We’re moving ever so closer to Super Sunday in the Premier League, where there’s not one, but two “circle the date” kind of fixtures scheduled. Manchester City hosts Arsenal in the warm-up to Manchester United at Chelsea.
The Red Devils visit the Blues in a match that’s overflowing with storylines, and we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a spin through some of the news links relating to this match.
-Let’s start with midfielder Nemanja Matic, who moved from Chelsea to United on a £35 million transfer in August. BBC Pundit and United club legend Phil Neville said that whomever approved his sale should be sacked, and that it’s one of the poorest decisions in the Premier League that he’s ever seen.
MUFC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
-Additionally, Matic said he does not care if he gets booed during his return to Stamford Bridge this week as a member of the opposition.
-Also, Matic heaped a ton of praise on young midfielder Scott McTominay, who was handed a surprise start alongside him versus Benfica on Tuesday night.
“I think Scott is going to be a great player and already is a great player,” Matic told MUTV. “He’s very young, very talented and physically strong.” (h/t Goal)
“I’m sure he is the future of Manchester United and I enjoy playing with him because he also works really hard and is very confident.”
-Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was obviously and understandably upset with how his team played in the thrashing at the hands of AS Roma in mid-week and said he hopes his side shows more fight against MUFC this weekend.
-Also, Courtois thinks that Chelsea have sold a quality player in Matic but he understands why they chose to let him go. Here’s more on that via Goal.
MUFC Injury report: go to this link
Mourinho press conference video: go to this link
-Finally, the man at the center of this match, Jose Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea in December 2015 and hired by United in May of 2016. Mourinho must travel to Madrid today to face tax evasion charges.
Elsewhere, here’s video of his press conference that he had to hold a day earlier than usual.
Here’s a link to the latest on his back and forth with United supporters.
Finally, Mourinho said Tottenham’s victory over Real Madrid this week proves his Manchester United players deserve more credit. Here’s more on that transitive property on inequality via ESPN FC.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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