..::Football IV::..

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'He just stands a lot' - Owen criticises Ibrahimovic after Zorya winner

Ex-Manchester United striker Michael Owen has criticised Zlatan Ibrahimovic's lack of movement despite his winning goal against Zorya on Thursday.

The Swede struck in the second half at Old Trafford to earn the Red Devils a narrow 1-0 victory over the Ukrainian side in the Europa League.

But Owen was unimpressed with Ibrahimovic's overall performance and believes he needs to be more proactive when he is not in possession.

"His movement disappoints me a bit," Owen told BT Sport. "He just stands a lot. Because of his height he gets away with it."There was no movement from him. He just tends to stand at the back post and wait for the ball. There were a few crosses tonight and he stayed in the same position."

Ibrahimovic scored four goals in his first four United games but had gone four games since that run without netting before the visit of Zorya.

 

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Mourinho not 'over the moon' with Man Utd wins

Jose Mourinho insists he was not "over the moon" after Manchester United beat Zorya 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday to record their third straight win in all competitions.

It took United 69 minutes to record their first shot on target against Zorya, but it resulted in the only goal of the game as Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed home Wayne Rooney's mishit effort.

United have knocked Northampton Town out of the EFL Cup and beaten Leicester City in the Premier League to bounce back from three straight losses, but Mourinho is not getting carried away with his side's improved results."One week, three defeats, one week, three victories," Mourinho said to BT Sport. "I was not depressed with three defeats but I'm not over the moon with three victories.

"We have a game on Sunday [against Stoke in the Premier League] and that's now the most important thing."It was difficult. We had chances in the first half and we could have scored and had a different match, but we didn't.

"They were organised, with a lot of players behind the ball, but with danger on the counter-attack, so the game was difficult but it was important to win."

Rooney was again left on the bench by Mourinho as the United captain nurses a back injury, but the Portuguese was happy with the attacking options he had in reserve.

"Since the first minute I was waiting for the goal but it was never arriving. You never know what can happen but to be honest [Sergio] Romero made a good save at 0-0.

"I had on the bench players to change the game, I used three but I had different attacking options.

"Wayne gave us a different positon and [Anthony] Martial gave us different speed when the opposition was getting tired."

 

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Scholes: Liverpool can win the Premier League

Paul Scholes has tipped Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title in 2016-17 on the back of their positive start to the season.

Jurgen Klopp's men have taken 13 points from their opening six games and sit fourth in the standings at the end of September.

And former Manchester United star Scholes believes they have enough goals in the team to mount a serious title challenge.

"Liverpool look like they're a team who can win the league," he told BT Sport. "I think it's a big test for United to go there [on October 17] and try and get something out of the game.

"I think they'd take a draw now. I was a little bit worried about them defensively but you have to say, the attacking quality they're showing at the minute, they look like they're going to score goals against anybody."I hope they don't [win the league]!"

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixture 2016.09.30

Barclays Premier League Fixture 2016.09.30

Everton Vs Crystal Palace

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LA Liga Fixture 2016.09.30

LA Liga Fixture 2016.09.30

Real Sociedad Vs Real Betis​

 

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Lukaku: I am not on Suarez's level yet

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has acknowledged he still needs to improve if he is to reach the same level as Barcelona ace Luis Suarez and other top strikers.

Lukaku netted 18 goals in 37 Premier League appearances last term, but the Toffees endured an inconsistent campaign and finished 11th in the table, costing Roberto Martinez his job at Goodison Park.

And the Belgium international says his ability to have a greater impact on his club's fortunes stands between him and reaching the highest level."I need more match-winning performances [to reach the level of Suarez]," Lukaku told Sky Sports.

"For a striker of my ability I score the goals that I score, but I need to create goals. The likes of [Sergio] Aguero, Suarez, [Karim] Benzema, [Robert] Lewandowski, they can create a goal out of nowhere and that's the thing that I need to do.

"In training I'm with the manager trying to put in situations like that so it becomes more natural. I have it in my locker but it needs to come out more."Lukaku was heavily linked with a move away from Everton ahead of the 2016-17 season, but the arrival of Ronald Koeman as the club's new manager eventually convinced him to stay put.

"I was really close [to leaving], but I had a moment of reflection - for a week in pre-season - to see how the manager works and see what he sees in me as a player," he added.

"I'm young and there are aspects of my game I need to improve. He worked with me on it from day one and I was convinced he was a man that can have a big influence on my future."

