Jose Mourinho retains the full backing of Manchester United’s board despite Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat at Brighton, BBC Sport reports.
The result and performance have attracted widespread criticism.
Mourinho is the favorite to be the next Premier League boss to leave his job, with suggestions that former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is being considered as a potential replacement.
A United source said, “Why would we discuss Zidane when there is no job?”
Mourinho was disappointed by the failure to make more outfield signings during the summer transfer window beyond Brazil midfielder Fred and teenage full-back Diogo Dalot, who is injured.
He wanted additional cover in central defence and an alternative to Anthony Martial out wide.
However, in both instances, the United board felt there was no worthwhile signing available.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright says there is “blood in the water” at Old Trafford amid apparent discord behind the scenes.
Mourinho said United made “incredible mistakes” as they were beaten by Brighton.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live’s Monday Night Club, Wright said, “Ed Woodward’s unhappy, the manager’s unhappy, the players are unhappy and the fans are.”
Mourinho warned in the summer that his side faced “a difficult season” if they did not strengthen before the transfer window closed.
Real Madrid suffered a humiliating 2-1 home defeat by Leganes on Wednesday to exit the King’s Cup at the quarter-final stage on away goals. A much-changed Real side, missing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, held a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
But their troubled season hit a new low as they were outplayed by a team lying 13th in La Liga.
Leganes started brightly and Claudio Beauvue sent a free kick against the post in the opening exchanges, and the visitors were deservedly level on aggregate after half an hour.
A mishap between Achraf Hakimi and Nacho allowed Javier Eraso the space to produce a stunning finish from outside the box.
Beauvue sent a volley into the side netting on the stroke of half-time as a shell-shocked Real were jeered off the pitch at the break.
That appeared to bring about a reaction from the home side and Karim Benzema produced a neat finish from an acute angle immediately after the restart.
This put Zinedine Zidane’s men ahead on aggregate.
Leganes centre-back Dimitris Siovas missed a gilt-edged chance as he headed back across the six-yard box with the goal gaping.
But moments later Gabriel Pires made no mistake as he thumped home a header to put Leganes through on away goals.
They joined Valencia, who defeated last season’s finalists Alaves on penalties earlier on Wednesday, and Sevilla, who knocked out Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, in the draw for the last four.
League leaders FC Barcelona host Espanyol on Thursday, trailing 1-0 from the first leg in the last quarter-final fixture.
Source
Reuters | NAN
Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will feature for 90 minutes, in their Trofeo Bernabeu game against Fiorentina on Wednesday.
Ronaldo is currently serving a domestic five-match suspension and cannot play until Madrid’s La Liga clash against Real Betis on September 20. However, the suspension does not affect his participation in Wednesday’s match at the Bernabeu.
Zidane told RMTV that the game was an opportunity for Ronaldo and other players who have not featured so much recently to improve their match fitness.
“It’s an important game for the fans,” Zidane said.
“This year it falls after the first La Liga matchday and we’ll be trying to deliver a good performance, but above all, we’ll be looking to ensure that the players get more playing time under their belts.
“We’re in good shape fitness-wise and there are players like Cristiano Ronaldo who are going to start the game and play the full 90 minutes. We want the trophy to remain here and we’re aiming to put in a good performance.”
Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has signed a new three-year deal with the club, according to multiple Spanish outlets. His new contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, will see him earn around €8million a year, twice the salary he previously got paid. He will also see his bonus per title doubled.
Zidane’s new agreement with the La Liga giants is reward for his incredible achievements in charge of the club. He became the first coach in the modern era, to successfully defend a Champions League title this year, after defeating Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff on June 3.
The Frenchman also won the La Liga title last season ahead of fierce rivals Barcelona. His new deal is expected to be confirmed by Madrid, after their Spanish Super Cup game against Barcelona on Sunday.
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