions League due to their recent dip in form, manager Pep Guardiola said.
City, who are looking to qualify for Europe’s top club competition for a 15th straight season, have won just one of their last eight Premier League games and are seventh, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Guardiola’s side are four points behind Nottingham Forest, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification berth.
“When I said before, people laughed. They said, ‘qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success’. But I know it because it happens with clubs in this country,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of their home match against Everton.
“They were dominant for many years and after they were many years not qualifying for the Champions League. The one team that has been in the Champions League for the past years has been Manchester City. Now we are at risk, of course we are.”
After hosting Everton later on Thursday City travel to face Leicester City on Dec. 29.
-Reuters
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Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for “many weeks” after suffering a hamstring injury in Arsenal’s 5-1 win at Crystal Palace, manager Mikel Arteta said Monday.
Asked at a press conference about the 23-year-old England international’s condition, Arteta said: “It is not looking good. He will be out for many weeks.”
Saka was filmed leaving Selhurst Park on crutches on Saturday, souring what had been a comprehensive second win over the Eagles in four days.
Arteta said after the match: “He felt something in his hamstring. He couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed, so I’m pretty worried about that one.”
He also revealed on Monday that Raheem Sterling had injured his knee and would be out for many weeks.
Arteta was asked if there was a fear Saka would not return before the end of the season.
“No (there’s no fear),” he said. “I’m very optimistic he’ll be back before the end of the season.”
The Spaniard said it was part of the “development of a player”.
“It could have been much worse. It could have been something else that can take you out for a year,” he said.
“It’s how you react to that, how you overcome that situation and it’s a great learning process for him as well.
“It is what it is. He’s injured, we cannot change it. We’re going to use this time now to help him.”
Saka is crucial cog in Arsenal’s attack, scoring five Premier League goals and providing 10 assists this season, and his absence will be keenly felt.
Arteta said he was “putting some ideas together” about how to cope in the winger’s absence.
“We went through the period with Martin (Odegaard) and the period with five, six defenders missing,” he said. “We’re taking it with positive energy.”
Arsenal, who have finished as Premier League runners-up over the past two seasons, host relegation-threatened Ipswich on Friday.
The Gunners are third in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more.
-AFP
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Premier League
Ola Aina spearheads Nottingham Forest’s continued push for Europe with an impressive win at Brentford
Ola Aina was in his best element as he propelled Nottingham Forest to hand Brentford their first home defeat of the season.
Aina opened scoring in an eventual 2-0 defeat of Brentford who were unbeaten at home in 10 games in all competitions, which included nine victories, but the loss leaves them 12th in the standings with 23 points.
With Aina’s goal and an additional one by Anthony Elanga, Nottingham Forest will celebrate Christmas in the Premier League’s top four.
They are provisionally up to third position with 31 points.
“Most of the players were on the floor at the end. It’s difficult to come here,” Elanga said.
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