Man United more than just Ibra - Karanka - ESPN

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is looking forward to playing against his former mentor Jose Mourinho and Man United.

Jose Mourinho is not confident that Wayne Rooney will be fit to return for Man United's clash with Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has warned his players not to be fooled into believing they can succeed at Manchester United just by stopping Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic, 35, has scored 17 goals in all competitions, with 12 in the Premier League, since joining United on a free transfer in the summer.

Karanka, who was Mourinho's assistant at Real Madrid, knows his side will have to limit the Swede's opportunities but said United have many more threats.

He said: "He is one of the best players in the world. He is still young even when he is 30-and-I-don't-know-how-many-more.

"He is a big reference for them, he's a player I know Jose likes a lot, but behind Ibrahimovic, there is [Paul] Pogba and [Ander] Herrera and [Juan] Mata and a lot of players.

"Speaking about Jose's team, it's like here [Boro] -- it's about the team.

"Manchester United are playing well, they are organised and they have amazing players but, again, they are not just one or two or three. They have a lot of good players, but above everything is the team."

Boro head for Old Trafford having lost three of their last four league games, the latest of them at Burnley on Boxing Day.

However, they remain in 15th place in the table and four points above the drop zone.

Asked for his assessment as the season approaches its halfway point, the Spaniard said: "It's difficult, but I can tell you that I would have signed at the beginning of the season to be in this position -- and more than this position, the way that we are playing because we have 18 points and sometimes we have not played well.

"But now we have 18 points and the consistency that we are showing is really good. We can compete against everybody, so it's important.

"It's about adding experience and keeping playing in that style."

Boro will be without suspended defender Antonio Barragan and injured winger Viktor Fischer, but their number could be boosted within days with talks reported to be underway with Aston Villa over striker Rudy Gestede^[1], although Karanka was giving nothing away.

He said: "The market is open on Jan. 1 or 2, so for now, it's Manchester United."

References

1. ^{^} talks reported to be underway with Aston Villa over striker Rudy Gestede (www.gazettelive.co.uk)

Jose: United yet to receive acceptable bids - ESPN FC

The FC crew evaluate Memphis Depay's struggles with Manchester United and concerns about his lifestyle off the pitch.

Steve Nicol does not feel Jose Mourinho foresees Anthony Martial in his plans at Man United.

FC's Gab Marcotti dusts off his Gab-O-Meter on the likelihood of Benfica defender Victor Lindelof joining Manchester United.

MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho has warned that Manchester United will not allow unwanted players to leave Old Trafford on the cheap next month after revealing that the club have yet to receive acceptable offers for the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

United received a £13 million bid from West Bromwich Albion for Schneiderlin last week^[1] -- an offer that has been rejected by the Old Trafford board.

But with a number of fringe players expected to be the subject of offers next month, Mourinho insists that they will only be allowed to leave permanently and on United's terms -- a statement that ends Sevilla's hopes of landing forward Anthony Martial on loan^[2].

"I don't want to sell players," Mourinho said. "The club and the board is totally with me, but as I told before, if a player is not having lots of minutes and really wants to leave, we have no right to stop him leaving if the conditions are our conditions.

"But we have not received one single offer that we are going to accept.

"Sam Johnstone [third-choice goalkeeper] is the only player that I will allow to go on loan. He doesn't play one minute and he needs to play.

"We have a young keeper in Joel Pereira, he played many minutes in last six months in Portuguese Premier League [on loan at Belenenses], so now is time to play six months for Sam."

Jose Mourinho has said he will not loan any member of his squad except Sam Johnstone.

Mourinho, meanwhile, confirmed that captain Wayne Rooney is still not fit to return to action in time for Saturday's Old Trafford clash with Middlesbrough.

The game brings Mourinho up against Boro manager, and former Real Madrid assistant, Aitor Karanka for the first time.

"He is my friend and a real friend," Mourinho said. "I always want him to win and he always wants me to win, but tomorrow is the first time where I want to win against him. That's football.

"Sometimes brothers against brothers happened, a father against his son maybe, and that would be even more difficult.

"But for 90 minutes, he and I want to win, and that is it."

