Marouane Fellaini: Man Utd boss Mourinho triggers midfielder’s contract extension

“The players have to do better, I have to do better, the fans – they also have to do better”, he explained, evidently not impressed with the subdued atmosphere at Old Trafford.

“I played with fresh players and I don’t want to say anything about first-choice or second-choice, but we played with fresh players, the players who didn’t play against West Ham”.

Southampton, which lost all three of its Premier League games over the holiday period and was held to a 2-2 draw by Norwich in the FA Cup over the weekend, has been hit by a transfer request from captain Jose Fonte.

Juan Mata broke the deadlock five minutes later, ghosting in to volley home from close range after Henrikh Mkhitaryan had headed Antonio Valencia’s cross from the right back across goal.

Juan Mata’s future at Old Trafford was thrown into question following Jose Mourinho’s arrival, but the former Chelsea boss can not do without the midfielder he sold to United in 2014 for £37.1 million (S$64.68 million). “I didn’t give them enough intensity, and we had to change that at half-time”.

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.

It was not our best first half. “All Portuguese coaches are proud of him for what he did before and for me, what he continues to do in his career”. I have to do better.

“Although the two sides have a deep-rooted dislike and hostility towards each other, I believe there is also a level of mutual respect for each other’s history and achievements – but many fans would be reluctant to admit that”.

Having racked up nine consecutive wins in all competitions, sixth-placed United host rivals Liverpool, who are now second in the Premier League, on Sunday.

“The players are enjoying training, they are looking forward to it the next day”.

With Ibrahimovic in form, I’ll be backing a narrow United win at 6/5 with Paddy Power.

“What I feel is that Sunday is a special match for us, a special match for Manchester United fans”. And that 1-0 win came on December 11, when Spurs weren’t showing the kind of form they are at present.

Costa is the current top scorer in the league with 14 goals from 19 games and has been the key man in Chelsea’s solid season so far.

“It makes it easier for you as a player when you feel the confidence of everyone”.

I don’t think so. It is going to be positive for him in the future.