POGBA AND MATA DELIGHTED BY UNITED RESPONSE

Paul Pogba urged Manchester United's critics to judge them at the end of the season after getting on the scoresheet in Saturday's 4-1 thrashing of Leicester City.

World-record buy Pogba opened his United account with the fourth of the hosts' first-half goals and a third from corners as Leicester's set-piece defending failed to function.

The France international has come under scrutiny after underwhelming thus far on his return to Old Trafford, but he turned in a dominant showing against the Premier League champions.

"We were very focused, we knew it was going to be difficult and we showed a very big performance today," he told Sky Sports.

"We want to keep on with that. I am very happy for the result and the goal – I hope that is not going to be the last. 

"We have to carry on doing what we did today. We have our goals.

"I never look at the newspapers, I always say one thing – at the end we will see. So, at the end we will see."

Captain Chris Smalling opened the scoring and Marcus Rashford was also on target after Juan Mata scored a superb second.

The Spanish playmaker impressed throughout as United bounced back from consecutive Premier League losses to Manchester City and Watford.

"Today we showed what we can do," Mata told BBC Sport. "It was a difficult week last week, but I think we are back.

"I think it was the movement and the intensity and we showed we wanted to recover the ball quick and play the game in their half.

"If you play for a club like Manchester United and lose one or two games you know you are going to get criticised.

"We have won two in a row [after Wednesday's EFL Cup triumph at Northampton Town] and now we have two more before the international break."

MOURINHO COMPLETELY TRUSTS DROPPED ROONEY

Jose Mourinho maintained Wayne Rooney has a big part to play for Manchester United despite dropping the England captain for Saturday's 4-1 Premier League win over Leicester City.

United were rampant during the first half at Old Trafford, with Chris Smalling, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba all on target before the break as Rooney watched on.

But speaking after the match, Mourinho insisted 83rd-minute substitute Rooney retained his trust after a string of heavily criticised displays during the opening weeks of the season.

"He is a big player for me, a big player for Untied and a big payer for this country," Mourinho told Sky Sports.

"I have nothing else to say, he is my man I trust him completely.

"His team won, his United won. That's normal [that he is happy]."

INJURED MARTIAL TO MISS LEICESTER CLASH

Anthony Martial will miss Manchester United's Premier League match against champions Leicester City, manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed.

The France international had to be replaced after 38 minutes of United's 3-1 Premier League defeat to Watford last weekend and missed the 3-1 EFL Cup win over Northampton Town on Wednesday.

Martial, who on Friday revealed he had returned to training, will not be fit in time to take on Leicester on Saturday, with Mourinho stressing it is a calf injury, not a concussion, which has kept him out.

Speaking at a pre-match media conference, Mourinho said: "Martial is not available. 

"You are wrong because you say concussion - one thing is concussion, another thing is contusion.

"It is because of a contusion in the calf and ankle area.

"You know when that happened – I think you know," he added, referring to an apparent foul on the forward by Miguel Britos, whose tackle went unpunished, ahead of Watford's first goal at Vicarage Road.

Martial has played in all five of United's Premier League matches so far this season, without scoring.

Mourinho did not rule out Luke Shaw (groin) or Henrikh Mkhitaryan (thigh) for the Leicester game when asked about expected absentees through injury.

LACK OF MANCHESTER UNITED GAME-TIME 'FRUSTRATING' FOR RASHFORD

Marcus Rashford says he is frustrated by his lack of starts for Manchester United under Jose Mourinho, but thinks much of the squad are in the same boat.

The 18-year-old has only started once in the Premier League this season, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic the first-choice option at centre-forward following his move to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain.

Rashford insists he is not angry about his situation even if it can be testing and understands the strength of United's squad makes it tough to earn a regular place.

"It is frustrating but I'm not angry that I'm not playing because I understand it's difficult," the striker told Sky Sports.

"We have a lot of big players and a lot of players in my situation as well who are not getting the minutes they probably thought they deserved to get.

"But all of this is good for the squad because everyone is competing in training and it's improving us as players and as a squad. 

"What the manager has done with the team and the players is a good thing."