Mourinho has insisted he will not rotate his squad for the Boro clash, with 35-year-olds Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Michael Carrick both expected to figure.

"Against Middlesbrough, we will think about them and try to choose the team that gives guarantees and chances to win the game," he said.

"That includes everyone who is available. This is the match, not West Ham, Reading or Liverpool, we will go with the best players available."

Mark Ogden is a senior football writer for ESPN FC. Follow him @MarkOgden_

References

1. ^{^} United received a £13 million bid from West Bromwich Albion for Schneiderlin last week (www.espnfc.com)
2. ^{^} Sevilla's hopes of landing forward Anthony Martial on loan (www.espnfc.com)

Manchester United news: Zlatan Ibrahimovic reveals how Paul Pogba has turned his form around - Metro

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has spoken on Paul Pogba’s improvement in form (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has explained why Paul Pogba has been able to improve his performances.

The world record summer signing started slowly at Old Trafford, but has grown in to his role in the team â€" especially since being played alongside Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera in a midfield three.

Jurgen Klopp admits he was surprised at the Old Trafford atmosphere^[1]

According to Ibrahimovic, it just took the midfielder calming down to get back to his best.

‘I think when Paul came, in his first period in United, let’s say the first month, I think he wanted to demonstrate too much that he was worth the transfer that happened instead of playing his game like he knows how to play,’ the 35-year-old told ESPN.

Paul Pogba has helped Man Utd to four straight victories (Picture: Getty)

‘When that started to cool down, he started to play like he knows how to play, and he makes it more easier for himself, doesn’t need to demonstrate because everyone knows who Paul is, what he has been doing at Juventus for the past three to four years, what he’s able to do, and now he’s playing more like Pogba.

More: Football^[2]

Gary Neville: Why Arsenal, Liverpool & Man City can beat Chelsea to the title

Conte speaks out on Courtois to Real Madrid rumours

He's back! Mourinho hands Man United star a lifeline ahead of Middlesbrough clash

‘He has nothing to demonstrate, he has nothing to show, he just needs to enjoy the game and help the team like he’s doing now. So now he’s playing like a mature player and you see the results.’

MORE: Mourinho insists Martial will not be leaving Man Utd on loan^[3]

References

1. ^{^} Jurgen Klopp admits he was surprised at the Old Trafford atmosphere (metro.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Football (metrouk2.wordpress.com)
3. ^{^} Mourinho insists Martial will not be leaving Man Utd on loan (metro.co.uk)

Manchester United v Middlesbrough - BBC Sport

Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan has scored in his last three matches.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney may again be absent due to the thigh injury which ruled him out of the Boxing Day win over Sunderland.

Luke Shaw is the only other first-team player on the injury list, but manager Jose Mourinho says he is "not far" from a return.

Middlesbrough defender Antonio Barragan is suspended after he received his fifth booking of the season.

Winger Viktor Fischer is missing because of a knee injury.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Steve Bower: "The calendar year has certainly had its highs and lows for Manchester United, but 2016 is drawing to a close with real momentum.

"Jose Mourinho's side look to be in the groove as they aim for their fifth league win in a row. If they can maintain their recent consistency and performance levels into 2017 then a Champions League charge could be within reach.

"Plotting to upset the odds is Mourinho's former assistant Aitor Karanka, who meets his mentor as a manager for the first time.

"He can be satisfied with Middlesbrough's season so far and will see any kind of result at Old Trafford as a welcome new year bonus."

Twitter: @SteveBowerComm^[1]

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "The team spirit I see is just fantastic.

"It is getting better every single day and I think that is showing in the way we are playing, because some of the football we have produced in recent weeks has been very good."

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka: "Manchester United are playing well, they are organised and they have amazing players.

"But they are not just one or two or three [players]. They have a lot of good players, but above everything is the team."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Middlesbrough will not change their defensive game-plan at Old Trafford but Manchester United are probably the most improved team in the Premier League in the past few weeks.

Boss Jose Mourinho has found a system that works and, no matter what Boro do, I think they will find a way through.

