Manchester United are reportedly pursuing the transfer of Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba. Don Balon claim the Reds have recently intensified talks over bringing experienced Spain international to Old Trafford and would be prepared to pay around £35 million for his services, despite already having an in-form Luke Shaw winning consecutive Player of the Month awards at the club.
The report also notes how Alba is yet to sign a new contract at the Nou Camp, meaning he could potentially move for a bargain fee in the near future.How convenient timing wise… Never before have we experienced such rubbish from a Barcelona player in contractual negotiation, right? Real Madrid are just as guilty as their rivals.
The 29-year-old formed a key part of that legendary Barça side that won the treble in 2014/15. He also won Euro 2012 with his country, therefore, would arrive vastly experienced. Even if United were previously looking at Alba, it would be another mistake from this club to overlook Shaw after his re-emergence into the team.
Luke Shaw has no intention of signing a new contract with Manchester United if Jose Mourinho remains in charge of the club, according to reports. The Red Devils finally stopped the rot with a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Newcastle at the weekend, having endured a miserable start to a season that has been plagued by reports of discontent between Mourinho and his players. Shaw has been one of the standout performers of a largely underwhelming campaign so far, though was often criticised by his manager in previous seasons.
And, according to the Daily Mail, those brutal attacks from Mourinho have left a lasting impression, with Shaw unwilling to forgive and forget. United have tried to instigate new contract talks, but Shaw is reluctant due to his previously strained relationship with Mourinho and the current malaise the club is in under the Portuguese’s leadership.
Mourinho has criticised Shaw on numerous occasions, slamming his performances, application in training and fitness. Speaking in April last year, he said: ‘I cannot compare the way he trains [with other contenders for the position], the way he commits, the focus, the ambition. He is a long way behind.’
Shaw was called up to the England squad this week but forced to pull out due to an injury picked up in the win over Newcastle. Speaking earlier this season about the criticism he has received from Mourinho, he said: ‘It was a tough few years but it made me stronger mentally. I wanted to prove to him I can do what he said I couldn’t.’
Luke Shaw credited a ‘very strong’ half-time team talk as key to Manchester United’s come-from-behind victory over Newcastle United on Saturday.
The Red Devils came into the match against the Magpies under immense scrutiny, having failed to win any of their last four games in all competitions. It looked set to be five, as Rafael Benitez’s side took a 2-0 lead inside the first ten minutes to stun fans around Old Trafford. However, late goals by Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sánchez rescued the three points for the home side.
Left-back Shaw spoke to MUTV, insisting he knew a turn-around was on the cards, following a rousing half-time interval.
”If I’m honest yeah 100 per cent [I could see it turning around], as soon as we came out in the second [half],” he said.
“I felt as soon as it kicked off, something inside me was meant to be. We were meant to come back, meant to win.
“A lot of strong words were said at half-time in the changing room. I think everything that was said was correct, and what we needed. To be 2-0 down at half-time against Newcastle at home was really bad.
“It helped us. The changes helped us. We came out a new side, what we should be like every game. There is no reason we shouldn’t be like that – the quality we have, which I’ve said in the past we have but we’re not utilising.”