Rashford has three goals to his name in all competitions and adding to that tally is his top priority as the 2016-17 campaign progresses.

The England international also wants to become an "ultimate centre-forward" and gain confidence playing on either wing in order to boost his versatility and chances of selection.

Rashford added: "As a team we have a good squad and we can compete for the titles this season. On a personal level, scoring a lot of goals is the main objective.

"There's some games where your touch might be off but that doesn't mean that you can't score goals and win the game for your team.

"I want to become the ultimate centre forward. I want to be able to play on the left, on the right and down the middle.

"To do that I need to improve my game down the sides because my positioning in those areas, where I haven't played since I was 12 or 13, is a bit off.

"The manager has been doing some work with me off the left and right so I think he's trying to improve me in those areas.

"I'm just trying to play with freedom like I did last year and the manager supports me with that. Like he did in the Hull [City] game, the manager just tells me to go and help the team win the game.

"I was here, there and everywhere during that game trying to find gaps and help the team win the game."

ROONEY DROPPED FOR LEICESTER CITY CLASH

 Jose Mourinho has dropped Wayne Rooney from the Manchester United starting line-up for Saturday's clash against Leicester City.

The club captain has faced heavy criticism over his recent form and was unable to get back among the goals in the 3-1 EFL Cup win over Northampton Town on Wednesday.

Mourinho had suggested he could leave Rooney out of the firing line for the meeting with the Premier League champions, claiming he had been affected by the reaction to his performances for England at Euro 2016.

And the 30-year-old has indeed been dropped to the bench for the first time this season, with Jesse Lingard earning a recall and Juan Mata starting in the number 10 role for his 150th Premier League start.

Former United goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler starts in goal for Leicester, with Kasper Schmeichel having failed to recover full fitness.

Manchester United team: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Blind; Pogba, Herrera; Rashford, Mata, Lingard; Ibrahimovic.

Leicester City team: Zieler; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton; Slimani, Vardy.

MOURINHO CANNOT ADOPT SIEGE MENTALITY AT UNITED - ATKINSON

Jose Mourinho must not adopt a siege mentality at Manchester United if he is to be successful at Old Trafford, according to Ron Atkinson.

After winning his first four competitive games as United manager, Mourinho has seen his team lose three matches in eight days - including a 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester City.

The Portuguese was critical of referee Michael Oliver following United's 3-1 loss at Watford.

But Atkinson - who led United two FA Cup successes in 1983 and 1985 - does not believe an us-against-the-world approach will work for Mourinho.

"I have never been a huge fan of this siege mentality he brings to his clubs," Atkinson said.

"There's nothing wrong with being fiercely protective of your players, but that doesn't mean you have to antagonise everybody else.

"I don't think that approach would work at Manchester United because it can lead to the club becoming claustrophobic.

"It is a global brand and you cannot run it as your personal fiefdom. United is an ­expansive club, it's a club of the people. Telling everyone that 'It's us against the world' doesn’t really wash, because United have lots of friends – they probably have more fans on the planet than anyone else.

"Jose has an engaging personality and it would be a shame if he got sidetracked by siege mentality and taking on the world."

Atkinson added: "I was surprised by the way United played in the derby.

"All credit to City, who look phenomenal, but I thought Jose would have set up his team to play higher up the pitch.

"It would have been an eye-opener for him to see the way City went about it, with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne finding pockets of space.

"United were never outnumbered in midfield, but they were ­outmanoeuvred. You can't imagine that scenario if Roy Keane and Paul Scholes had been playing.

"For the first 10 minutes, they would have announced themselves, and tried to break up the little ­triangles City were forming, and I didn't see that in Jose's team in the derby."

MATA: NO TIME FOR MOURNING - MANCHESTER UNITED MUST REACT

Juan Mata says Manchester United's players do not have time to mourn their surprise defeat to Watford and has called for a reaction against Northampton Town and Leicester City.

United conceded twice late on to lose 3-1 at Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Sunday, marking the first time since 2001-02 that Jose Mourinho has lost three successive matches in a single season.

Spain international Mata, writing in a blog on the United website, has sought to put a positive spin on the team's difficult situation.

