Jose Mourinho insists Manchester United “are not a team” yet following their 0-0 draw with San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday evening. Mourinho appeared completely unperturbed by United’s second consecutive draw on its US friendly tour, conceding it was “one more training session”. With many of his best players missing the trip after World Cup commitments, the Portuguese appeared content that the squad – this time with Alexis Sanchez included – were able to get some practice in, if nothing else.
“We are not a team. We’re a group of players from different teams,” he told MUTV after the game. “Some are first-team, some under-23s, some coming from loans and going on loan, some are younger, under-18s. We don’t have a team to play much better than we did but [it’s] one more training session.”
After missing the start of the pre-season tour – the 1-1 draw with Club America on Thursday night – due to a visa issue, Sanchez started for the Reds at the California Memorial Stadium on Sunday.The Chilean made an attempt off a free kick in the 30th minute, but it sailed off high to the left. Sanchez had a hand in another close miss by Luke Shaw after the break, but United could not break the deadlock.
“Good for Alexis,” Mourinho said: “He needed this and he made a good effort, a good physical effort, which is important for him in this moment. Andreas Pereira performed “okay” and the boss thought he could play “even more simply”. But he has the personality to want the ball and to organise. I’m happy,” he added.
A potentially worrisome moment for Mourinho came after seven minutes of play when Antonio Valencia limped off injured. But again, the manager remained sanguine: “He’s injured and I think we need to get used to it,” he said. “Last season he was already in this type of situation and this season he will probably have more of that.United next play Real Madrid on Wednesday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.”
Man United’s 2018 pre-season tour of America is failing to hit any high notes. After drawing 1-1 with Club America last week, Man United were held to a forgettable 0-0 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday night in California. Of course, Man United are without a group of their best players who competed at the World Cup. Yet the Red Devils were able to field the likes of Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez against the MLS side. But a breakthrough never materialised.
Man United’s evening against San Jose started badly. Right-back Antonio Valencia was injured in the opening exchanges and he was subbed out the game after seven minutes. The right-back hobbled off with looked like a calf injury. He was replaced by Matteo Darmian. Coach Mourinho recently appointed Valencia as the new captain after Michael Carrick retired and joined the teams coaching staff.
After the match mixed reports came out about Valencia’s injury. Some are fearing the South American may now be out for the start of the Premier League season. Man United face Leicester City on August 10. However Valencia was keen to be optimistic after the San Jose game.
Leicester City’s Harry Maguire is a 50 million pound target for Man United. At the same time, links to Juventus left-back Alex Sandro have receded. Luke Shaw is now expected to remain at Old Trafford this season.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah, however, is expecting to be sent out on loan again. Man United have already signed 19-year-old defender Diogo Dalot from Porto.