For 15 minutes on Saturday, Manchester United supporters were given a glimpse of what might just be possible. The scintillating spell before half-time that saw Watford’s defence torn to shreds by the pace and power of José Mourinho’s frontline was a timely reminder that, despite the much-criticised start to the season, he has an attack with frightening potential.
Yet United eventually left Vicarage Road indebted to David de Gea for ending their opponents’ 100% record following a shaky second-half display that must have tested even Mourinho’s nerves, and it was the failure to kill off the game that would have concerned their manager most. Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sánchez and Paul Pogba spurned chances to score a decisive third goal on the break, leading to a frantic final period that led to Nemanja Matic being dismissed for a second booking just before their goalkeeper’s late heroics.
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Mauricio Pochettino pointed the finger at his players after Tottenham's loss at Watford, but the FC crew agree he should be pointing at himself.
It has been six-and-a-half months since Harry Winks last started a match and 10 months since he last played at his top level with full fitness before November's ankle injury against Crystal Palace.
That is a long time in football, and players who miss lengthy stretches can sometimes be left behind. Teammates or rivals can seize their opportunities to impress. Sides can evolve without them.
Yet Winks has not lost any of his importance during his absence, for club or for country. Both squads...
Gernot Rohr has invited five home-based professionals ahead of the Super Eagles' international friendly against Liberia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia on Tuesday.
Three of the players are drawn from CAF Confederation Cup campaigners and seven-time Nigeria league champions Enyimba (Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Mfon Udoh and Sunday Adetunji), while FC Ifeanyi Ubah (Adeleye Olamilekan) and League champions Lobi Stars (Ebube Duru) contribute one apiece.
Ezenwa, who was a part of Nigeria's...