We’re a few hours away from kickoff, as Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur in a match the Red Devils must get a result from. For manager Jose Mourinho, Monday night’s clash at Old Trafford is a major crossroads clash, not just in his time at United, but the reputation of his career overall.
So let’s take a spin through the latest Manchester United news, notes and other items currently making the rounds on the internet.
Mourinho said, during the embargoed portion of his press conference, which just became public Sunday that he’s always been a club man, willing to put the interests of the team above his own. (If you take issues with that, as many will, well that’s what the comments section is for).
Mourinho did however pay homage to supporters, while refusing to confirm or deny that he is currently content with his current roster and team.
The manager on the opposite sideline, Mauricio Pochettino, said that Mourinho is an inspiration to him, and he expressed his sympathy for a fellow competitor at the highest level. Elsewhere in team news for this contest, it appears Hugo Lloris is in line to start tonight, despite his arrest for drunken driving early Friday morning.
United vs Tottenham Injury Report/Match Preview: go to this link
United Starting XI Predictions, Team News: go to this link
Tottenham Starting XI Predictions, Team News: go to this link
If United lose tonight, the heat on Mourinho will definitely increase, especially so with such an accomplished manager like Zinedine Zidane waiting in the wings and reportedly telling those close to him that he’s confident of getting the job.
Via the Daily Mirror, here’s a link to everything Zidane has said about the United job during the current tension with Mourinho right now.
Elsewhere, former United man Bastian Schweinsteiger will have his testimonial match at the Allianz Arena tomorrow night. He’ll play one half for Bayern Munich, the other half with the Chicago Fire. Here’s a link to much more on that.
Obviously, United wasn’t going to be Bayern’s opponent, given how Mourinho treated the Bavarian while he was there.
I’m very proud to share my Testimonial Match between the @ChicagoFire and @FCBayern with all of my fans around the world!
You can go to https://t.co/jOpg90XZLf to watch it live on my Facebook Page or you can watch it through one of our listed partner providers.#ServusBasti pic.twitter.com/Ch3m1iR87g
— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) August 27, 2018
On Monday, Schweinsteiger was awarded the Bavarian Order of Merit, recognizing his contributions to the region and their citizens. The Bavaria native, who came up through the Bayern academy, attended the ceremony at the Prinz-Carl-Palais in Munich.
He was awarded the medal by Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soder.
Ein Bayer zu sein, ist ein Lebensgefühl. Wir Bayern haben Freude am Erfolg. Und deshalb freue ich mich, dass ich stellvertretend für alle Bayern Fans diesen Orden entgegen nehmen zu dürfen. pic.twitter.com/NecWUgsJ8X
— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) August 27, 2018
Finally, United defender Chris Smalling calls on United to “come out fighting” and “show some character.”
“We have to regroup and we’ve had a good amount of days on the training pitch,” he told the club official website (h/t Football 365)
“It’s about putting that hard work in, then standing up and showing some character. We need to come out fighting. To be honest, I’d rather have had the game on Saturday because you just want to bounce back after a defeat.
“It’s a long weekend but, at the same time, we’ve had a long time to prepare for the game and we’ve tried to take advantage of those days. This is a good game for us to have. When you lose a game, the next one is more important than ever.”
“The fact that it’s a big game at Old Trafford, that’s when the big players rise to the occasion. We’re determined to be ready.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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