Manchester United fans will be disappointed to hear that the main sound bite from Jose Mourinho’s first Premier League prematch press conference of the season is that Paul Pogba won’t take any part due to a suspension given to him in Italy.
But TFF has to say that it does feel more fitting that the player who broke the world record in transfer fees when he joined the club for £93.2m should make this debut at Old Trafford on a Friday night instead of at the 11,000 capacity stadium at Bournemouth.
It may have been a little risky to play him anyway after such a short spell of training after his summer holiday.
So he will make his bow and may even start against Southampton next Friday, fitness permitting.
And Jose was very business like in general in his news conference and feels the hard work is just beginning.
The new Manchester United boss was asked about his ambition for the season:
“We feel that we are a candidate to win the title. We know that others have the same ambitions as us. If, at the end of the season, somebody who is champion has been better than us, then great – that is football. In this moment as Manchester United Football Club, we cannot speak differently. We are going to fight for the title.”
“He fits in my plans which is why he’s on loan at a Premier League club. I want to give give him all the conditions to develop and to play well. He is in the right place with a manager that likes him a lot. Hopefully everything will go well for him because we want him back!”
When asked about the manner in which he hopes to improve the fortunes of the club on the pitch after three poor years:
“Professionalism. We are not here to have fun or to enjoy the sunny weather, we are here to work and give everything for the club.”
On Bournemouth:
“They have the same manager and same players who came from the Championship together and didn’t change the way they play. It is a good stable team and they will make a difficult match for us.”
So a slight let down for everyone that Pogba won’t make his debut but Manchester United have more than enough power to get off to a winning start on Sunday.
You can see the press conference in full by clicking here