 

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Ibrahimovic is tremendous even if he does not score - Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a "tremendous player" whether he scores or not after the Swede struck the winner against Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League.

Wenger must accept his time is up Ibrahimovic netted the only goal of the game when he headed home Wayne Rooney's mishit effort and Mourinho hailed the powerful attacker's overall contribution after the final whistle.

"Ibrahimovic is a tremendous player," Mourinho told MUTV."Even if he is not scoring goals, the dynamic he brings to the team, the movement and the leadership in attacking organisation, no-one can believe his age."What matters is the quality and his quality is amazing."

Mourinho also had his say on Rooney's situation following the England international's role in Thursday's win, with the forward having lost his starting berth in their last two games.

"Rooney was laughing and said he made a great assist," Mourinho added."He gave me what the team needed at the time, which was a second presence in the box. He is more of a striker than Juan [Mata], and Juan went more to the right-hand side [when Wayne came on].

"We started the game with a very good team, and I also had players on the bench to give me solutions for everything."

 

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Mourinho hoping to pick from near-full strength squad for Stoke visit

Jose Mourinho expects to have almost all of his Manchester United players available for selection on Sunday when Stoke City visit Old Trafford in the Premier League.

The United boss made four changes on Thursday night for the 1-0 Europa League home win over Zorya Luhansk, with further alterations ruled out due to an injury for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and a bout of illness for Luke Shaw.

But Mourinho is confident that both will be back for the visit of Mark Hughes’ struggling side, with only Phil Jones set to be unavailable as he continues to battle back from a knee injury.“Phil Jones is the only one that I can say is an important injury and will be out for more weeks to come,” Mourinho told a press conference.

“Mkhi is training now with the team, Luke is ill so hopefully on Friday he trains with the team too, so we are fine in terms of our condition.”

The former Chelsea boss is keen for his players not to take Stoke lightly despite a poor start to the season which has seen them pick up only two draws from their opening six fixtures, insisting that the table at this stage of the campaign does not tell the true story.“It happens, but I am sure that in the end of May they will be in the Stoke area in the table. They will be there,” he added.

“I play against a good manager and good guys, that’s the important thing for me, the table is just a moment, just a period, and they will get over it for sure.”

The Old Trafford clash kicks off at 12:00 BST on Sunday when United will be looking to build on an improved run which has seen them record three straight wins, including last Saturday’s 4-1 mauling of Premier League champions Leicester City.

 

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Juventus ready to renew Dybala contract to keep suitors at bay

Juventus are ready to renew Paulo Dybala's contract in an attempt to prevent suitors from following up on their interest, according to reports.

Dybala enjoyed a spectacular debut season with the Bianconeri last term, scoring 23 goals in 46 games in all competitions.

The 22-year-old's exploits have led to him being linked with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United, and therefore Juve are hoping to tie him down to a new deal.

It is understood that Juve are willing to double Dybala's annual salary from €2.2 million (£1.9 million) to €4.4 million (£3.9 million) and have opened initial negotiations with the forward's team.

The Serie A champions are also hoping to come to an agreement with defender Leonardo Bonucci over fresh terms.

Bonucci, 29, excelled at Euro 2016 with Italy and was subsequently linked with a summer switch to Manchester City, though it is believed he will sign an extension with Massimiliano Allegri's side.

Juventus have made a strong start to the Serie A campaign, winning five of their opening six games in the Italian top flight.

 

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Wenger open to England job

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would be open to taking charge of England's national team in the future, with his contract at the Emirates Stadium expiring at the end of the season.

Sam Allardyce's tenure as England manager ended this week after just 67 days following alleged remarks he made in a video recorded by undercover reporters offering advice on how to circumvent Football Association (FA) rules on transfers.
Wenger has been mentioned as a potential replacement, but the Frenchman is only thinking about Arsenal for now.

"The England job? My priority is to do well here [at Arsenal]," Wenger said at a news conference as he celebrates his 20-year anniversary with the Gunners."This has always been my club. But one day if I am free, why not?

"But at the moment I am focused on my job."Though Wenger has a decision to make on his future beyond the current campaign, Wenger is in no rush to make up his mind."I will make a decision at the end of the season," he added."What influences me the most is the fact that I feel I do well and I can move this team forward."

The 66-year-old was initially expected to leave the north Londoners at the end of his existing deal, but he has admitted he is keen for his "love story" with Arsenal to continue."I don't know if there will be a 25th anniversary," Wenger stated. "I do not rule anything out though. It is a love story. You want it to keep going and last forever.