"As I always say, one of the best things of football is that the game is testing you all the time," he said.

"A win doesn't last too long, and it happens the same way with a defeat - you have the chance to make it up soon afterwards. Two more games this week will give us the opportunity to show on the pitch our pride and skills. There's no time for mourning. We must react."

As they seek to respond to recent disappointments, United are away to third-tier opposition on Wednesday followed by a challenging assignment at home to title-holders Leicester on Saturday.

"First of all, we visit Northampton Town in the EFL Cup, in our first game of the season in this competition," Mata said.

"We are the favourites in this game and we have to deliver, with all due respect to the opponent because, despite being in League One, Northampton Town has already knocked out a Premier League side like West Brom.

"I'm sure the stadium will be packed and they will try to make things difficult for us.

"And next weekend we are back to the Premier League, this time at Old Trafford against Leicester. Playing a nice game against the current champions would be the best signal that we could send to our supporters. In order to do so, we have to improve and work hard in every sense.

"I believe this team is capable of doing great things this season."

PEREYRA: 'EXTRAORDINARY' POGBA HAS 'EVERYTHING'

Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra lauded the "extraordinary" talents of his former Juventus team-mate Paul Pogba and claimed he has "everything".

Pereyra is set to go head-to-head with the Frenchman on Sunday when Manchester United visit Vicarage Road in the Premier League and he knows exactly what he will be up against.

The pair played alongside each other for two years in Turin before their respective moves to England during the close-season and now Pereyra is hoping to come out on top as the two prepare to duel.

"He's an extraordinary player," Pereyra told The Guardian. 

"He's got everything, all the skills you can think of. He's one of the few players who really surprised me the first time I saw him play. 

"But we're ready to play against anyone. We all know it's going to be difficult but this is football. Anything can happen."

IBRAHIMOVIC BACKS POGBA TO PROVE 'JEALOUS' CRITICS WRONG

Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Paul Pogba's "jealous" critics will be silenced by the midfielder.

World-record signing Pogba has made a slow start to life back at Old Trafford, where United suffered a 2-1 derby loss to Manchester City on Saturday.

But Ibrahimovic has no doubt as to the 23-year-old's talents, insisting the France international will prove people wrong.

"Paul came from a generation that is becoming important in France," the Swedish striker told SFR Sport.

"The national team did not win the Euros, unfortunately, but the generation is strong and they will become stronger and Paul is one of them, and with what he has done, he will become even better.

"I did not know Paul before and now I know him personally, he is a boy who works hard, he wants to progress and has a good attitude.

"But he is still young and all the jealous people talking about him will swallow every word they said about him because he will only get better."

Pogba is yet to score or have an assist in three Premier League games, but United sit fourth with three wins.

Ibrahimovic, who has already netted four times in the league, said the pressure on Pogba was enormous.

He said: "You have to be realistic, people are putting a lot of pressure on Paul. His transfer created a huge amount of buzz."

United return to action with a Europa League trip to Feyenoord on Thursday before travelling to Watford three days later.

MOURINHO BATTLED TO CONVINCE POGBA ON UNITED MOVE

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho bombarded Paul Pogba with calls and text messages as he battled to secure a return to Old Trafford for the France midfielder.

Pogba rejoined United in a world-record move from Juventus last month despite reported interest from Real Madrid.

Mourinho told Goal there was "another big club" in the running for Pogba, which meant the Portuguese felt the need to wage a relentless phone campaign.

"Oh, it was hard to convince him," he said. "I had many [conversations] on the phone, lots of SMS.

"I think he was getting one in the morning from the manager from another big club and one in the afternoon from myself.

"I had to try hard to convince him to choose us instead of the other one."

The Champions League gets underway in United's absence this week, while their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season was brought crashing to earth by a 2-1 defeat against local rivals Manchester City on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Mourinho's early days with the 20-time English champions have left him feeling optimistic about the future.

"I have a very positive feeling," he said. "Rome was not built in one day and a football team is probably more difficult to build than Rome was!

"The feeling is that they want to work for me, they have the same level of ambition and commitment that I have and step by step, by a tactical and mental point of view, I have great feelings with the answers they are giving. So yes, I am very positive."

