Mourinho: We need help from Man Utd fans to beat Liverpool

Following the 2-0 EFL Cup semi-final first-leg win over Hull at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, Jose Mourinho has urged Manchester United fans to ‘raise the roof’ in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

United boss Mourinho also insisted there was a need for improvement from himself and his players too as he urged supporters not to “come to the theatre” on Sunday but “come to play with us”.

After second-half goals from Juan Mata and substitute Marouane Fellaini steered his side to victory against the Tigers on Tuesday, Mourinho expressed his concerns, saying: “Maybe I didn’t do my job well to prepare the players for the game.

“But the players have to improve and I have to improve, and I am sorry to say I think the fans have also to improve for a big match on Sunday.

“Our performances (for the Hull match) were enough to win but for Sunday, we all have to improve.”

He added: “I always think that we are responsible for the fans’ participation in the game.

“If we play very, very well, very enthusiastic, they come to the pitch and play with us. When we didn’t play so well, with so much emotion and intensity, it is normal that they relax a little bit.

“We have absolutely amazing fans.

“What I feel is that Sunday is a special match for us, a special match for the Manchester United fans – so my invitation is don’t come to the theatre, come to play, play with us.”

Mourinho said his team “played slow”, “complicated things” and “always had one more touch, one more second to delay the decision”, although he did admit that in terms of this having been a ninth straight win in all competitions for United, he “cannot ask more” of his players.

And he said: “In spite of a match against Reading (Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup win) where we could rest some players, it is an accumulation of matches in this period.

“So only after Liverpool we are going to have a little space until we play Stoke away.

“But now we need one last effort. Let’s recover and focus on Sunday.”

Manchester United want Kyle Walker and Danny Rose in double transfer raid on Tottenham

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly pushing for his club to splash out a whopping £60million to sign both Kyle Walker and Danny Rose from Tottenham in a shock double transfer swoop.
The Red Devils could do with improvements in defence after a stop-start season, and the England pair are widely regarded as the best two full-backs in the Premier League at the moment.
United, meanwhile, have had a slightly unsettled back line with Antonio Valencia playing out of position at right-back, and the likes of Matteo Darmian, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw all rotating for the left-back slot.

Danny Rose would be an upgrade on the likes of Luke Shaw (Picture: Getty)

Walker and Rose both recently signed new contracts at White Hart Lane and will not come cheap, while Manchester City are also long-time admirers of both players.
However, The Sun report that United are ready to do battle for their signatures in an ambitious double raid on one of their main rivals in the chase for a top four spot.
It is thought that while Spurs are highly unlikely to consider selling both players, they may be ready to let one of them go in the summer if a good enough offer comes in.
The north Londoners do, however, have something of a track record when it comes to losing their stars when bigger clubs come calling.

Jose Mourinho gives his verdict on Manchester United squad

 

Jose Mourinho has insisted he is happy with his Manchester United squad, despite having the opportunity to make changes this month.

The 53-year-old has been linked with a January move for Benfica defender Victor Lindelof, while Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay could leave Old Trafford after falling down the pecking order.

But after watching his team win their last seven games in all competitions, Mourinho insists he 'loves his group'.

He told MUTV : “I like my players very, very much. Not just the players, but the combinations between the players as people. They are very good guys and I love to work with them.

"I love my group so I’m really happy. And at the top of that is the challenge of bringing Manchester United Football Club to the space that it belongs. So I’m really happy."

Jose Mourinho: Manchester United will see the best of Paul Pogba next season

Jose Mourinho has assured Manchester United fans that the best of Paul Pogba will be next season.

Pogba, 23, provided an assist in United's 3-1 Boxing Day defeat of Sunderland, his third of the Premier League campaign, a tally he has matched in top-flight goals this season. His improved statistics suggest the world's most expensive footballer seems to finally be settling into life at Old Trafford after the upheaval of last summer's switch from Juventus.

Mourinho, however, feels 2017-18 will be the season in which Pogba's talent truly flourishes. 

"The Premier League is very difficult. You play three, four years in Italy and you come to the Premier League and the world is completely different," Mourinho said. "He's doing well, he's doing more than well. His evolution is clear. So I can imagine that next season for Paul will be top."