"I have a passion for the game and always have the desire to improve. I do not manage the same now as five years ago or 20 years ago. I want to work and do well. But I realise it can be over tomorrow. It is a love story. You want it to keep going and last forever, but it can be over any day. "It's certainly unusual in the modern world to work at one club for 20 years. The average life expectancy of a manager in England is about 18 months now.

"I think stability is very important as well in a company and the values, people who carry the values. For me a big club is first about values and its identity and the privilege I have to carry these values is very unusual in the modern game."It is a privilege to be here. I want to win absolutely everything here."

 

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Klopp eyes retirement before 60

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is already thinking about life after football and has made it clear he aims to retire before the age of 60.

The 49-year-old started his coaching career at Mainz in 2001 and also enjoyed a successful spell with Borussia Dortmund before taking charge of Liverpool in 2015.

Klopp is loving life at Anfield, but admits he cannot see himself staying in the game for much more than another decade."There will come a day where I decide it has been enough. I would say it is very, very unlikely that I will still be coaching at the age of 60," Klopp told RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland.

"I will definitely return to Germany to live there, but I do not know whether I will return to Germany as a coach. I have no plans to annoy someone who does not want me around with my presence at the end of my managerial career.

"And if Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool turn out to be the only three clubs I have coached at the end my career, at least it has been with great clubs."

Klopp remains fully focused on the job at hand at Liverpool for now, though, and has set his sights on winning silverware with the Anfield side. "I knew it would be hard to reject Liverpool if they came knocking. I have always liked Liverpool," he added.

"This is just how I have always imagined football should be, extremely emotional.
"It is now all about developing this club and ensure we come in a position we can win trophies again. Everything we win on the way to that stage is an added bonus. That's the plan."

 

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Fabregas and Azpilicueta left out of Spain squad

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has left Cesc Fabregas and Cesar Azpilicueta out of his squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Albania.

Fabregas, who has struggled to make himself a regular fixture for Chelsea so far this season, was not included in Lopetegui's maiden squad in August.

His Chelsea team-mate Azpilicueta, 27, was named in the side but has been dropped for Spain's latest round of fixtures.Elsewhere in-form Napoli star Jose Callejon has been called up to represent his country.

Callejon has not featured for La Rioja since a pair of substitute appearances in 2014 but has been in superb form this season, with five goals in six Serie A appearances.

Real Madrid defender Nacho and Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico are also in having missed out on Lopetegui's first squad for the September internationals against Belgium and Liechtenstein, while Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta is back from injury.

Isco returns to the national team fold despite playing just 54 La Liga minutes for Madrid this season.

Marco Asensio, who has been more prominently involved with Madrid than Isco this term, will drop down to the Under-21 squad while injured Borussia Dortmund centre-back Marc Bartra has not made the cut along with Barcelona forward Paco Alcacer."Callejon can give us a lot of things," Lopetegui said. "He is at a very high level.

"Sergio Rico has also been playing well. We want to have him here."Fabregas has played a little bit more at Chelsea. We like Cesc, but we have to choose. There are a lot of players and we can't call them all. I hope he can play more minutes.

"Isco is a player I like. I believe in him. I would like him to play more minutes at Real Madrid."Marco Asensio has a present and a future, but we evaluated other options for these two matches."

Spain squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders: Nacho (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)

Midfielders: Koke (Atletico Madrid), Saul Níguez (Atletico Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid)


Forward: Nolito (Manchester City), Jose Callejon (Napoli), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Vitolo (Sevilla), Diego Costa (Chelsea) and Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid)

 

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VAMOS ESPANA!​

 

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Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace: Battle of the Belgians ends in stalemate

Christian Benteke struck a second-half equaliser to earn Crystal Palace a 1-1 Premier draw at Everton after Romelu Lukaku had given them the lead on Friday.

Lukaku continued his fine form as the former Chelsea man netted his fifth league goal of the campaign, but Everton were unable to bounce back from last Saturday's defeat at Bournemouth.Palace's defence had already come under threat from Lukaku on a couple of occasions before he curled home a fine free-kick in the 35th minute.

The visitors were not behind for too long, though, Benteke's excellent header early in the second half restoring parity and ushering in a frantic period of end-to-end football.