MOURINHO BLAMES UNITED PLAYERS AND HIS SELECTION FOR DERBY LOSS

Jose Mourinho criticised his Manchester United players for being "really below the normal level" as they slipped to a 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford.

Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho scored during the first half as City threated to run riot, but an error from debutant Claudio Bravo in the visitors' goal allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to reduce the deficit.

United pressed for an equaliser that never arrived during the second half, with Bravo's erratic showing giving them continued cause for encouragement, but Mourinho was left to reflect on three Premier League points lost before the interval.

"I think in the first half, they were much better than us," he told Sky Sports.

"We started the game badly. We started the game with some players really below the normal level, in terms of their concentration and their mental ability to play a game of this speed.

"You need to be sharp, the way you think and the way you play, we had a few players below the level. The team paid for it.

"In the first half, they were in control. The second half was completely different. We were in control, much more dangerous and had our chances to equalise."

Mourinho handed a full debut to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and recalled Jesse Lingard to his starting line-up, but both made way at the break and the former Chelsea boss stated he made selection errors.

"I had two or three players in the first half where, if I know what is going to happen, obviously I don't play them," he said.

"But this is football, and sometimes players disappoint managers, and sometimes players give us great surprises.

"I thought, because of the characteristics of the game, I thought we could hurt them playing with some individuals with some qualities. 

"They didn't give me what I wanted, therefore it's my fault. I'm the manager and it's always my fault, because it's my choice."

Somewhat customarily, Mourinho chose to question the role of the referee in one of his team's defeats, claiming Bravo should have been sent off for a lunging tackle on Wayne Rooney, whose later cross struck Nicolas Otamendi on the arm when the City defender had his back turned.

"Obviously, we are very disappointed with the result, but I am also very disappointed with two decisions of Mark [Clattenburg]," he added.

"It's a penalty and a red card for Bravo. If you tell me that that's not a penalty and a red card, I tell you that, for sure, outside the box it's a free-kick and a red card. Inside the box has to be the same.

"Even the best referees can make mistakes and he made a big one. The second one I also think is a penalty.

"Otamendi, it's a penalty. You can tell me he has no intention, I think he has intention. In spite of his arm being behind his body, he knows that the cross is not going in his face, it's going in his back, so he drops his elbow. It's two penalties against us."

RASHFORD HAS 'BRILLIANT' FUTURE - MOURINHO

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes Marcus Rashford has an "absolutely brilliant" future, promising the teenager a start against Feyenoord.

Rashford came on at half-time of the Manchester derby as United fell to a 2-1 defeat to City on Saturday.

The 18-year-old is yet to start under Mourinho, but the Portuguese tactician is ready for that to change in the Europa League.

"For me the next big game is against Feyenoord and the next game he is going to play. That is the only thing I can say," Mourinho told UK newspapers.

"I trust him completely. I know his future will be absolutely brilliant. He is mainly a number nine – if you want to play him in different positions, we need to work him, we need to improve him, but his big personality is there.

"Normally, people look to the football talent but personality at his level is very important and he was showing that last season – he was showing that immediately."

Rashford scored eight goals in 18 appearances in all competitions in a stunning previous campaign for United.

Mourinho lauded the teenager for his derby display, having come on with Ander Herrera at the break, replacing Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard.

"Against City, I felt they had the fragility on the sides and the kid [Rashford] could give us in the second half on the sides what we didn't get with Miki and Jesse in the first half," he said.

"The kid gave us what we had needed and normally we would be here now speaking about a different result."

IBRAHIMOVIC: GIVE RASHFORD TIME AND HE'LL TAKE OVER EVERYTHING

Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford will "take over everything", team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic has predicted.

Rashford made a lively impact as a substitute in his side's 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and was only denied an equaliser in the second half when his low shot deflected in off Ibrahimovic, who was offside.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a stunning 2016 since scoring twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland, netting five goals in just four Premier League starts last season - including the winner in the Manchester derby in March - before a debut strike for England earned him a place at Euro 2016.

