Jose Mourinho always wins the league title in his second season.
And while he acknowledges that it will be a challenge to continue that happy habit in the coming campaign, Mourinho insists that Manchester United are intending to “go for it.”
The Red Devils host West Ham this afternoon and Mourinho has named the below XI for the first game of his sophomore season in the Old Trafford dugout.
New signings Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic start while there is no place in the squad for Victor Lindelof or fan favourite Ander Herrera, an interesting exclusion from the starting line up.
Our first @PremierLeague starting XI of the season… #MUFC #MUNWHU pic.twitter.com/GYNn2sEfqO
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 13, 2017
“I want to play West Ham a difficult match, then go to Swansea for another difficult match. I want the Champions League to start. I want, I want, I’m on fire. But I will behave on the touchline, even if goals are offside,” Mourinho said ahead of the game.
“In many ways, it is my team. In terms of the squad, this is my second transfer window. I was thinking, three transfer windows, I need that. But after two windows I have a good group and a football club much better equipped.
“We are much better organised in the areas that support the first-team squad. We are much better organised at every level. So we will go for it this season. We are going to try to win the title.”
There will be a familiar face in the visitors’ ranks as their new forward Javier Hernandez makes his competitive debut at the stadium he called his own for six years.
Full debuts to Joe Hart, @pablo_zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic & @CH14_ 🙌#COYI #MUNWHU pic.twitter.com/G2TQZr2tyg
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 13, 2017
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