Man Utd news LIVE updates: Mourinho on Martial, stars like Ronaldo needed, Diatta warning

MAN UTD NEWS LIVE UPDATES: Follow below for all the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford…

Thursday September 28 

United nearly signed trio - Edwards

14.55: Manchester United came close to signing three of England’s greatest players during the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Former United chairman Martin Edwards says Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were all nearly Red Devils players.

“We nearly had him (Gascoigne), we thought we got him and in the end he went to Tottenham,” Edwards said on talkSPORT.

“Alan Shearer was close, I done the deal with Stevens his agent. He told Alex (Ferguson) he wanted to come. 

“We had the opportunity to get Gary Lineker before he went to Everton.”

United for title - Scholes

11:57: Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes reckons Jose Mourinho’s side can compete for the Premier League title this season.

Scholes said: ”I think so [United are title contenders]. From the first few games, they have a squad capable of winning the league.

"It's still early at the end of the day. From what I think, they have a chance of winning the league."

Mourinho's Palace concern

08.25: Jose Mourinho is concerned for Manchester United’s game against Crystal Palace due to the quick turnaround following their 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow.

“The Premier League is another story," he said after the game in Moscow.

“We play Saturday three o'clock against a fresh team and we have to play after this match.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground, stay humble and follow our direction because we are having a very good start to the season.

“We have started competitions strong in August and September and have now just one more game, a difficult one.”

Mourinho's Martial revelation

05:00: Jose Mourinho has revealed that he wanted to keep Anthony Martial on the pitch for the entire match against CSKA Moscow last night. 

Martial put in an impressive display, scoring the Red Devils’ second goal from the penalty spot and providing assists for the other three goals as United cruised to a 4-1 win over the CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. 

The France international limped off after 72 minutes, but Mourinho revealed that he was so pleased with his display that he wanted to keep him on the pitch for the entire match. 

“I think the game adapted to his qualities, the way we play adapted to his qualities too,” Mourinho said.  

“He had a lot of freedom and lots of support and lots of quality around him too. 

“OK, a goal is always important, even with a penalty.” 

“His contribution was good, but he couldn’t play 90 minutes [having limped off after 72 minutes]. 

“I was ready to leave him on the pitch the whole game.”

Man Utd need superstars like Ronaldo and Messi to challenge for UCL

04:30: Rio Ferdinand reckons Manchester United need to sign superstar players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in order to be in with a real chance of winning the Champions League. 

“Power and speed has been brought into this Manchester United team but you need more than that to win the Champions League – you need a superstar in your team to be the go-to guy when things are tight,” Ferdinand told BT Sport. 

“If you look at the Real Madrid team that have won it in recent seasons they’ve had a Cristiano Ronaldo and lately Isco, or Barcelona had Lionel Messi and Neymar.

“You need a star player and Man Utd have got players that could become that, but we need to find out who that will be and if they can reach that level.

“Winning the trophies Man Utd did last season is good experience for this squad and with the age of the players there’s plenty of potential there, but there are still steps to go.”