St Etienne vs Manchester United

Earlier, Rooney did not travel with the squad for Wednesday’s Europa League last-32, second leg at St Etienne despite training on the eve of the match, amid continuing media speculation about his future at the club.

The Red Devils arrived in France boasting a 3-0 lead from the first leg, but Mourinho still named a strong team as he sought to ensure no slip-ups. With the EPL Cup final coming up this weekend, Jose Mourinho could choose to rest some of his regular players, which could give Saint Etienne an opportunity to strike back. Sign up now for a free 24-hour trial.

Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench to combine for the latter to net a second-half victor at Ewood Park, maintaining United’s interest in four competitions.

Wayne Rooney, club captain and recent goalscoring record-breaker, was at likely at home watching the game on TV. “There might be an anti-Zlatan plan or an anti-Paul Pogba plan, but in that team the danger can come from elsewhere, from everywhere”.

Hello and welcome to an occasion on which we find out whether José Mourinho can match the panache of vintage Saint Etienne. The date of United’s own Chelsea sixth round tie was announced an hour before they ran out to play Saint-Etienne, in a tie from which they emerged 4-0 aggregate winners.

“I don’t do that as Manchester United manager”.

However, the hosts have lost four of their last six games, winning the other two.

Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou Evergrande are among the clubs said to be interested in Rooney, who will miss the return leg at St Etienne through injury and potentially Sunday’s EFL Cup final with Southampton. The duo should be available from the bench, though, if need be.

According to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror, United have given Rooney the go-ahead to move to China, where he would become the highest-paid player in world football on £750,000 a week. “Everyone has an opinion but to play at the level he’s played at and done what’s done such as the goals he has scored for Manchester United, he’s just phenomenal”.