Over to Roo: Mourinho wants Wayne Rooney to start scoring in the Premier League
Jose Mourinho has called for more goals from Wayne Rooney and the rest of his attackers if Manchester United's Premier League campaign is to be revived.
United boss Mourinho's men began the weekend sitting an eye-watering 13 points off the lead and nine behind the top four after 14 rounds of the season.
A lack of cutting edge has been obvious, with United managing just seven goals in their last eight league matches - as many as Alexis Sanchez has scored for Arsenal on his own during that period.
Mourinho has been pleased with his side's displays but is well aware of the missing ingredient, highlighted by Rooney managing a solitary Premier League goal this term.
"In my team, he is an attacking player - he will play as a nine or a 10, or eventually coming from one of the sides," Mourinho said of Rooney.
"We expect more goals from him, yes, but we expect more goals from everyone in the team.
"Maybe Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) is the one but as the main striker it is normal that he has more goals scored.
"But all the other attacking players, we expect more goals from them."
Defender Eric Bailly's return to action after six weeks out with a knee injury is a timely boost ahead of the festive period, but Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling remain absent for Sunday's home match against Tottenham.
Tottenham will be without Erik Lamela on Sunday as the midfielder is still in Argentina attending to his brother, who is in hospital. Vincent Janssen is also unavailable with an ankle injury.
Toby Alderweireld, however, is in line to make his first start in eight weeks following a knee problem.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has reiterated his admiration for Mourinho ahead of the Old Trafford game.
"For me, he is the Special One and will always be the Special One," Pochettino said. "For me, he was a reference when I started my career at Espanyol. He was always very kind to me and opened his door.
"I always assess my colleagues and try to be objective - I really believe he is one of the best."
Source: PAR
