Manchester United are currently in the midst of the United States of America portion of their 2018-19 preseason training schedule. Thus far, United have been drab, even by preseason standards, and winless in the states. United played a goalless draw in Santa Clara, California against the San Jose Earthquakes last night, which came on the heels of a 1-1 stalemate versus Club America in Phoenix, Arizona.
There is certainly no shortage of topics to discuss today in the wake of these uninspiring results, so let’s take a spin through the latest news and notes items making the rounds on the internet this Monday.
-The summer transfer window got off to a really nice start with the addition of Fred, but the next additions were not exciting at all: an injured £19 million defender in Diogo Dalot (more on him in a bit) and a soon to be third string goalkeeper in Lee Grant.
With just 16 days until the transfer window closes, are we going to see any real exciting action from United on this front?
“One thing is what I want and another thing is what is going to happen,” manager Jose Mourinho responded when asked at a news conference about possible additional signings.
“I would like to be in Los Angeles now and I am in San Jose, you cannot do whatever you want in life. I would love to arrive in L.A., to train in L.A. and play all my five matches in L.A., and then don’t travel, don’t change hotel and then go back to Manchester.
“I would like to play against Leicester [on the opening weekend of the Premier League season] on Sunday but I have to play on Friday, so you don’t get always in life what you want.”
In other words, United are missing out on their main targets this summer, and could continue whiffing in near term future pursuits.
No wonder Mourinho has sounded so cranky in press opportunities this preseason.
–Antonio Valencia, who will wear the captain’s arm band this season now that Michael Carrick has retired, lasted only seven minutes against the Quakes last night limping off early due to injury. It’s been reported that Valencia suffered a calf injury, but United are yet to disclose any official information about it.
The extent of the damage and time table for return are not known at this time. Valencia was replaced by Matteo Darmian, who the club had been interested in selling. It looks like he might stay now, given how injuries in the back line are piling up. (See more on that below)
-In the words of ’90s BritPop juggernaut Blur: “well, it looks we finally made it, made it to the end”
Our last item concerns Diogo Dalot, it turns out that his injury and recovery time will keep him out until September.
Mourinho revealed: “Dalot is injured; we knew that but we didn’t want to lose him because of that. He is recovering really well. We think he can start training with the team when we go back to England. He will not be ready for the start of the season but we think he’ll be ready for September.”
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.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud and YouTube. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to any and all of his.