Here are your Manchester United headlines for the morning of Wednesday November 18.
Coach who discovered Bruno Fernandes explains Manchester United impact
The coach who discovered Bruno Fernandes as a youngster has described why the midfielder was able to hit the ground running after signing for Manchester United in January.
Fernandes’ arrival was a catalyst for United to turn their 2019/20 season around, with the Reds ultimately finishing third in the Premier League table and qualifying for this season’s Champions League.
Mauro Borghetti, the Italian coach who scouted Fernandes as a 17-year-old at Boavista, has opened up on what it is about the player’s character that has made him such a big success.
"Above all, he had a great personality which is what distinguishes him now that he is playing football at top levels,” Borghetti told Football Italia. “As far as I know, we were the only club that wanted to sign him at that time and he immediately accepted our offer.
"He worked hard, trying to learn Italian right away, he joined the group and was immediately welcomed because he was able to establish good relationships with his team-mates.
“He had excellent relations with all the figures inside Novarello. Sometimes his mother or his girlfriend came to visit him. He was a person of some depth. Notoriety and celebrity haven’t changed him.”
Chelsea midfielder defends under-fire Manchester United star
N’Golo Kante has called playing alongside Paul Pogba for France “a pleasure,” defending the Manchester United midfielder from growing criticism.
Pogba has struggled for form this season, losing his place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting lineup in recent weeks, but Kante was quick to jump to the defence of his international teammate when asked about his performances.
“Yes it is true, with Paul it has been a little while he’s been injured, a little while since I played with him,” the Chelsea midfielder told TF1 after wins over Portugal and Sweden during the international break.
“We all remember the World Cup, that whole adventure we did together, the qualifications stage and the competition, and it is a pleasure again to be playing with Paul in the national team. Against Portugal we had a good game and we are all satisfied with our performance.”
Cole sees sense in summer transfer dealings
Andy Cole has defended Manchester United’s summer transfer business, highlighting how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the landscape in the sport this year.
The Old Trafford club faced criticism for their failure to land top target Jadon Sancho having chased the Borussia Dortmund winger for the majority of the summer window, but Cole has urged calm in the assessment of the deals done.
"I don't know. I'm not privy to that information. We don't know the ins and outs. No doubt he would have liked to have brought in more players,” the former Reds forward told the Express.
“Unfortunately, the players he wanted to bring in maybe he couldn't but we don't know the reasons why. There is a global pandemic and when I see teams like Real Madrid spend no money... you do have to look at it as Real Madrid spent nothing.”