Both sides enjoyed periods of supremacy as the match approached its climax, with Gareth Barry and Joe Ledley going close, but ultimately there was nothing to separate the teams.

Everton were full of intent right from the off at Goodison and it was Yannick Bolasie in particular who caused his former colleagues issues during the early exchanges.

The tricky winger crafted the first opening in the ninth minute, cutting inside Wilfried Zaha and clipping a brilliant cross in towards Lukaku, who headed wide with the faintest of touches.

Lukaku was presented with another chance 10 minutes later after Ross Barkley robbed Joe Ledley and fed the striker, but the Belgian's right-footed effort was saved with ease by Steve Mandanda.Palace battled their way back into proceedings well and looked a threat through Zaha, though they soon found themselves behind.

Damien Delaney was penalised for a high foot on Phil Jagielka – who actually handled the ball – just outside the area, and Lukaku rifled a crisp effort over the static wall and beyond the helpless Mandanda ten minutes before the break.

Palace were level just four minutes into the second period, however, as Benteke met Joel Ward's looping cross with a brilliant header and found the net via the right-hand post.

But Alan Pardew's men were lucky to not fall behind again just a few moments later. Bolasie glided into the Palace area and laid the ball on a plate for Idrissa Gueye, only for Martin Kelly to produce a crucial block.Everton saw another chance go begging in the 67th minute as Barry's glancing header was cleared at the right-hand post by Jason Puncheon, though Palace remained a real threat.

Ledley tested Maarten Stekelenburg with a header of his own nine minutes later, but the Everton keeper made no mistake when plucking it out of the air.The excellent Lukaku turned provider eight minutes from the end, flicking a clever pass into the area for Seamus Coleman.

But the defender sliced his effort over the crossbar from just inside the box with what proved to be the final opportunity.

 

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Ibrahimovic turned down €100m from China - Raiola

Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned down a staggering offer worth €100 million from an unnamed Chinese club in the summer, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

The Swedish striker moved to Manchester United on a free transfer in the summer after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired.

Ibrahimovic is reported to earn in excess of £200,000-per-week at Old Trafford, but Raiola claims he could have lined his pockets even further had he decided to move to the Far East.

Speaking to Il Giornale, he said: “Ibrahimovic is the best. He turned down €100m net from the Chinese! He doesn’t want more money, he wants to win.“I’ve been lucky, I’ve always had champions. Zlatan, [Pavel] Nedved, Maxwell and now [Blaise] Matuidi and [Gigio] Donnarumma.

“He [Donnarumma] will become even better than [Gigi] Buffon, because whoever comes in the future is always better than the past.”Raiola also claims that another of his clients, Mario Balotelli, must follow the example set by Ibrahimovic if he is ever to reach his full potential.“Mario is a phenomenon, but he’s Balotelli,” Raiola joked.

“He was lucky enough to be adopted by two great people, but in a tough town [Bagnolo Mella], let’s face it: a racist one.

“He suffered a lot when he was a child, and he’s always been that way in the head. If he had the mentality of Zlatan, with his talent he’d have won five Ballon d’Ors."

 

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Pochettino rules out 'impossible' England move

Mauricio Pochettino says that it is "impossible" to envisage him leaving Tottenham to take charge of England.Have Anderlecht uncovered the next Lionel Messi?

Sam Allardyce's tenure as Three Lions manager ended this week after just 67 days, following remarks that he made in a video recorded by undercover reporters offering advice on how to circumvent rules on transfers.

Pochettino has had a strong influence over England selection in recent years, handing numerous home-grown players chances at both Southampton and Spurs, bolstering the national side's stocks in the process.

The likes of Dele Alli, Luke Shaw, Eric Dier and Harry Kane have become England regulars after top-flight exposure at the hands of Pochettino, who is not ruling out a future move into the international game, but the Argentine's sole focus at present is on matters at White Hart Lane.Wenger open to England job

"Yes. Why not? In the future, yes. Not now - it's impossible," Pochettino told reporters when quizzed on his interest in the England role."We signed a new five-year contract here but now it is not my moment; not only for England but Argentina too."

Pochettino will pit his wits against Pep Guardiola on Sunday as Spurs and Manchester City meet in a battle of the Premier League's top two at White Hart Lane. The Argentine was victorious over Guardiola when his Espanyol team beat Barcelona 2-1 back in 2009 but he feels that their previous encounter means little.

"This was in the past and I don't like to speak too much about the past," he added."Football is present and future. The most important thing is to play well and show our quality and then to say hello to him and his staff.

