That’s the opinion of Phil Jones, who reckons United’s players need to increase their focus if they are to enjoy a successful campaign.
Manchester United should concentrate on themselves and not rivals Man City as they attempt to overhaul the Premier League champions this season.
“You have to adjust and adapt to that, but it’s great to be a part of,” he told manutd.com.
“The top six look very good and are going to be very competitive, so it’s going to be tough for us again this season – we know that – but I think we just need to focus on us a bit more and concentrate on how we’re going to approach games and let’s see where it takes us.”
Jose Mourinho does not expect Sergio Romero, Antonio Valencia, Diogo Dalot, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic to return to the matchday squad for Sunday’s trip to Brighton. But England World Cup heroes Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young could make their first appearances of the season.
I think we will have the same players [as against Leicester], he told reporters after the win against Leicester.
I think the injured players aren’t going to be back for Brighton. What we have is Paul [Pogba] with nine days’ training, [Marcus] Rashford with 11 days’ training, [Marouane] Fellaini with nine days’ training and, of course, they will be in a better condition.
Normally, these boys that [against Leicester] were in a difficult situation will be ready to give a bit more [against Brighton] – more [Romelu] Lukaku, more Rashford, probably Lingard coming back, more Fellaini. I think normally we’re going to have more.
With that in mind, here is a provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Lee Grant, Matej Kovar
Defenders Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Ashley Young,
Midfielders: Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Fred, Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira, Marouane Fellaini. Scott McTominay
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial
Source: Manchester evening news
