Man
Utd's Mourinho wants fear factor at Old Trafford
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[August 19, 2016]
By Ed Dove
(Reuters) - Jose Mourinho has urged
Manchester United's players and supporters to reconnect and bring
the fear factor back to Old Trafford as he prepares for his first
home game in charge against Southampton on Friday.
United have lost 12 home league games in the last three seasons
compared with 12 in the final eight years of former manager Alex
Ferguson's reign, with teams taking points at Old Trafford with
increasing regularity.
Mourinho, who has lost nine home league games over his managerial
career, once going more than nine years without a home league
defeat, insists that his team can make Old Trafford a fortress
again.
"Not me, but the team, yes," Mourinho told journalists on Thursday.
"The fans also help. Everything starts there: the relationship
between team and fans.
"If there's a connection then the factor of being really strong at
home has to come back," he added. "The way we play (helps) and if
the fans play (their part) there'll be no chance for the opponent."
Mourinho's reign started with a win on Sunday as a team featuring
new additions Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly
beat Bournemouth 2-1 away.
He can also call on the world's most expensive signing Paul Pogba
against Southampton after confirming that the 89 million pound
($117.12 million) midfielder is available.
Premier League football will be played regularly on a Friday night
this season.
In contrast to United's extravagant spending, Arsenal's relatively
parsimonious transfer window has again prompted discontent from
supporters, with Arsene Wenger forced to defend his approach ahead
of Saturday's trip to Leicester City.
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![](../images/081916PICS/sports77.jpg)
Manchester United
manager Jose Mourinho and Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe Action
Images via Reuters / Andrew Couldridge Livepic
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Mar/14/images/ads/current/tires250x300.gif)
"You can pay huge amounts of money for average players," Wenger told
journalists on Thursday, "but to find the ones who will strengthen
your squad is more difficult."
Last season's top two are under pressure after losing their opening
matches, but Leicester, who became the first reigning champions
since Arsenal in 1989 to lose their opener, are buoyed by Riyad
Mahrez's decision to sign a contract extension this week.
"Riyad was always concentrated but of course all the speculation
could affect him," said coach Claudio Ranieri, "but we never spoke
about this.
"It's normal other managers look at Leicester players. We want to
continue, we are building, we want to stay together."
Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are at Stoke City,
Chelsea visit Watford and West Ham United host Bournemouth in their
first competitive game at their new London Stadium home.
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