Pogba came 14th in the Ballon d'Or vote for 2016, some way behind his France teammate Antoine Griezmann, who finished third, and winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Very few of the players who finished ahead of him are not strikers, and Mourinho believes Pogba will only fulfil the ambition of winning the Ballon d'Or if footballers' contributions to their team are judged differently. 

"At the moment, if you're not a goal scorer, you cannot win the Ballon d'Or. But if the perception changes, then Paul can win it, because Paul is not a goal scorer. "

"Paul is a midfielder who will score more and more goals, because I think he has good conditions to score goals. Paul is a midfielder, in my opinion, the best, the best in the world. Obviously, he's young, he can still improve, he wants to improve, which is even better.

"He has an agent who, in my opinion, is great for the player, because he's not the typical agent who puts the player on the moon. He demands a lot from the player. He wants the player to be better and better all the time. So I think he has everything around him to be a great player."

Morgan Schneiderlin asks to leave Manchester United - Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Morgan Schneiderlin has asked to leave Manchester United, with West Bromwich Albion leading the race to sign the midfielder after lodging a £13 million bid.

Schneiderlin, a £24m signing from Southampton in July 2015, has failed to start a Premier League game for United this season and has not appeared at all since making a substitute appearance against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Nov. 19.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman is also keen to sign Schneiderlin, having worked with the Frenchman at Southampton.

But with the transfer window due to open on Jan. 1, United manager Mourinho has said that he is willing to sell the player following talks between the pair.

"He is a great professional, a fantastic boy, very honest and open," Mourinho said. "He opened his heart to me a couple of times and my answer is simple.

"If he was playing regularly with me, I have the right to say no way. But if he is not playing, I have no right to say you are going nowhere.

"My answer was that, if the offer is right and the board thinks it's a good offer in relation to quality of a very good player like Morgan, I wouldn't stop him going."

Schneiderlin is not expected to figure in the matchday squad for Monday's home game against Southampton, with Memphis Depay, another Everton target, also likely to miss out.

Meanwhile, West Brom manager Tony Pulis confirmed the club had made bids for several players but declined to discuss names.

"We have made bids for four or five players, we won't talk about them today. We will talk about them if we get them." he said.

"I don't want to go into it specifically, doing deals and business with people you should deal directly with them. Once they are done you can talk about them more openly. That's the way I prefer to conduct my business.

"We'll be spending a bit of money left over from the previous window, then moving on from there. They are very keen to keep the club running financially positively. They feel they can if they manage it properly."

Jose Mourinho dedicates Man Utd win to Marouane Fellaini

Jose Mourinho has dedicated Manchester United's 1-0 win against Tottenham on Sunday to his midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

The Belgium international was booed by home fans as he warmed up on the touchlines on Sunday after he conceded a late penalty against Everton last weekend to see the game drawn. 

Fellaini made another late appearance at Old Trafford on Sunday and his boss attributed the victory to him after getting a hard time from the crowd, who were also subject to praise from Mourinho. 

"I want to dedicate this victory to Fellaini because he deserves it," he told Sky Sports. "In the last match, it was him that was involved in the loss of two points, and that's why I want to make it clear he is an important player for me.

"The fans can do what they want and they have been phenomenal with us. I just have to thank them for everything they are giving us, especially in the period where we are not giving them too much so I am really happy with them."

Henrikh Mkhitaryan helped United to pick up their first Premier League victory since September 24 as he fired home just before the half-hour mark with Mourinho pleased to finally secure a much-needed three points. 

"These three points are magic especially because it is against a very good team which means even more for us," he added. 

"That's why I didn't change the team from Everton for this match because the team are playing well. The players are playing well so normally we have to get bad results but now we go away to Crystal Palace, away to West Brom to difficult opponents again and we know life is not easy.

Fellaini conceded a late penalty against Everton last weekend 

 

 "We are happy with the evolution of the team and we are pleased with what they are doing. We played very well again against a very good team so it was more difficult and we played very well.

"Everybody was feeling like it could be more of the same and again, we had more opportunities to score the second goal.

"We are always at risk because teams are good with good players, good managers and they try to change the team and the game and they have ammunition on the bench to do that, so it was obviously heart in our hands but the players gave absolutely everything.

"We don't deserve to spend the last 10/15 minutes with our heart in our hands because we did enough to score the second goal and kill the game, but once more, the post, Hugo Lloris and just 1-0 but it is more than 1-0, for us it is magic because we needed these three points."

