Manchester United opened their 2017 preseason tour with a convincing 5-2 win at the L.A. Galaxy. The match was actually more lopsided than the final score conveys, as Marcus Rashford scored just two minutes in, and bagged a brace at the 19′. Romelu Lukaku didn’t score or start, but came of the bench in the second half to make his United debut this evening.
Lukaku signed with United from Everton for £75 million last week, and with add-ons his deal could eclipse teammate and BFF Paul Pogba for the most expensive ever. Obviously, he’s the first team striker, but Rashford could be in the mix too. United Manager Jose Mourinho explained the idea of the duo forming a partnership during his post match press conference.
“Today Rashford was in a different team than Lukaku but we will also try both in the same team which I think can also work,” Mourinho said.
“Last season in this period everyone was saying with me it would be difficult for Marcus to play but he was one of the top with appearances of the team. He played a lot in different positions which is good for his evolution and played the Europa League important matches.”
“He’s learning a lot, a great professional, great attitude. Last season in a period he was not scoring goals and missing a lot of chances which was not a drama because that’s part of the evolution.”
“We know he is going to score more goals than last season.”
Rashford scored some key goals for United last season, especially down the stretch. Since we’re on the topic of talented strikers, Mourinho also discussed Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata in the same press conference.
Yesterday, during his first press conference of the preseason, Mourinho discussed how and why the talks to acquire Morata hit an impasse. Tonight, while he did not seem optimistic about acquiring him, the manager kept the door open. He also expressed a lot of very fond admiration for the player. Mourinho said it’s up to Real Madrid President Florentino Perez to make the deal happen.
“It is a question for Florentino. What I said today is what I say today,” Mourinho said.
“Clubs put price tags on players, not the one who wants to buy. He belongs to Madrid. Madrid has decided and we have not come to an agreement. It is simple. It is a shame.”
“It is a player who made it to the first team with me. We have a special liking for, he is someone special. I enjoyed watching his evolution in Juventus and Madrid. It is like that. I don’t think he can end with us.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV.
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