"We played against each other as players a lot and then as managers, with him at Barcelona and me at Espanyol. Mikel Arteta other members of staff there are good friends of mine. It will be good to see them.'Ibrahimovic turned down €100m from China!'

"Maybe we are a bit behind them now in the project but our expectation is a long-term [plan] to compete with all the big clubs like City, United, Liverpool and different clubs.

"For us, it's important to build. We are building a different philosophy. To build a new stadium, an unbelievable training ground, is to set the principle for a big, big club. Our ambition is to be one of the biggest in the world but, for that, you need time and a process."

 

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Gundogan returns for Germany after lengthy absence

Ilkay Gundogan could make his first Germany appearance for almost a year after being named in a 22-man squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Czech Republic and Northern Ireland.

The Manchester City midfielder has returned after a serious knee injury saw him miss Euro 2016 and Germany's 3-0 win against Norway in their first qualifier in Group C. Mario Gomez, Jerome Boateng and Sebastian Rudy are also included after missing that victory through injury.

Emre Can, Karim Bellarabi and Andre Schurrle miss out from the last squad, while Niklas Sule and Jonathan Tah drop into the Under-21s.

Joachim Low's side host Czech Republic and Northern Ireland on October 8 and 11, respectively.Have Anderlecht found the next Lionel Messi?

"These two home matches are very important for us," said Low on the German national team's official website."We started well in Norway and we want to win the next matches and maintain the lead in our group."

Germany squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Hoffenheim)

Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Wolfsburg), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund)

Forwards: Mario Gomez (Wolfsburg), Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Volland (Bayer Leverkusen)

 

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Mata: I've never had problems with Mourinho

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is adamant that he has never had any problems with Jose Mourinho.

Mata fell out of favour at Chelsea while Mourinho was in charge before moving to Old Trafford in 2014, although the Portuguese recently claimed he had no desire to sell the playmaker.

And therefore there were questions over whether Mata would still have a future at United following the appointment of Mourinho ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.
But Mata, 28, has since refuted claims that he and Mourinho ever fell out at Chelsea."My relationship with Mourinho has never been bad," Mata said.

"Many lies were told about me and Mourinho when he arrived at the club this summer.

"It bothered me that every day I had to read and listen to rumours that were not true. With him I am fine."You read a lot of comments on Facebook and Twitter but they just make you laugh."

Mata has netted two goals in eight appearances in all competitions so far this term.

 

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Dani Alves: Juventus expect to win Champions League

Dani Alves has set his sights on Champions League glory with Juventus and believes the Serie A champions have what it takes to go all the way in Europe.

Massimiliano Allegri's men beat Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 on Tuesday to make it four points from two games in Group H after their scoreless draw with Sevilla on matchday one.A double header against Lyon awaits now and Alves is confident they can see off the French side on their way to the knockout stages.

"Juventus are an excellent side and are capable of taking on anyone in Europe," Alves told Sky Sport.

"With that quality comes the expectation of going all the way in every competition and, step by step, we can do it. Of course it won't be easy, just like becoming domestic champions or winning every match possible, but this is what you expect from a club like Juve.

"We have the requisite focus to sustain our form over the entire campaign.

"A club like this will always be expected to entertain its supporters with league titles and good football and that pressure is an added motivation to succeed. That, after all, is what pushes you to the very top."

Juventus made it to the final of the Champions League in 2014-15, where Barcelona proved to be too strong.

 

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Rashford looking to emulate Ronaldo's path

Manchester United sensation Marcus Rashford has identified Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo as the example he intends to follow in his quest for Old Trafford stardom.

The United academy product burst on to the scene last term with a double against Midtjylland in the Europa League on February 25, before repeating the feat against Arsenal in the Premier League just three days later.

Rashford has since gone on to become a real threat for United and, after initially struggling to get into Jose Mourinho's team at the start of the season, he now has four goals in his last seven appearances across all competitions.

And with the 18-year-old tipped for the top, he is aiming to follow in the footsteps of another former Old Trafford favourite."In recent years Ronaldo is the example," he told Sky Sports.

"Wherever you put him in the attacking three he's going to make an impact and the opposition are going to fear him. Being a constant threat, that's what I need to develop.

"[Wayne] Rooney and Ronaldo were unreal [together]. In 2007/08 it was an unreal partnership, they have been huge players I have looked up to and watched how they perform to try to put into my own performance."