Mourinho expects strong Premier League defence from Leicester

As we arrive closer and closer to the start of the English Premier League, last season’s FA Cup champions, Manchester United, square up against the league champions, Leicester City.

Ranieri admits it will be hard to replicate last season’s title success, especially as midfield dynamo N’Golo Kante has left for Chelsea and star man Riyad Mahrez could yet follow him out of the door.

“There are some gifts, only for them?”

Manchester United defenders Chris Smalling and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are set to be available for new manager Jose Mourinho.

The Italian rewarded his players for clean sheets by taking them out for pizza during last season.

I watched Craig in the training sessions, he is very focused on the job, if there is some news I will speak to you. Forget what we achieved, I want more. And now I want more. Everybody worked hard, but not as a team, and that is the difference. I think they can cope.

With so much competition for the attacking positions in the squad this is a great opportunity for the forwards to stake their claim with a goal.

Mourinho departed with the stench of a dressing room rebellion but Ranieri was convinced that could not happen with his players – who have just been given a £100,000 BMW i8 each as a timely reward for their fantastic exploits last season.

“I am very curious what we can do now”.

It will be with a sharp competition as United are starting a new era with Jose Murhinho at the helm. Indeed, the general consensus that Ranieri will do well to keep his team in the top ten.

“Yes, I will be very happy”, he said. I don’t know, but I want the maximum. Both were on the score sheet in a 5-2 win over Galatasaray, but couldn’t find the net in a goalless draw against Everton on Wednesday in a match that acted as Rooney’s testimonial.

They believe the France worldwide will undergo his medical tomorrow. Suffer for your team-mates, that’s the philosophy.

He said: “When I have built something, it has never been destroyed”.

“I expect a very strong and well-organised Manchester United team”.

“When Chelsea played in the FA Cup final against Arsenal it was in Cardiff when the stadium was being re-built”. When is the Community Shield a friendly? “So we will take it very seriously”. We will give the maximum and also Manchester United will too. Wembley will host the curtain-raiser of the season as the Foxes go in search for their first taste of blood for the campaign.

The manager, however, insists that winning has only made him hungrier than ever.

“I am a new coach and I am still young”.

“One of my strengths is always to have the right balance, never give up”.