There was also plenty of praise for Mkhitaryan - who was also stretchered off in the 85th minute after picking up an ankle injury - and his manager believes other players should be following his lead. 

"He has crossed the line to be a better player than he was. He was a very talented player, but now he has crossed that line that other players have to cross," the United manager said. 

"I want more from some of my attacking players. The two moments of recovering the ball and losing possession are two crucial moments in football today and Mkhitaryan is super at that. Other players need to improve."

Mkhitaryan will be out until Boxing Day: Mourinho

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Henrikh Mkhitaryan faces weeks rather than months on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan left the field on a stretcher after scoring in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, but Jose Mourinho has, thankfully, played down the severity of the injury.

The Armenian beat Hugo Lloris with a superb effort to register his first-ever Old Trafford goal, just days after netting his maiden Reds strike in the Europa League win at Zorya Luhansk. His match ended with disappointment, though, when he suffered an injury following a challenge by Danny Rose on 81 minutes. 

The England international was booked and Mkhitaryan was carried off to a standing ovation from the appreciative United fans. After the final whistle, his manager Jose Mourinho gave a positive update on the summer signing when talking to MUTV.

“It looks like the next match [at Crystal Palace] is a ‘no’, but it looks like it is nothing that is really dangerous or that needs surgery,” the manager told Stewart Gardner. “So hopefully we will probably have Micki on Boxing Day [against Sunderland at Old Trafford].”

The early assessment would also mean Mkhitaryan missing next Saturday’s trip to West Brom.

Jose Mourinho expects more goals from Wayne Rooney

Jose Mourinho has challenged Wayne Rooney to score more goals for Manchester United after saying only Zlatan Ibrahimovic is living up to expectations with his strike-rate this season.

United face Tottenham on Sunday having scored just 19 goals in the Premier League this term, with Rooney failing get on the scoresheet in the league since the opening weekend victory against Bournemouth.

The United captain, who is now just one goal short of equalling Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time record of 249 for the club, has scored just three in all competitions this season and Mourinho wants the 31-year-old to rediscover his form to help alleviate the burden on Ibrahimovic.

"As an attacking player, normally he [Rooney] scores more goals," Mourinho said after United's 2-0 Europa League victory against Zorya Luhansk in Odessa. "He scored a couple, I think, at Fenerbahce and one in the Premier League.

"We expect more goals from him, yes, but we expect more goals from everyone in the team.

"Maybe Zlatan is the one, but as the main striker it is normal that he has more goals scored. But all the other attacking players, we expect more goals from them."

Rooney's goal drought has coincided with uncertainty over his best position, with England managers Roy Hodgson, Sam Allardyce and Gareth Southgate all using the player in a deeper role this year.

The England captain has even been used as a deep-lying midfielder on the international stage, but Mourinho said: "With me, he is an attacking player.

"In the national team, they can do with him what they want to do. In the national team he is their player, he is not my player, and they can do what they want.

"If they want to play him right-back, they can play him right-back. It's not my problem, but in my team, he is an attacking player -- he will play as a nine or a 10, or eventually coming from one of the sides."

Having secured a place in the last 32 of the Europa League with the victory against Zorya, United remain alive in four competitions this season.

Mourinho said progress is being made by his team, but admits the lack of goals is the key issue to rectify.

"I think the team is playing very well," he said. "I think the team is playing very well and probably the Ukrainians fan did not see the best Manchester United of the season.

"Because the best Manchester United of the season was the team that played the last four, five or six matches in the Premier League, and managed one victory and four or five draws.

"We are playing very, very well, but we need more goals."

Manchester United believe football under Mourinho 'much better' - source

Manchester United's hierarchy believe the football being served up by manager Jose Mourinho is "much better than last year," a source close to the club has told ESPN FC.

Mourinho has been working on implementing a style that is different to the one seen under his predecessor Louis van Gaal. That is one of the requirements of Mourinho's job -- not just results -- and he is aiming to lay down long-term foundations with that style.

United suffered another disappointing league draw in their most recent match -- 1-1 at Everton on Sunday -- leading to Mourinho complaining about people focusing on results rather than performances.

The Portuguese stressed that he was happy with the way his team were playing and that they are "in a position in the table [sixth] that has no relation to our football."

