Happy international break Manchester United supporters. The Red Devils are off until November 24th, when they’ll visit Sheffield United in Premier League action. They currently sit seventh in the table, with 16 points, nine behind Manchester City for the final slot in the top four.
Let’s take a look at what is making the internet rounds, MUFC wise, on this Tuesday. Go here for the second set of MUFC news items of the day. We start with the surprising Daniel James, who’s had a much bigger and better role thus far this season, and undeservedly so, than most expected this preseason.
The 22-year-old who moved up from Swansea City this summer, says he won’t be intimated by opposing defenders this season.
“I’ve been used to it,” James told the Guardian.
“Last season in the Championship [with Swansea] I had a lot of hits. If a defender hits you and you stay down he might think he’s got the better of you, so to get up and keep going is important.
“I’ve always had it [this mentality]. It’s important to keep getting back up. It’s part of the game. If I can get forward and win free-kicks high up then it’s good.”
Elsewhere, forward Marcus Rashford was the only United player to make the cut for NBC Sports’ weekly Premier League individual power rankings. He’s #16 and you can see the full list here at this link.
Elsewhere, we have two narratives of positive news on the injury front. Paul Pogba, who has been out of commission since the Arsenal draw at the end of September, is set to reach his return target of December. Pogba has missed nine games due to foot and ankle problems, but his cast has now been removed.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he’ll have the Frenchman back in action for the Manchester Derby come December 7.
And finally today, progress on central defender Eric Bailly, according to a report by ESPN. The Ivory Coast international has not featured this season, as he suffered knee ligament damage back in the pre-season against Tottenham Hotspur.
He has since recovered from surgery and has been active in rehabilitation for the past few months.
The Daily Star provided an update, reporting that Bailly “returned to light training before the international break and while there may be a longer wait for him to return, Bailly could be available over the hectic festive period.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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