Rashford has struggled for a starting spot under Jose Mourinho since the arrival of Ibrahimovic, but he scored a stoppage-time winner against Hull City last month before linking up with the England Under-21 side, for whom he hit a hat-trick in their 6-1 thrashing of Norway.

And Ibrahimovic has backed his young team-mate to become a leading light on the global stage, provided he is allowed the time to develop.

"First of all, he's 18, he's still young. He has a lot of time," the former Sweden captain told MUTV.

"I think the way you have to approach a player like that, where everyone is talking about the talent and what he's able to do and what kind of potential he has, is to remember he still has a lot of time.

"It's not like he needs to take over the world today, the club knows that, the coach knows that and the team knows that.

"We know his quality and what he's able to do. What the world is seeing now, we already know because we see it every day. There is no need to rush to push him and put him in the heat zone and put a lot of pressure on him because that can have the opposite effect.

"Time by time, he will take over everything. It's about having patience."

Mourinho has highlighted Ibrahimovic as a key role model for the young players at Old Trafford, but the 34-year-old believes they would flourish without him.

"I'll help him every day, him and all the others, in any way I can. I'm happy it gives an effect but, even if I was not here, they would still do good," he added.

DON'T BLAME MKHITARYAN AND LINGARD FOR DERBY LOSS - MOURINHO

Jose Mourinho refused to make Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard derby day scapegoats after Manchester United slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester City at Old Trafford.

Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho got the goals as City dominated the first half, although an error from debutant goalkeeper Claudio Bravo allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to haul the hosts back into the contest.

Mkhitaryan, making his first start for United, and the recalled Lingard were hauled off at the break and United performed better with Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford on in their place.

"It was not just about them. Other players were also not playing really well," Mourinho told a post-match news conference after United lost their 100 per cent record to fall three points behind early season Premier League leaders City.

"Obviously, it was my decision. I don't like to go in the direction of the players and single out players.

"Let's say our team didn't play well in the first half and the responsibility is my responsibility."

Pre-match, Mourinho said he included Mkhitaryan and Lingard in anticipation of City boss Pep Guardiola trying to bring his full-backs into midfield as he has done during the opening weeks of the season, but the tactic did not emerge during a pulsating contest.

"They respected our capacity to attack through the wings," Mourinho said. "They thought about [Antonio] Valencia, they thought about Luke Shaw, they thought about our wingers. They didn't do that.

"They brought [John] Stones into that space a few times. So we didn't have a tactical problem; we had a problem with poor performances – giving the ball away very, very easy.

"Our central defenders, who were top class until today, they lost easy balls. Bad, bad passes from [Eric] Bailly to [Marouane] Fellaini, from [Daley] Blind to [Paul] Pogba. We lost the ball in these kind of positions.

"So it was not just Mkhi and Jesse. It was much more than Mkhi and Jesse."

HERRERA LOOKING FOR POSITIVES FOLLOWING DERBY DEFEAT

Ander Herrera insists Manchester United must take the positives from their derby-day defeat to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

The former Athletic Bilbao midfielder came on as a half-time substitute for Jose Mourinho's side on Saturday, but could not help them salvage a point, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal on the stroke of half-time proving a mere consolation after earlier strikes from Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho.

But Herrera has affirmed that, despite a disappointing result, United – who had claimed three wins from their opening three Premier League fixtures – will bounce back.

"It is disappointing for us. We are now not happy. We have lost a derby in front of our fans and it is painful," Herrera told BBC Sport.

"We have to be balanced in our analysis. This is the first game we have not played the best. We have crossed a lot of balls and put them under pressure.

"We have to take some good things. The attitude and spirit in the second half was fantastic. City will lose points as well. We are three points off top and we want to be champions.

"We didn't start good. Every duel went for them. We have to study why that happened. But we have played well so far. This was not our best game but we created four or five chances to draw the game."

MOURINHO CRITICISES UNITED TRAVEL PLANS

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has questioned why his South American contingent had a more difficult journey back to Europe than their Manchester City counterparts.

Antonio Valencia, Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo have all been away on international duty, recently returning to Manchester ahead of Saturday's derby clash with Pep Guardiola's men.

