Manchester United transfer news and rumours LIVE: Bournemouth reaction, Varane, Fonte latest

Danny Murphy last night

The former Liverpool midfielder described Rooney’s performance as ‘superb’, which was an interesting take on the United captain’s contribution at Bournemouth.

The same Murphy had, the previous week, attempted to portray Eric Bailly as a haphazard defender as he was named man of the match. Here’s a reaction to Murphy’s assessment.

If you are wondering why the MEN has a ‘Rooney agenda’ (we don’t) it is because we might be just about the only outlet that is critical of a player who has been in decline since 2012.

Just look at the pundits on the telly now. Murphy and Steve McManaman are Scousers - Rooney is a Scouser. Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes were teammates. So was Gary Neville - who also coached him.

Pat and Park reunited

‘The Patmobile’. What a moniker.

Dalian Atkinson remembered

The former Villa striker’s death is understandably generating headlines and, from a United, viewpoint, Atkinson was a nuisance in the early 90s, back when Villa competed for the title.

He scored against Alex Ferguson’s side in that captivating 1993 humdinger at Villa Park, having netted the winner in the same fixture a year earlier. Atkinson also struck in Villa’s 1994 League Cup final win over United.

What is Sam Johnstone doing?

The 23-year-old United goalkeeper has still not played for the first-team and wasn’t in the matchday squads against Leicester and Bournemouth, yet he was still involved during the warm-ups.

Johnstone should be embarrassed that, at such a young age, he is effectively a goalkeeping coach at the club. He is in the last year of his contract but needs to leave before August 31.

Reserves tonight

Will Schweinsteiger, Pereira, Keane et al. appear?

Benzema United bound?

Odd one this - one betting firm has United 7/4 favourites to sign Karim Benzema.

No real links with Benzema for a while now, and the addition of Zlatan would seem to close that door entirely.

Arsenal are at 3/1 and City 6/1.

Oh Garth

Garth Crooks on Zlatan makes for some entertaining reading.

“For years, I wondered what the fuss was all about with Ibrahimovic,” Crooks told BBC Sport.

“Then I saw him smash four goals past England in an international friendly in 2012.

“The Swedish superstar has left his mark everywhere he’s been. However, to arrive at Old Trafford expecting to lead the line at the age of 34 is a stretch even for him.

“Nevertheless, the way he took to the task in the Community Shield, and again against Bournemouth in the opening game of the season, has been immense.

“There have been no histrionics on or off the field. He has just quietly got on with the job – and United fans have another cult hero to worship.”

Garth, Garth, Garth.

Reaction to last season's opener

Louis van Gaal started last season with a win too (the own goal victory against Tottenham).

But the manager’s reaction is somewhat different.

LVG said: “The most important thing is that we have won because there was a lot of pressure on this match because of last year, when our start was very bad. I said in the preparation, “This is the match”. Maybe I laid too much pressure on this match.

“You had two high-level teams pressing high and neither team could cope with that pressure. That, we have to improve. We were lucky today.”

More to come from us says Rooney

Three goals, three points but some kinks to iron out for Jose Mourinho and United.

But the rest of the Premier League are unlikely to be happy at hearing Rooney’s comments after the Bournemouth game, revealing that he knows United still have more gears to go through.

“I hope so,” he said.

“Some players are still getting up to full fitness in the first game of the season. You’re never quite where you want to be, I’m sure that will come after a few games. We know we can play better than we did today [Sunday], although we did quite well, and I’m sure we will over the coming weeks.”

Things are already feeling more positive.

Four United players in Garth's team of the week

Three United defenders in Garth Crooks’ XI, even without a clean sheet!

As usual, the formation is...intriguing.

Francis: Bournemouth 'dominated' until the goal

Cherries defender Simon Francis has given is take on yesterday...

“We had some good play, especially in the first half.

“We dominated up until the goal and in the second half we created some good chances. On another day they might go our way.

“Towards the end, we had a couple of good corners in succession too. It’s something to learn from. Obviously we take the positives, as we do with every game.”

Dominated? Really? I was obviously watching a different game.

Midfield conundrum for Jose

Good piece here from my colleague Samuel Luckhurst on Fellaini and Herrera.

An interesting midfield combination but one that worked. But Pogba is to come...

Fellaini’s performance is a timely topic as United supporters ponder what Mourinho’s midfield will look like. There are five - maybe six - options and his selection at the Vitality was as unpredictable as one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s tombola choices. Herrera and Fellaini had never started as a midfield partnership before and Mourinho contradicted his preference for ‘specialists’ by not supplementing them with a holding midfielder.

Herrera and Fellaini thrived in Louis van Gaal’s midfield triangle two seasons ago with Michael Carrick at the base, yet the 35-year-old was demoted following his ponderous performance against Leicester’s live wires. Just as much of a surprise as Fellaini’s prudent passing was Herrera’s conversion to a deep-lying midfielder. He played there with disdain under Van Gaal yet it appeared he was free of the shackles on his 27th birthday on Sunday.

You can read more about about Jose’s selection dilemmas HERE.

Vote: Who was the main man at Bournemouth?

There were plenty of good performances to choose from.

Jose: Fans should 'love' Fellaini

Marouane Fellaini hasn’t always had an easy ride at United. But Mourinho thinks that might be about to change after his impressive display at Bournemouth.

With Fellaini, I always have the feeling that he was not loved by the general red people.

But, if he plays like he’s playing now, they have to love him because he’s being so important for us.

Watch: Mourinho on Bailly

Jose was thrilled with his new signing at Bournemouth

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Crystal Palace in for Young

Ashley Young was not involved against Leicester at Wembley or against Bournemouth on Sunday. And the Express are reporting he’s on the list to replace Everton-bound Yannick Bolasie at Crystal Palace.

Pirlo: Juventus are still laughing at United

Paul Pogba not a Juventus player anymore but Andrea Pirlo reckons his former club will still be delighted.

On the first day training session Pogba had with Juventus the players were laughing, We were not laughing for any other reason than we were just in total disbelief that this player with so much obvious ability was able to leave a club the size of Manchester United for free, and I think Juventus are still laughing. They signed a player of his quality for no money, he was a big part of them winning trophies in four seasons, and they then sell him for £90m. Whatever way you look at it, Juventus have got a great deal.

Under-23s tonight

The reserves are in action tonight. There’s a chance the likes of Jones, Darmian, Young, Schweinsteiger and Pereira could play. Maybe even the most expensive footballer in the world!