Gareth Bale is going nowhere… Jose Mourinho is just trying to rock the boat ahead of the Super Cup clash with Real Madrid
MANCHESTER UNITED have already beaten Real Madrid this pre-season thanks to the world’s worst penalty shootout.
But Tuesday night's Uefa Super Cup game in Skopje carries a little bit more significance, although it is effectively still a glorified friendly.
Winning or losing the Super Cup carries the same importance as the Community Shield but it doesn’t mean Jose Mourinho won’t be desperate to win the cup against his former employers.
His record in cup finals is phenomenal; since 2003, he has won 13 out of 15 cup finals and that will give Man United fans confidence of a result.
Of course, lots of talk ahead of the game is about Gareth Bale after Mourinho said he would fight to sign the Welshman if he was left out of the Madrid squad to face United.
Only last week, Jose refused to talk about players in other teams and this week he’s talking about Bale directly.
To me, it looks like nothing more than a mind game from the master - Bale is going nowhere, Real Madrid won’t be selling him, so United fans shouldn’t be getting excited.
It’s just Mourinho trying to rock the boat and you know what? It’s probably worked.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
As for Cristiano Ronaldo being included in the squad after he was expected to be missing, it’s not a shock is it?
He’s the world’s best player. No doubt he’ll score against us and it will make me want to sign Ronaldo again but that’s not going to happen.
The real importance of tonight is simply seeing how United play because in four days time we kick off in the Premier League against West Ham United.
Romelu Lukaku has settled in very well and looks the real deal straight away.
United have to gear their football more towards getting the most out of him but I expect him to cause Real Madrid’s centre-backs all sorts of problems.
Especially if Paul Pogba’s pre-season continues because his confidence is absolutely flowing.
Defensively, we’re all over the shop in terms of personnel.
Phil Jones and Eric Bailly are both suspended and I would have arguably started the pair together.
Victor Lindelof has had a shaky start to life at United while Chris Smalling’s form has been questionable for so long.
Daley Blind has had an awful pre-season and Marcos Rojo is injured, while Axel Tuanzebe has steadily been growing in influence.
So, I expect David De Gea to have a busy night and once again show Real Madrid how good he is - unlucky lads, he’s going nowhere.
I also can’t wait to see Nemanja Matic playing up against elite level competition in a holding midfield role.
When Michael Carrick played there against Barcelona in the pre-season, Ivan Rakitic exposed his lack of pace and ran in behind on so many occasions.
Matic has to make sure Luka Modric isn’t able to do that.
Tonight’s match will give United fans a real insight into how Mourinho will line us up against West Ham.
While winning or losing the cup carries no importance, heading into that match by winning the cup with a strong performance against the current European champions would bring some real confidence ahead of the Premier League season kicking off.
Have you signed up to play fantasy football yet?
If the answer is no you need to take a long, hard look at yourself.
Because the Dream Team game – the UK’s biggest fantasy football game – is back and better than ever this season.
You’ve got a £50m budget to pick 11 players, with all the biggest new signings ready and raring to go ahead of a mouthwatering new Premier League campaign.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up to play now!