Last Wednesday, he had said that his team had played "beautiful, attacking football" in the second half of their 4-1 home defeat of West Ham United in the EFL Cup quarterfinal.

Man United can still reach top four but 'long distance' from title - Guardiola

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side beat Mourinho's United 2-1 at Old Trafford back in September.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes local rivals Manchester United can still challenge for a Champions League qualification spot this season but added that Jose Mourinho's side are a "long distance" off the title pace.

United are currently nine points off fourth-placed City in the Premier League table following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Everton, which maintained the club's worst ever start to a Premier League campaign.

Mourinho's side are 13 points behind leaders Chelsea, who won 3-1 at City on Saturday to avoid being overtaken at the top by their hosts.

Guardiola said that, while he thought resurrecting their title hopes would be difficult, United could still challenge for a return to the Champions League next year after missing out on this season's competition.

"I saw the games against Stoke and Burnley, and other ones at Old Trafford," Guardiola told his prematch news conference ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match at Celtic.

"They deserved by far to win the games but football is like this. United have the quality, the history, the manager and the players to be there.

"Of course, 13 points is a long distance, especially when one team is winning games with the quality of Chelsea. So it is not easy. But to be in the first four? Of course."

City have already ensured their progress into the round of 16 in Europe, qualifying as runners-up in their group behind Barcelona.

Man United boss Jose Mourinho: More expected from me than Wenger

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes the press hold him to higher standards than Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Mourinho, who said before Saturday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford that he doesn't get the respect he deserves, also highlighted Wenger's title drought in an interview with ESPN Brasil.

"The Arsenal manager hasn't won a championship in 14 years [sic, 12 years]," Mourinho said. "I haven't won a championship in 18 months. He, in 14 years [sic], failed to build a team to be champion.

"I've been here for four months. And the demand is only for me and not for others."

Since Wenger last won the title in 2004, Mourinho has won three at Chelsea, two at Inter Milan and one at Real Madrid -- as well as the Champions League, which Wenger has never won.

"It must be because of the career I've made," Mourinho added. "Because I have got to the clubs and have always won right away.

"And this is a more difficult reality [this season], because it is an extremely difficult competition, with teams being prepared for a lot longer, with excellent players, with excellent coaches.

"Manchester [United] really live in a period that needs stability -- a stability that the club wants to give me, a stability that the club gives me, a stability that the fans give me, but that the press does not accept very well."

Manchester United were denied a penalty against Arsenal – Howard Webb

According to former Premier League referee Howard Webb, Manchester United should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Antonio Valencia in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
United manager Jose Mourinho said in his news conference after the game that he knew whether it should have been given or not — but did not want to say what he thought. The Portuguese added that he wanted to “reaffirm that the referee, Andre Marriner, tried to do his best.”
Valencia had gone to ground in the 35th minute of the game, while the score was 0-0, after Arsenal’s Nacho Montreal put an arm across him.
Webb told BT Sport: “I think on balance it was a penalty. Was it a cast-iron, stonewall penalty? No.
“I saw it in slow-motion and the contact was less significant than I first thought. But do I think Monreal in his attempt to get the ball impeded him? Yes I do. I think it’s a penalty and I’m surprised Andre didn’t give it.
“I don’t think there would have been much reaction if he had and I’m sure [Arsenal manager Arsene] Wenger would have been screaming for it down the other end.”
Mourinho was visibly upset when the decision was not given in his team’s favour but did not direct his emotions at the officials.
United went on to take the lead in the 68th minute from Juan Mata’s strike, but Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud headed in a late equaliser.
United had also been denied a penalty in the previous home game against Burnley, which finished 0-0, and Mourinho had reacted angrily — leading to a one-match touchline ban.

Jose Mourinho needs time to succeed at Manchester United - Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino has thrown his support behind Jose Mouirnho to succeed at Old Trafford given the proper amount of time.

