Rooney Is Playing So Well – Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has said Manchester United are “in control” of their players’ futures as they club look to activate extensions for five first-teamers.

Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young all have contracts at Old Trafford until next summer, with United holding an option to extend each deal by a further year.

Mourinho suggested at his news conference at Carrington on Friday that only Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Michael Carrick will have to share their plans at the end of the season when both will be out of contract.

Marouane Fellaini is also out of contract next summer,even if reports have said United are prepared to talk to the Belgian midfielder about a new deal.

The situation at United is different to that at Arsenal, who have both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil reaching the final year of their contracts, something Arsene Wenger has called “ideal.”

Mourinho said: “When the club has a one-year option it means they have one more year of contract so nobody is in the last year. The only player, two players are Zlatan and Carrick.

“Two players at the end of the season who are going to sit, analyse what they did and what they want to do. All the other players are under the club control until end of the 2018-19 season. We are speaking about June 2019. No player ends his contract.”

Meanwhile, Mourinho has heaped praise on Everton manager Ronald Koeman’s handling of Wayne Rooney’s arrest for drink driving.

The former United forward will be present at Stockport Magistrates Court on Sep. 18 — the day after Everton play United at Old Trafford — but is ready to play for Everton against Tottenham at Goodison Park on Saturday.

“I think it’s normal that he faces the court situation. For me, that’s it, end of story. He’s a great guy, a great player. He’s playing so well.

“I’m really happy that Ronald Koeman thinks in this simple way that I do too and has already said he’s going to play.”