Mourinho claimed the likes of Nicolas Otamendi and Pablo Zabaleta came straight back to Manchester after performing for Argentina, and hinted it gave them an advantage.

He told reporters at his news conference: "Antonio Valencia was able to get one direct flight to Madrid. Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo went around the globe, Venezuela, Argentina, Europe.

"Manchester City spent money to bring them on a direct flight - or sent the owner's plane. Our boys arrived this morning in time to train."

One man not away on international duty was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, having retired from Sweden duty following Euro 2016.

Ibrahimovic, who famously did not see eye to eye with Guardiola at Barcelona, has rapidly become the United talisman and Mourinho was full of praise for the 34-year-old.

"Zlatan is a phenomenal player who arrives at 34 and still wants more for his career," said the Portuguese.

"He didn't want the Chinese money or the American US dollars; he wanted the most difficult place to play and win.

"Zlatan is more about him than us. Our contribution to him, in motivational terms, is zero. This is just his nature."

Ibrahimovic will be denied an intriguing head-to-head battle with City's Sergio Aguero on Saturday as the Argentine is suspended.

Mourinho denied his absence made United's task any easier, though.

"He [Guardiola] could decide to play with [Kelechi] Iheanacho or [Raheem] Sterling," he said.

"He could decide to play with [David] Silva as a fake number nine between the lines. It is clear that they have many options.

"That for us, in the preparation of the game, makes us have to go step-by-step with every situation because we are trying to reduce the unpredictability of the game. To try to do this now is more difficult."

FELLAINI PLEDGES TO REPAY MOURINHO'S FAITH

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has pledged to repay the faith Jose Mourinho has shown in him at the start of the new Premier League campaign.

Fellaini was not expected to play a key role under the incoming United manager, but has started all three Premier League matches to date, even after the signing of Paul Pogba from Juventus for a world-record transfer fee.

The Belgium international said that while he featured heavily under Mourinho's predecessor Louis van Gaal, he appreciates the Portuguese boss playing him in a defensive midfield role.

"Louis van Gaal trusted me, I played a lot of games," Fellaini told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday's blockbuster derby against Manchester City. 

"This season, though, I'm playing in my position and I feel the trust of the manager.

"He has given me confidence and I will give everything. [Mourinho's faith] has had a big impact on me because when someone trusts you 200 per cent you have to repay that. The manager knows my qualities, he knows what I can do.

"He spoke to me on the first day when I arrived back from holiday and I have worked hard like I do every time.

"I don't need to explain myself, all the managers I've had know my quality. I'm here today and I'm trying hard like I always do to give my best on the pitch."

Fellaini is looking forward to the special atmosphere of a derby at Old Trafford, although he is expecting Pep Guardiola's City to put up a strong challenge.

"Everyone wants to play these games," Fellaini said. "It's a big game, a derby and everyone in the world will watch this game so it is an important game for both teams.

"When you play against Liverpool and City the tension is there but I think it is very big this season because there are new managers and players.

"A lot of players have come to this country this season, as too have a lot of great managers so this season it's special.

"There will be a lot of challenges, the crowd will be behind us so it will be a good game."

IBRAHIMOVIC HAILS 'MASTERMIND' MOURINHO

Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic lauded "mastermind" Jose Mourinho and said the manager made his decision to move to Old Trafford an easy one.

Ibrahimovic, 34, reunited with Mourinho in July, signing a one-year deal with United after his time at Paris Saint-Germain came to an end.

The pair won the Serie A title together at Inter in 2008-09 before Ibrahimovic left Italy for Barcelona.

Ibrahimovic was full of praise for Mourinho, who has led United to three Premier League wins from as many games ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby.

"Mourinho is a mastermind. He knows everything about the game," the striker said.

"I do not have many regrets, but I do regret that I did not get to play under Mourinho for longer. When the opportunity came again for him to be my coach at United it was an easy decision.

"Who wouldn't want to be coached by him? I am at a great club with a great coach and great fans and I want to be as successful as possible for them."

Ibrahimovic is looking to add the Premier League title to the Eredivisie, Serie A, LaLiga and Ligue 1 crowns he has won previously.