Under-pressure Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho needs "time to put his ideas in place" at Old Trafford, Mauricio Pochettino has told ESPN Argentina.
Mourinho has had a difficult start at United, who are sixth in the table and eight points behind leaders Liverpool ahead of Saturday's match against Arsenal.
The outspoken Portuguese, who has also suffered two defeats in the Europa League, has already publicly criticised his players and fallen foul of the Football Association (FA) -- signs suggesting his tenure at United is already unravelling.
But Tottenham manager Pochettino, who endured a transitional maiden season in North London before transforming the club, called for Mourinho to be given time.
"It's clear that when you are with a great club, as I am with Tottenham, the pressure to win is always greater," Pochettino told ESPN Argentina. "And there are always voices of criticism when the results are not what everyone anticipates.
"Definitely, whenever one starts a new project, it requires time. In this case, even though Jose is one of the best coaches in the world, he needs more time to put his ideas in place and so that the team can function as he wants them to. It is too early to pass judgment regarding things that are happening with the teams just yet."
Mourinho is United's third permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down after 26 years in charge in 2013, and Pochettino has previously made the bold claim that he would like to build a legacy at Spurs to match Ferguson's at Old Trafford.
Pochettino met Ferguson for lunch in May last year and he admitted that only a "special talent" like the Scot, or Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, have the capacity to be successful for so long.
Mauricio Pochettino has thrown his support behind Jose Mouirnho to succeed at Old Trafford given the proper amount of time.
"I would like to have another chance to have dinner with Sir. Alex Ferguson because he is very hard to understand, especially because of my English," laughed Pochettino.
"Those were two very enriching hours, especially because of who he is and what he transmits, such as his energy, his personality and his character. These are things I also saw when he was on the sideline or at a news conference. To have met with him for me is a dream come true.
"To be that successful, have ups and downs and yet know how to reinvent oneself season after season only can be done by people who have enormous talent and mental capacity as is also the case with Arsene Wenger. Beyond the fact that Arsenal are our arch-rivals, you have to recognise that to be in charge over 20 years, you have to have some special talent. Without that, it is impossible."
Pochettino has admirers of his own, including Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, who described the former Espanyol boss as one of the best managers in the world last month.
"Guardiola doesn't need to praise my work. At this level, if he makes a comment like that, he does it in all honesty and that is very nice," Pochettino said. "If he said it and he meant it, logically, that is a great accomplishment for me."

Man United's Ander Herrera backs Jose Mourinho as 'an attacking coach'

Ander Herrera has defended Jose Mourinho's tactics, saying that avoiding "kamikaze" attacks does not make the Manchester United boss a defensive manager.

Mourinho has come under criticism in his career for conceding possession in favour of sitting back in defence, and before United's most recent game -- a 3-1 win at Swansea -- Mourinho's side had not scored more than one goal in a game in domestic competition since Sept. 24.

But in an interview with The Guardian and The Daily Mail the United midfielder called that perception a "myth."

"There's an idea of Mourinho that's flawed," Herrera said of the possession debate. "In many games we've had more possession. Liverpool had more [in a 0-0 draw] but otherwise we've had more of the ball and more chances. ...

"Mourinho's an attacking coach; what he's not is a kamikaze. He doesn't have us playing like mad men.

"He likes the 'rest defence' but he's an attacking coach who gives players freedom.

"He's also honest, sincere, says what he thinks to your face. If a coach isn't honest, players rumble him. There's a very good relationship. Mourinho's very straight."

Herrera also dismissed any rumblings of turmoil between Mourinho and the players in the dressing room at Old Trafford.

"The team's fine, enjoying the work, training well. I like Mourinho's sessions: very dynamic, always with the ball," Herrera said. "There are no really long sessions or talks. He understands what a footballer needs: 20 minutes, that's it. No time to lose concentration."

Herrera is set to make his international debut for Spain against England on a friendly on Tuesday, and the the 27-year-old credited his club manager for giving him a chance to play for his country.

"I have come here because Mourinho has given me the opportunity to take on a new position and I feel comfortable with it," he said.

"I'm more defensive now, playing in front of the back four. I think I have that ability to win the ball back quickly when we lose it. I have taken a leap forward at United which has allowed me to get into the national side."

Antoine Griezmann: I want to play alongside Paul Pogba at club level. Good news for United supporters?

Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba in France squad.

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann says he would like to play alongside France teammate and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba at club level in the future.

Griezmann and Pogba, currently away on international duty with France, have posted a number of photographs together on social media recently, with one on Tuesday showing them sat on the back of a golf buggy, with the caption: "End of the day, we go back to the castle.''

It has been reported that United are looking to sign Griezmann next summer as manager Jose Mourinho seeks to strengthen his attacking options, and the presence of Pogba at Old Trafford could help to lure the Atletico player to the Premier League.