Prediction: 2-0

Lawro's full predictions v hip hop duo Run The Jewels ^[2]

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.^[3]

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Manchester United are unbeaten in the last seven league meetings (W4, D3). Their last defeat was a 4-1 loss at the Riverside in October 2005.
• However, United were knocked out of the League Cup at Old Trafford in the most recent encounter in October last season. Boro triumphed 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
• Middlesbrough's last league win at Old Trafford came in February 2004.

Manchester United

• Manchester United could win five league matches in the same month for the first time since December 2012.
• They are unbeaten in nine league games, and in their last seven at Old Trafford (W3, D4).
• United kept a clean sheet in their final league game of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been involved in 14 Premier League goals this season (12 goals, two assists) - eight more than any other Manchester United player.

Middlesbrough

• Middlesbrough have lost three of their last four league matches.
• They have enjoyed just one win in their last 22 Premier League away games (D6, L15).
• Boro haven't lost their final league game of a calendar year since 2009 (W4, D2).
• Only Hull, with 14 goals, have scored fewer than Middlesbrough's tally of 16 this season.

SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-0	Probability of draw: 31%
Probability of home win: 54%	Probability of away win: 15%

SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

References

1. ^{^} Twitter: @SteveBowerComm (twitter.com)
2. ^{^} Lawro's full predictions v hip hop duo Run The Jewels (www.bbc.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Predictor game. (www.bbc.co.uk)

Man Utd 15:00 Middlesbrough - BBC Sport

Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan has scored in his last three matches.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney may again be absent due to the thigh injury which ruled him out of the Boxing Day win over Sunderland.

Luke Shaw is the only other first-team player on the injury list, but manager Jose Mourinho says he is "not far" from a return.

Middlesbrough defender Antonio Barragan is suspended after he received his fifth booking of the season.

Winger Viktor Fischer is missing because of a knee injury.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Steve Bower: "The calendar year has certainly had its highs and lows for Manchester United, but 2016 is drawing to a close with real momentum.

"Jose Mourinho's side look to be in the groove as they aim for their fifth league win in a row. If they can maintain their recent consistency and performance levels into 2017 then a Champions League charge could be within reach.

"Plotting to upset the odds is Mourinho's former assistant Aitor Karanka, who meets his mentor as a manager for the first time.

"He can be satisfied with Middlesbrough's season so far and will see any kind of result at Old Trafford as a welcome new year bonus."

Twitter: @SteveBowerComm^[1]

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "The team spirit I see is just fantastic.

"It is getting better every single day and I think that is showing in the way we are playing, because some of the football we have produced in recent weeks has been very good."

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka: "Manchester United are playing well, they are organised and they have amazing players.

"But they are not just one or two or three [players]. They have a lot of good players, but above everything is the team."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Middlesbrough will not change their defensive game-plan at Old Trafford but Manchester United are probably the most improved team in the Premier League in the past few weeks.

Boss Jose Mourinho has found a system that works and, no matter what Boro do, I think they will find a way through.

Prediction: 2-0

Lawro's full predictions v hip hop duo Run The Jewels ^[2]

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.^[3]

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Manchester United are unbeaten in the last seven league meetings (W4, D3). Their last defeat was a 4-1 loss at the Riverside in October 2005.
• However, United were knocked out of the League Cup at Old Trafford in the most recent encounter in October last season. Boro triumphed 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
• Middlesbrough's last league win at Old Trafford came in February 2004.

Manchester United

• Manchester United could win five league matches in the same month for the first time since December 2012.
• They are unbeaten in nine league games, and in their last seven at Old Trafford (W3, D4).
• United kept a clean sheet in their final league game of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been involved in 14 Premier League goals this season (12 goals, two assists) - eight more than any other Manchester United player.

Middlesbrough

• Middlesbrough have lost three of their last four league matches.
• They have enjoyed just one win in their last 22 Premier League away games (D6, L15).
• Boro haven't lost their final league game of a calendar year since 2009 (W4, D2).
• Only Hull, with 14 goals, have scored fewer than Middlesbrough's tally of 16 this season.

SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-0	Probability of draw: 31%
Probability of home win: 54%	Probability of away win: 15%

SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

References

1. ^{^} Twitter: @SteveBowerComm (twitter.com)
2. ^{^} Lawro's full predictions v hip hop duo Run The Jewels (www.bbc.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Predictor game. (www.bbc.co.uk)