The former Sweden international said success was one of the reasons he enjoyed working with Mourinho.

"He [Mourinho] is a winner. I see myself as a winner also. I like to win also. I'll do everything to win," Ibrahimovic said.

"He's direct with everyone. He's not a coach that goes behind your back. He will tell you if you're not good enough, you're not good enough."

BUTT ENLISTS CIRCUS PERFORMERS TO HELP OUT UNITED KIDS

Nicky Butt, the head of Manchester United's academy, has introduced some unusual methods to help the club's youngsters avoid injury.

Former United midfielder Butt has invited circus performers and free runners to speak to the players after comparing their backgrounds unfavourably to his.

He told The Times: "I see players in our academy and they can't move. Our lads don't know how to fall, roll and you should see the amount of injuries we get from popped shoulders or their arms.

"I probably fell out of a tree 15 times and never hurt myself. I don't think my son has ever climbed a tree. Body mechanics lose so much when you're not climbing trees, not playing basketball, cricket and rugby.

"This might sound bizarre but we've had a guy come in from the circus, telling the kids how to do spinning plates, jumping through hoops, circus tricks to get their biomechanics working.

"We had a free runner, the 'parkour' lads who jump over buildings, set up a course."

Butt also backed striker Marcus Rashford to maintain his astonishing development after his hat-trick for England Under-21s in midweek.

Rashford came off the bench to score an injury-time winner in United's 1-0 success at Hull City before the international break and Butt believes Jose Mourinho will continue to give him first-team opportunities.

He added: "You couldn't pick a better player to be at this club or any big club. Marcus will get first team opportunities because he's that good. If he keeps keeps doing what he's doing with his pace and directness, you can't hold him back .

"If you get a player like Marcus, and he does what he did last year this year, he's a £50million player straight away. It's an investment."

DE GEA PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY BAILLY'S UNITED IMPACT

Eric Bailly's impressive start to life at Manchester United has come as a surprise to the whole squad, says goalkeeper David De Gea.

United paid Villarreal a reported £30million to make Bailly the first signing for manager Jose Mourinho.

Bailly arrived with limited experience having made just 40 combined LaLiga appearances for Espanyol and Villarreal, and the Ivory Coast defender was seen as something as a prospect for the future.

However, the 22-year-old has been a huge success thus far, claiming the Man of the Match award three times in four competitive games during August as United enjoyed a 100 per cent winning start to the Premier League.

And De Gea, who himself endured a turbulent start to life in England before establishing himself among the best 'keepers in the word, hailed his team-mate's impact.

"Oof, [Bailly has been] a great signing," De Gea told the Daily Mail.

"Eric's come in and surprised us all very quickly. I remember when I first came to England and, trust me, it can be hard early on but he's flying.

"He is physical, strong, technically confident and super-fast. He only speaks a little English but we have lots of Spaniards in the dressing room and Paul Pogba speaks French of course.

"He's a big presence and when I stand in the tunnel and look behind me, he is one of the new big, powerful players along with Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic that gives us real presence and stature this season."

United will attempt to make it four wins from four in the Premier League against rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

SHARPE: UNITED HAVE UNEARTHED A GEM IN BAILLY

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba may have grabbed all the headlines at Manchester United, but Lee Sharpe believes Eric Bailly's arrival is the most significant.

The 22-year-old central defender arrived at Old Trafford for a reported €30million fee from Villarreal and was quickly installed at the heart of United's backline by Jose Mourinho in a partnership with Daley Blind, impressing in his four outings so far.

Sharpe has been particularly impressed by the youngster and has predicted big things for the Ivory Coast international.

"The team looks really strong in every department now, I think the manager's strengthened in good areas with top-quality players and the rest of the team are raising their standards to join them," said the former United winger.

"Ibrahimovic is obviously going to be a massive star, and so is Pogba, but I think the one that's stood out for me at the moment is Bailly the centre-half.

"He looks quick, decent on the ball, he reads the game really well. 

"If he continues to play like he has done in the first few games I think they've found an absolute gem."