"I always ask Paul Pogba about Manchester United," Griezmann told Sky Sport News in Germany.

"I think they are a huge club with a really good infrastructure. I ask Paul about some of the players, and if they're really that good, or if Jose Mourinho is really that good.

"You hear a lot of things [speculation] about Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain but right now I don't see me moving to a new club. But it would be awesome to play alongside Paul one day.''

A source close to United told ESPN FC in the summer that the club were interested in bringing Griezmann to Old Trafford.

Mourinho: Why Schweinsteiger is back

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has clarified the situation with Bastian Schweinsteiger, explaining it was a "human decision" to include the midfielder in first-team training again.

Schweinsteiger, who has not made an appearance for the Reds this season, was pictured being put through his paces with the senior squad on Monday. But the German was not in the squad that flew to Turkey for Thursday’s game against Fenerbahce, as he is ineligible for the Europa League group stages.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mourinho revealed that the decision to include Schweinsteiger in training was taken last Thursday and the German was informed a day later. The manager feels the World Cup winner will benefit personally and could also be an option if there are injuries in midfield, like United are currently experiencing in defence.

"It's a decision based on the fact that we are in a period of the season where it's really difficult to train with everyone together," Mourinho said. 

"At the moment, the day after we've played, the players train in a separate group – they do a specific recovery session. The group, instead of being 23 or 24, becomes 13 or 14, and then, with injuries, maybe 10 or 11. 

"Many times, we go to the Academy to bring some young boys to have a group with the perfect numbers to train, match after match, week after week. Now, for example, on Friday, the players that play here [in Istanbul] are not going to train with the main group and this is the normal routine. 

"Looking at Bastian and the way he was working professionally with the fitness coach, we think that it's a human decision, a professional decision, to bring him back to the team. He'll be much better prepared and in much better condition in case his future decision is to leave the club; he'll be much better prepared for competition if he stays with us. 

"It becomes one more option. At the moment, we have no problems in midfield like we have in defence but, if we have problems in midfield, it's another option for us. It's a human decision based on the training numbers and methods, but also a decision that can be positive for the group. It's positive for us and for him."

Photos: Manchester United squad at Unicef dinner

Memphis Depay, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan

In the wake of the disappointing 0-0 draw with Burnley last Saturday, Manchester United squad were in high spirits at a charity dinner on Monday night, the 17th annual United for Unicef gala dinner.

Mourinho donates his watch for auction at the annual United for UNICEF dinner at Old Trafford

Mourinho auctioned off the clothes he was wearing when he was unveiled as United's new manager in July - before taking off his watch to auction as a special last-minute lot.

Mourinho said: "Charity is one of the amazing things in society and I have always been very supportive of Unicef. You know that the money is going to the right place and is going to make a big difference.

"Tonight the money is going to help children in Thailand so we know that we are going to contribute to a better future - I think it is difficult to have a better feeling than that."

'The Mourinho Collection' raised more than £30,000 with the evening producing more than £215,000 in funds for Unicef.

But while there was a serious side to the occasion, Manchester United forward Memphis Depay entertained his followers on Snapchat with some hilarious images and videos.

The Dutchman used filters to poke fun at himself and team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan and also got into the Halloween spirit by turning Marouane Fellaini into a vampire bat!

He also mocked Paul Pogba for spilling some drink on his dinner suit.

Other members of the first-team squad in attendance included forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford - who was celebrating his 19th birthday.

Former Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger was also present on the day he trained with the first-team squad for the first time this season.

 

Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Wayne Rooney arrives at the annual United for UNICEF dinner at Old Trafford

Photos: Manchester United squad at Unicef dinner

Memphis Depay, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan arrive at the annual United for UNICEF dinner at Old Trafford

In the wake of the frustrating 0-0 draw with Burnley last Saturday, Jose Mourinho and the Manchester United squad appear in high spirits at a charity dinner on Monday night, the 17th annual United for Unicef gala dinner.

Mourinho donates his watch for auction at the annual United for UNICEF dinner at Old Trafford

Mourinho auctioned off the clothes he was wearing when he was unveiled as United's new manager in July - before taking off his watch to auction as a special last-minute lot.

Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Timothy Fosu-Mensah arrive at the annual United for UNICEF dinner at Old Trafford

Mourinho said: "Charity is one of the amazing things in society and I have always been very supportive of Unicef. You know that the money is going to the right place and is going to make a big difference.

"Tonight the money is going to help children in Thailand so we know that we are going to contribute to a better future - I think it is difficult to have a better feeling than that."

'The Mourinho Collection' raised more than £30,000 with the evening producing more than £215,000 in funds for Unicef.

But while there was a serious side to the occasion, Manchester United forward Memphis Depay entertained his followers on Snapchat with some hilarious images and videos.

The Dutchman used filters to poke fun at himself and team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan and also got into the Halloween spirit by turning Marouane Fellaini into a vampire bat!

He also mocked Paul Pogba for spilling some drink on his dinner suit.

Other members of the first-team squad in attendance included forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford - who was celebrating his 19th birthday.

Former Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger was also present on the day he trained with the first-team squad for the first time this season.

 

Bastian Schweinsteiger should still leave Manchester United - Bayern CEO

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has urged Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave Manchester United despite his return to first-team training on Monday.

The 32-year-old ex-Bayern midfielder was back on the training pitch with the senior squad on Monday, after been ousted out by manager, Jose Mourinho, in September. Though, with German outlet Sport1 reporting that he had been putting in extra shifts in recent weeks to be prepared for an eventual comeback.

However, Rummenigge -- who had been strongly critical of Mourinho's decision to demote the player in August -- told Bild: "My wish for him is that he finds a solution once the transfer window opens in January."

Rummenigge again questioned Mourinho's handling of the situation, saying: "It's difficult to manage a generation change but, nevertheless, you have to do it with tact."

Schweinsteiger, who has previously said United will be his last club in Europe and vowed to be ready for the team if required, wrote on his Twitter account on Monday: "Felt great today! Team is in good shape, results will follow!"

The German's return was also welcomed by left-back Luke Shaw, who said: "It's great to see him back. We found out the news a couple of days ago and it's so great to have him back.

"He's a big influence in the dressing room and obviously on the pitch, especially for the young players like myself.

"It's a great boost for us, the experience and the quality that he brings. The quality he possesses is a boost for our team and I'm so glad to have him back.''

Schweinsteiger was included in United's 25-man squad for the Premier League but was not included in the selection for the Europa League, which means he would not be eligible to play in European competition until registration reopens for the knockout phase.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was also involved in training on Monday, despite a report in the Daily Mail saying the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder had trained alone on Sunday.

The Manchester Evening News has since reported that Mkhitaryan had trained alone out of choice after missing out on a place in the squad for Saturday's 0-0 draw with Burnley and that he hopes to convince Mourinho to bring him back into the side.

FA await referee's report before acting on Jose Mourinho - source

The FA are awaiting referee Mark Clattenburg's report before deciding on any further steps to take regarding Jose Mourinho's conduct on Saturday, a source confirmed to ESPN FC.

The Manchester United manager will be hoping that he can avoid a stadium ban after being sent to the stands by Clattenburg during Saturday's 0-0 draw against Burnley.

Mourinho had been incensed by the failure to award Matteo Darmian a penalty after he had fallen in the box following a touch from Jon Flanagan.

The Portuguese is already in the dock after a misconduct charge, relating to comments made about referee Anthony Taylor before the 0-0 draw at Liverpool, saying that the official was in a "difficult position."

He has until 6 p.m. on Monday to respond to that charge.

Mourinho's assistant, Rui Faria, added to the narrative from the United camp regarding officials when he spoke after the Burnley game and said that it had been "fantastic work by the referee" to send off Ander Herrera. The Spaniard received a second booking midway through the second half after trying to pull out of a challenge on Dean Marney but slipping.

Herrera told United's official website: "I didn't want to make both of the fouls. I'm not a violent player. First yellow card, I bent my knee and didn't want to kick the opponent. The second, I slipped."

Discussing Mourinho's earlier dismissal, Faria alluded to what will happen this week, saying: "What is important is what the referee will write in his report."

Mourinho had received a stadium ban, suspended for one-year when he was Chelsea's manager last season after complaining to referee Jon Moss at West Ham United, but that expired the day before his remarks on Taylor.

He had received fines by the FA before then, each one bigger than the last, regarding comments on referees -- but they did not deter him from speaking about officiating again.