MANCHESTER RE-UNITED has turned Italy’s top-flight into Serie Eight – with Jose Mourinho’s move to Roma topping off the 2017-18 flashback.
The former United and Chelsea boss will have plenty of frenemies close at hand after finding almost instant employment for next season following his sacking by Tottenham.
In-form Roma duo Chris Smalling and especially Henrik Mkhitaryan might be wary of Mourinho’s upcoming arrival, having struggled under the Special One at Old Trafford.
But four United old boys will be on a high – after clinching title glory with Inter Milan.
Free-scoring Romelu Lukaku leads that quartet, with bit-part roles for Ashley Young, Matteo Darmian (on loan from Parma) and Alexis Sanchez completing the foursome.
But star billing to the eight goes to Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, still a strike menace aged 39 after returning to AC Milan from LA Galaxy.
Completing the list is the one man who officially remains a United player.
Brazil midfielder Andreas Pereira is on loan at Lazio following temporary spells in Spain with Granada and Valencia.
The 25-year-old and Belgium superstar Lukaku, 27, are the only players of the 2017-18 vintage aged under 31.
Mourinho’s United were runners-up to neighbours City that season, albeit 19 points drift, and also lost the FA Cup final 1-0 to Chelsea.
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The ex-Real Madrid and Inter chief was then axed in December after United won just seven wins from their first 17 Prem games of 2018-19.
But instead of a title push, Mourinho’s target at Roma will be Champions League spot.
Their current seventh position seems their best realistic ambition for this term.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
