What the papers say
Manchester United will soon be back in the top four, says José Mourinho
• ‘When you are there, which we are going to be …you can feel it’
José Mourinho believes Manchester United will soon be in the top four and once there they can consider challenging for the title.
United are in eighth place with 17 points, five behind Arsenal, who are in fourth, after 10 games. Mourinho is confident his United side can bridge this gap and then assess if a tilt at a 21st championship is possible.
Related: Manchester United review security after intruder smuggled toy guns into game
Continue reading...Manchester United review security after intruder smuggled toy guns into game
- Pitch invader carried toy guns into Old Trafford at Juve match
- Club to ‘review our already rigorous security protocols’
Manchester United have launched a review into their security protocols after it emerged a pitch invader got into Old Trafford with two toy guns during last month’s Champions League game against Juventus.
Shortly after play got under way during the hosts’ 1-0 defeat by the Italian champions, a fan ran across the pitch and was restrained by stewards close to the players.
Related: FA clears José Mourinho of using foul language after independent ruling
Continue reading...Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Liverpool to reveal how good Arsenal really are, Lukaku to be on the bench again and Hart has a point to prove at West Ham
After the Unai Emery era opened with defeats by Manchester City and Chelsea, it was hard not to wonder if Arsenal were going to endure another uncertain season. Yet a kind run of fixtures has allowed confidence to grow and Arsenal’s players are gaining a strong understanding of Emery’s demands. They are unbeaten in all competitions since losing to Chelsea on 18 August and find themselves four points off the top of the table, with optimism flowing thanks to the goals of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lucas Torreira’s snappy contributions in midfield. But just how good are they? More excitable supporters will say Emery is constructing a title challenge, whereas the more discerning will accept a top-four finish should be the target for this evolving side. Either way, Saturday’s visit from Liverpool should offer a clearer indication of Arsenal’s level. For all the positives, Emery is yet to solve the problem of his side’s slow starts and the Spaniard’s unconvincing defence will surely be pushed to the limit by Liverpool’s front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah. JS
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Continue reading...FA clears José Mourinho of using foul language after independent ruling
• FA disciplinary department can appeal against decision
José Mourinho will not face a touchline ban after an independent panel cleared him of using foul language following Manchester United’s 3-2 win against Newcastle, the Football Association has announced.
Mourinho was charged with improper conduct for remarks he allegedly made as he left the field at Old Trafford after the comeback win against Newcastle. United vigorously contested the 55-year-old’s charge and an Independent Regulatory Commission convened on Wednesday and decided Mourinho will avoid any sanction.
Related: Manchester United ready to back José Mourinho with £100m-plus in January
Continue reading...Rise of David Brooks shows big clubs that less really can be more | Paul Wilson
The 21-year-old has been a revelation since joining Bournemouth for £10m and proves to the likes of Manchester United that they do not have to always spend big to succeed
Bournemouth have been one of the stories of the season so far, and one of the stories behind the Cherries’ rise to sixth place in the table has been David Brooks’ almost instantly establishing himself as a Premier League performer.
The Warrington-born midfielder is a big Manchester United fan, despite starting his football career in Manchester City’s academy, and when José Mourinho and his players pitch up at the Vitality Stadium for Saturday’s early kick-off, Brooks will get a bigger thrill than most from the fact Bournemouth are currently three points and two places better off than their illustrious visitors.
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