LONDON — Far from closing the gap on Manchester City, Jose Mourinho is matching the lows of David Moyes at Manchester United.
A 3-1 loss at West Ham on Saturday left United with 10 points from seven games — matching the club’s previous worst Premier League start under Moyes in 2013 immediately after Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Mourinho seems more focused on picking internal battles rather than motivating his players and preventing a display as disjointed as the one in east London that followed a League Cup loss to second-tier club Derby on Tuesday.
Mourinho hasn’t just feuded with midfielder Paul Pogba, who played 70 minutes after being stripped of the vice captaincy, but with the club’s hierarchy. After spending the off-season bemoaning his inability to sign a centre back, midfielder Scott McTominay was deployed on the right of an unsettled three-man defence.
Little wonder that United was so easily picked apart by a West Ham side with only four points from six games before Saturday. It hadn’t won at home this season until Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko’s deflected strike and Marko Arnautovic beat goalkeeper David De Gea.
By the time West Ham took the lead in the sixth minute, United had struggled to escape its own half. A cross from Pablo Zabaleta was flicked in at the near post by Anderson.
The Brazilian midfielder provided the second in the 43rd. A corner was headed on by Issa Diop and Yarmolenko took the ball past Nemanja Matic before a shot took a heavy deflection off Victor Lindelof and looped into the net.
United did pull one back — just after Pogba was taken off in the 70th — with Marcus Rashford turning in Luke Shaw’s corner with his back to goal.
But hopes of a comeback flickered only briefly. West Ham regained its two-goal cushion in the 74th when Mourinho’s brittle defence was pierced with ease. Mark Noble was able to thread pass through to Arnautovic, who evaded Christ Smalling before striking past De Gea.
Francesco Totti is publicising his autobiography which contains stories from the Roma legends life.
Francesco Totti is publicising his autobiography which contains stories from the Roma legends life.
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SWISS outfit Young Boys begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday night when as they welcome Manchester United to the Stade de Suisse.
Gerardo Seoane’s side currently sit at the top of the league with six wins from six games and want to carry that impressive, unbeaten record into the fixture with Jose Mourinho’s team who are much better opposition that what they’re used to.
Jose Mourinho is hoping his side’s win over Watford at the weekend will spur them on in SwitzerlandEPA
United come off the back of a 2-1 win away to inform Premier League side Watford and will be looking to take all three points back to the north.
What time is kick-off?This fixtures take place on Wednesday, September 19.
It will be held at the Stade de Suisse in Bern.
Kick-off is at 8pm.
This game will be shown on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting at 8pm.
Alternatively, you can keep up-to-date with all the latest action on the SunSport LIVE BLOG.
What is the team news?Defender Luke Shaw is set to make his return to the United side after nasty injury on international duty but nothing too serious for the England player and for Jose Mourinho has confirmed he will start the match ahead of making his final few changes, with Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku in blistering form.
Full team-news to be released before Wednesday’s fixture.
MOSCOW— Of the four people who protested on the field during the World Cup football final in Moscow, one is now in intensive care and another spent part of the week in a jail cell. Two months since the tournament ended with France beating Croatia, the tolerant image presented by Russian law enforcement to the […]
The post Two months after World Cup final, Russia police no longer relaxed appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
Former Chelsea captain John Terry admits his ultimate ambition is to manage the club.
Terry is unlikely to be returning to Stamford Bridge, for now, but he is working with the academy players at Chelsea's Cobham training ground as he seeks his coaching qualifications, with a long-term target in mind.
Read more on Tribal Football
It took new Philippines coach Scott Cooper a few more minutes after his first match to learn what could be the best quality of the squad he brought here for his first training camp.
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JAPAN were set to return to international action after their second round World Cup exit.
Samurai Blue would have faced Chile, following their heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Belgium, but the match has now been cancelled.
Japan suffered World Cup heartbreak after losing to BelgiumReuters
When was Japan vs Chile meant to be played?
Japan vs Chile was supposed to be held on Friday, 7 September.
Kick-off would have been at 11.00am UK time.
The game would have been held at the Sapporo Dome.
Japan vs Chile has been cancelled after a devastating earthquake struck the northern island of Hokkaido, where Sapporo is located.
More than one hundred people have been injured with dozens said to be missing.
A Japanese FA statement read: “We send our deepest condolences and sincerest sympathies to those affected by the earthquake that struck the central-eastern part of Iburi region in Hokkaido.
“Due to the effects of the earthquake, the Japan Football Association has decided to cancel the Kirin Challenge Cup 2018 match between Samurai Blue (Japan National Team) and the Chile National Team.
“This decision was made upon careful evaluation of the magnitude of damages incurred, including damages to critical infrastructure such as power outages and significant transportation disruptions, as well as to ensure the security of all spectators, including the supporters of the visiting team.”
Will Japan vs Chile be re-arranged?As the game is only a friendly, there are no plans to replay it.
Samurai Blue are set to return to action against Costa Rica next week, while Chile travel to South Korea.
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