Rooney fit for Arsenal clash: Mourinho
Nov 18, 2016 - 3:34 PM Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is fit to face Arsenal on Saturday, his manager Jose Mourinho said, after reportedly injuring his knee tripping over an energy drink bottle in the Wembley dressing room last week.Mourinho refused to confirm details of the incident, which apparently happened after England beat Scotland last Friday but said the striker had been training successfully since returning to United this week.
"Over the last two or three days (Rooney) trained like everybody else, he wants to play like everybody else, he's ready. What happened in the national team happened in the national team, I don't comment," Mourinho said.
"Sometimes (players) come back stronger than when they left us because something good happened there, positive for them, other times injuries, sometimes big injuries, sometimes frustrations because they didn't play or the result was bad.
"In this case, we knew what didn't go well but the national team is a different chapter and is closed now until March."
The behaviour of the England captain has prompted a wider FA investigation into player behaviour on international duty after pictures, which Rooney admitted were "inappropriate", emerged of him at a wedding in the England hotel the day after the Scotland game.
In a combative performance, Mourinho also looked ahead to Saturday's encounter with Arsenal and his old rival Arsene Wenger by accusing the British media of not giving him the respect he is due for winning three league titles in England.
"Tomorrow is a match between the two managers with the best record in the Premier League...I think six or seven Premier League titles, I'm not sure. I have three I think and Mr Wenger has three," Mourinho said.
"Does that mean we should be respected even in periods where our results are not the best?
"I think Mr Wenger has that respect from all of you, I don't think I have. My last Premier League title was 18 months ago not 18 years ago, I don't get that respect, to be honest."
Mourinho is under pressure following a disappointing start to the season which leaves United sixth on the table, six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and eight points off leaders Liverpool.
Although the Portuguese has never lost a competitive game in 13 meetings with Wenger, United will be weakened on Saturday by the suspension of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and injuries to Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Antonio Valencia.
He will also face an Arsenal side unbeaten in 16 games, who boast the best away record in the Premier League this year: they have not lost since going down 3-2 at United last February, a game in which Marcus Rashford scored twice on his first league start for United.
In Ibrahimovic's absence on Saturday, Rashford is expected to start in the central striker's role, but Mourinho gave few clues as to the likely lineup other than to confirm that Luke Shaw was now fit after a leg injury.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Lukaku, Zlatan injured in Man Utd draw Dec 30
- City buy backs for strikers' prices: Jose Dec 26
- Mourinho praises United form against Foxes Dec 25
- Keep calm and carry on, Mata tells Man Utd Dec 24
- Mourinho blasts 'childish' United errors Dec 23
- Mourinho rules duo out of festive fixtures Dec 22
- United's Bailly could miss three months Dec 15
- Mourinho asked to explain City comments Dec 14
- Lukaku goal gives lacklustre United win Dec 13
- Ex Man Utd coach sticks it to Mourinho Dec 12
- Pogba confident United can cope with City Dec 6
- United won't appeal against Pogba red card Dec 4