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Home , Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling

Sports FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

Al Qadsiya, Al Kuwait compete in 9th Football Super Cup By Nawara Fattahova with other sports officials. Kuwait SC coach Lauren Bennett KUWAIT: Football fans are all invited said that they are happy to have Firas to the 9th annual Football Super Cup Al-Khateeb playing with them. “We match between the two top sports hope that the Qadsiya’s coach gets clubs; Al Qadsiya and Al Kuwait, which well soon. Our team has been training will take place today (Friday) at 8:00pm hard for over two months for this at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International match. We hope to win this match, and Stadium located on 6th Ring Road. we are glad that our team is complet- The entrance is free of charge and ing in this celebrated competition. I free food and beverages will be avail- believe that both teams have an equal able for the public. A draw for valuable chance to win this match,” he noted prizes including 5 cars and 15 tickets during the press conference. will be held before the start of the As the Qadsiya SC coach is sick, Gerry match along with other entertaining Minko, the goalkeepers’ coach replaced activities for kids such as inflatable him during this conference. He stressed football games which begins at ets can be collected for free at the sta- Amir Cup winners of the previous sea- that both teams know each other’s abili- 4:00pm. dium on the day of the event starting son. Qadsiya Club are four-time cham- ties and preparations. “We hope to Furthermore, for the first time in from 2pm onwards. pions of the Super Cup, while Kuwait overcome any obstacles including the global sports history, audiences can The annual one-match association Club won this title only twice before. absence of professional players, the expect a spectacular para-motor air football competition organized by the This information was announced injuries, and the financial crisis. I’m glad show and a remote-controlled air Kuwait Football Association (KFA) has during the press conference held yes- that we don’t have any problem with planes show within the stadium, along long served as the season opener and terday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. It goalkeepers, and the three of them are with a number of other surprises that is played between the Kuwaiti Premier was attended by the Qadsiya and ready. And of course I hope we win the promise a memorable day. Entry tick- League Champions and the Kuwait Kuwait SC captain and coach along match,” he pointed out.

Mourinho’s dilemma: What to do with Man Utd, Man City set

MANCHESTER: Jose Mourinho is facing the biggest ques- tion of his short reign as Manchester United manager: up League Cup clash What to do with Wayne Rooney? While most of United’s top players were benched or rested entirely for the English League game against third-tier Northampton on LONDON: Manchester United manager Wednesday, Rooney played the full 90 minutes - less than Jose Mourinho and his Manchester City three days before a big match against rival Pep Guardiola were dealt an champion Leicester. English Football League Cup ren- There could be two explanations for this selection: dezvous after both teams came through Mourinho either wanted his captain out on the field to lead their third-round ties on Wednesday. the team in a potentially tricky away cup tie; or there’s a United won 3-1 at third-tier chance Rooney could be left out at the weekend. In a terse Northampton Town to ease some of the television interview before the Northampton game, pressure building on Mourinho follow- Mourinho was twice asked what he wanted from Rooney. ing three consecutive defeats, while “Goals,” came the reply from the stern-faced Portuguese holders City prevailed 2-1 at Swansea coach, both times. United won 3-1 but Rooney, who start- City. Tottenham Hotspur were rewarded ed the match as a central striker before dropping deeper in with a trip to Liverpool after crushing the second half, did not score. The Rooney dilemma - Gillingham 5-0 and West Ham United where to play him, if at all - is hanging over Mourinho and will face Chelsea after scraping past won’t go away, because it’s the most hotly debated issue fourth-tier Accrington Stanley. in English football at present. Here are Mourinho’s options “We deserved to win,” Mourinho told going forward regarding Rooney: Sky Sports after goals from , Ander Herrera and substitute KEEP HIM AS NO 10 took his side into the Rooney is United’s - and England’s - captain and needs fourth round. Mourinho, speaking four more goals to become the club’s all-time record scorer, before the draw had been made, added: topping Bobby Charlton’s 249 goals. Given time, he might “It was difficult, as I was expecting, but improve his partnership with Ibrahimovic, while Pogba we were totally in control for the 35 might learn how to better operate in a midfield two. Rooney minutes and then for the last 45 min- hasn’t been among the players publicly criticized in recent utes. “It was a difficult match, but overall weeks by Mourinho, who has long been a fan of the player. a positive performance.” Mourinho, who felt that SWANSEA: Swansea City’s Gambian-Swedish striker Modou Barrow (L) CHANGE POSITION Northampton’s Jak McCourt should vies with Manchester City’s French defender Gael Clichy during the Rooney finished the Northampton game on the right of have been sent off for a rash challenge English League Cup third round football match between Swansea City a front three also containing Ibrahimovic and Rashford. He on , did not attend his is hard-working, has played the wide role before, and post-match press conference. United’s and Manchester City at The Liberty Stadium. — AFP United’s other wingers - , Jesse Lingard and victory was a welcome tonic for Memphis Depay - are hardly in the best form. Maybe Mourinho and his team following con- the rebound into the top-left corner the bench, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rooney could stay there, as part of a 4-3-3 formation or secutive losses to Manchester City, from the edge of the box. Rooney then Rashford replacing Fosu-Mensah and with a teammate like or in Feyenoord and Watford. He made nine saw a goal ruled out for offside, but Depay. Herrera gave Northampton a the No. 10 role. Then again, Mourinho said in his first news changes to the side beaten 3-1 at Northampton gave United a scare when warning with a left-foot shot that struck conference as United manager: “For me, he will be a nine, Watford on Sunday, with Chris Smalling Kenji Gorre clipped the bar in the 38th the post and in the 68th minute he he will be a 10, he will be a nine-and-a-half.” That suggests and captain Wayne Rooney the only minute and within four minutes the restored United’s lead, slamming home Rooney will be a central striker or a deep-lying striker. players to keep their places. home side were level. right-footed from Rashford’s lay-off. Rooney started up front, for the first Another Smith error allowed United DROP HIM time since last season, and squandered Kompany concern to seal victory, the goalkeeper hesitating The last manager to drop Rooney was Alex Ferguson, in an early opportunity by miscuing from After , Timothy Fosu- as a long ball bounced towards him, the final season of his near-27-year reign. It almost led to ’s cross. United went Mensah and Morgan Schneiderlin all which allowed Rashford to steal in and Rooney leaving United. Mourinho could do the same in an ahead in the 17th minute after spurned chances to clear, lash the ball into the vacant goal. attempt to get more out of Pogba, give Ibrahimovic more Northampton goalkeeper Adam Smith tripped Sam Hoskins and Alex Revell Premier League pace-setters space to rove in attack, and inject some more pace into the was penalized for picking up a back- stroked the resulting penalty past Sergio Manchester City made it nine wins from forward line. — AP pass. Rooney’s shot from the ensuing Romero. Mourinho waited only 10 min- nine games under Guardiola with victo- free-kick hit the wall, but Carrick swept utes in the second half before turning to ry at Swansea. — AFP