'IT'S HARD TO SAY NO TO MOURINHO' - VARANE OPENS UP ON UNITED SNUB

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane confirmed he received an offer from Manchester United in the transfer window and found it difficult to turn down Jose Mourinho.

After one season in the first team at Lens, Varane was taken to the Santiago Bernabeu by Mourinho in 2011.

The Portuguese attempted to bring about a reunion between the pair following his appointment as manager at Old Trafford.

However, the France international was unwilling to leave Madrid, where he feels his career is progressing along the right path.

"It was flattering to hear of United's interest. Mourinho is the one who made me come to Real Madrid and they are a great club," Varane told Canal Plus.

"But at the moment the club [Madrid] and I are in sync and I had no questions to ask.

"I always said that I felt good in Madrid. It is not easy to say no to Jose Mourinho, but you have to weigh the pros and cons.

"We are men, we have to make decisions and that's how it is."

SCHWEINSTEIGER LEFT OUT OF MANCHESTER UNITED'S EUROPA LEAGUE SQUAD

Bastian Schweinsteiger has not been included in Manchester United's Europa League squad despite Jose Mourinho previously indicating he will play a much-changed side in the competition.

Mourinho has made it clear that Schweinsteiger does not feature in his first-team plans at Old Trafford, but the former Bayern Munich midfielder was named in United's Premier League squad.

However, it remains highly unlikely Schweinsteiger will feature in the league in the foreseeable future and the former Germany captain will now also play no part in United's group stage campaign in Europe's secondary competition.

Schweinsteiger recently stressed that he has no personal problems with Mourinho and vowed to fight for his future at the club.

Teenagers Marcus Rashford, Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah have all been included by Mourinho, along with 23-year-old goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

United have been drawn alongside Feyenoord, Fenerbahce and Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League and get their campaign under way at Feyenood's De Kuip stadium on September 15.

KANTE: I SPOKE TO MOURINHO ABOUT UNITED MOVE

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante revealed Jose Mourinho tried his utmost to lure him to Manchester United, but he could not turn down Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.

Kante, 25, swapped Premier League champions Leicester City for Chelsea in the off-season.

United were also reportedly interested in the hard-working France international but Mourinho's efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful.

"It was amazing to have Mourinho call me, even though I'd been warned before how he would appeal to me," Kante said.

"I listened to his arguments about why I should move to United.

"But at that time I was hesitant between staying at Leicester or leaving for Chelsea.

"My discussions with them were already well underway. But when I spoke, I had a good feeling with Conte."

Kante has settled well in London, playing every minute of Chelsea's three Premier League wins to start the season.

SOLER: BARCELONA PASSED ON POGBA LAST YEAR

Barcelona sporting director Albert Soler has claimed the club had an agreement in place to sign Paul Pogba after the 2014-15 season.

Pogba became the world's most expensive footballer when he rejoined Manchester United from Juventus for a fee of £89million.

Speaking at a news conference to mark the end of the transfer window, Soler said Barcelona were in position to sign the France international a year ago but did not feel compelled to complete the deal, before balking at the price this time around.

"Last year we reached an agreement with Juventus: if they wanted to sell Pogba we would have a priority," he said. 

"That was the commitment that we had. Juve did not want to sell the player and we didn't have the need to sign him.

"Barcelona has always had a great relationship with Juventus. If we would have wanted to do the deal, nobody could advance us. 

"We signed six players with €120million. If one club can pay €120m for one player [it] will be very difficult to sign great players."

Among the players acquired during a productive transfer window for the LaLiga champions was Paco Alcacer, ending a lengthy search for forward cover.

The presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez appeared prohibitive for a number of reported Barca targets but technical secretary Robert Fernandez is delighted to have Alcacer on board and believes the 23-year-old Spain international is relishing the challenge.

"I think that we have done a very good job with this transaction," he said. "We've got a very good player who we think is going to help us a lot

"He has the best in front of him, that's for certain. He has to learn from the best – Luis Suarez – and I've told him that.

"I've told all the players who have arrived what is required and how it will be difficult to play. It's a beautiful challenge.

"They are in good shape, they are very young, they are excited and I'm convinced they are going to help us."