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Jose Mourinho has laughed off suggestions that his decision to live in a Manchester hotel, rather than buy a permanent residence, demonstrates a lack of commitment to his job at Old Trafford.
The United manager was responding to claims that club officials are fearful that he will walk out of his position this summer, just two years through the three-season deal he signed when succeeding Louis van Gaal.
Mourinho moved quickly, and emphatically, to deny such reports and was equally dismissive when addressing claims that his decision to rent an apartment in the city centre Lowry Hotel, rather than buying property in the area, shows his unhappiness at being in Manchester.
Everton vs Manchester United player ratingsShow all 22 1 /22Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Joel Robles - 7 out of 10 Emerged with some credit, matching the majority of what a rampant but forward line could throw at him.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Muhamed Besic - 4 out of 10 Visibly confused by the mere prospect of handling Martial. This was not the day to be making you first go of playing right-back.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Phil Jagielka - 5 out of 10 Not ‘medically fit’ for this game according to Roberto Martinez. However you want to put it, he was off-the-pace.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings John Stones - 5 out of 10 Hesitated and then moved far too late to meet Fellaini for the opening goal and, in truth, it was one of several moments where the highly-rated centre-half did not look too sure of himself.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Leighton Baines - 6 out of 10 A restrained, unadventurous performance, but that was largely down to he and his team-mates being penned behind the halfway line. The best of a bad bunch at the back.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Darron Gibson - 6 out of 10 On the wrong end of a cartoonish moment in the first half, when Rashford was allowed to pick his moment to turn and sprint past him. A creditable performance, nonetheless, given his lack of playing time recently.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Tom Cleverley – 5 out of 10 Should have made the most of Everton’s second-half resurgence by burying a chance at the far-post. Questions remain over whether he brings any real quality to the Toffees’ midfield.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings James McCarthy - 5 out of 10 Struggled to get a handle on his midfield opponents and, as usual, showed little more than the odd moment of adventure.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Ross Barkley - 5 out of 10 Everton’s chief outlet on the counter in the frantic late stages but his final ball was found lacking on too many occasion.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Aaron Lennon - 7 out of 10 One of Everton’s brighter players in their dismal first half, as most of their brief forays forward originated with the winger. He could, however, have offered Besic more support.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Romelu Lukaku – 4 out of 10 Where was his touch? If the Belgian’s control had been better, he could have had Everton two-up inside the first 15 minutes, and could have notched four by the end of the 90. Those misses seemed to shake him, which explains the lacklustre penalty.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings David De Gea – 7 out of 10 As quiet an evening as Simon Mignolet enjoyed on Wednesday - until the penalty, that is, which was simply not good enough to beat a ‘keeper of his quality.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Timothy Fosu-Mensah – 6 out of 10 Looked inhibited by the occasion early on, particularly when raised a white flag for his first aerial contest with Lukaku. Seemed to recover but made a clumsy challenge for the penalty.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Marcos Rojo - 4 out of 10 Gave Deulofeu far too much room for the goal. Still yet to prove he is good enough to play at this level.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Daley Blind - 5 out of 10 Struggled to contain Lukaku at times, who often found it easy to roll the Dutchman off him.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Chris Smalling - 5 out of 10 Even he probably does not know why, when trying to block Gerard Deulofeu’s shot, he had both feet off the floor and lead with his right when a left would’ve hooked clear. Ultimately, his own goal didn’t matter.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Michael Carrick - 6 out of 10 Settled into his usual role of ticking possession over in the middle of the park and rarely looked to do anything more ambitious, save a delightful chip over the top late on for Rashford.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Marouane Fellaini - 8 out of 10 His delicate clipped finish for the opener complemented an uncharacteristically neat display. His movement for the goal was just as impressive.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Wayne Rooney - 8 out of 10 Masterful, surprisingly, in the first half as he flitted between holding midfield and ‘the hole’. Everton, like the press pack, spent a lot of their time trying to put a finger on where he was playing. They only did late on, once he had ran out of gas.
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Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Anthony Martial - 9 out of 10 If United were ever to look back on this season fondly, you suspected it would have something to do with the Frenchman. He’s put them into a cup final, he may have to win it for them too.
Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Jesse Lingard - 7 out of 10 Lively, neat play to set up his team-mates, particularly the cute backheel to send Rashford through, but lacked composure when presented with opportunities of his own.
Everton vs Manchester United player ratings Marcus Rashford - 7 out of 10 Terrorised Everton as part of United’s quick, if not so sharp, attacking triumvirate. Like Lingard, guilty of spurning opportunities.
"If the fans want me to be comfortable, that's the way I feel comfortable, I am very lazy!” joked Mourinho. “I like to arrive in the hotel and I don't want anyone to worry because I'm not living in a two square metres room.
“I'm in an apartment where I have all the comfort and support, like living in a house. If they are worried about me being comfortable and happy and supported, I really am. If they want me to be in a house that I don't like, lonely, away from my assistants, then I would be a sad guy - and sad guys don't work well.”
Rumours have circulated that have suggested Mourinho has become more distant in his dealings with senior club officials in recent weeks - a period that has seen United’s title bid all but end and the club exit the EFL Cup at Championship club Bristol City .
However, he is adamant that not only will he see through his current deal - which the club has the right to extend for an extra year until the summer of 2020 - but that he sees his long-term future at Old Trafford.
“Look, it depends on what you want to know and what you want to speak about,” Mourinho said. “If you want to speak about some news, I say ‘garbage.’ I don't find a better word to define the talk.
“If you want to ask me directly, which I suppose you want, if I see myself next season in Manchester United , I say I see myself here. And, as I said when I arrived, I'm going to leave when the club wants me to leave, because I have no intention to leave at all.
“My intention is to stay, and to work and to improve and to bring the club where to where the club belongs and I want to stay. And I don't see any reason not to stay.
“Yes, I still have a contract, in fact I am in the middle of my contract, I am not in the last couple of months, and my desire is to stay until the owners and the board is happy with my work.”
Mourinho is currently in early talks with executive vice chairman Ed Woodward over a contract extension and appeared genuinely insulted at suggestions that his current mood suggests he has lost his passion and hunger for the job.
"Because I don't behave as a clown, it means I've lost my passion?” said Mourinho
“I prefer to behave as I am, more mature, better for myself and the team. You don't have to behave like a crazy guy. It's not what you do in front of the cameras.
Mourinho insists he is happy with the current set-up at United (Getty) “Speaking about my work and connecting my work to the garbage news is to say that the worst thing anyone can do to myself, is not to say that I am a bad manager, is not to say that I am under-performing or that I made a mistake in this game or that game, the worst thing someone can do is put one inch of doubt about my professionalism, my dedication to my club, to my job, to my players.
“So yes, the garbage news affected me just on this aspect because it's something I don't admit. But again, I repeat I am in the middle of my contract, if I am going to sign a new one or no, of course it depends on the club but my commitment with the club is total and I want to stay.”
Mourinho was talking ahead of this evening’s FA Cup third round tie with Championship side Derby, a game for which he expects to welcome back Romelu Lukaku , after he suffered a suspected concussion against Southampton last week, and midfielder Marouane Fellaini may also be fit enough to start.
Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018Show all 43 1 /43Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Luke Shaw Following strong criticism from his own manager and pundits, after a series of long-term injuries, the former-Saint looks set to leave Old Trafford after four seasons that has seen him make only 53 appearances for United.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ander Herrera Manchester United have a one-year option they can invoke in the Spaniard’s contract should they wish to extend his stay at Old Trafford. Nemanja Matic’s arrival has limited the midfielder’s opportunities with the majority of his appearances this season coming from the bench.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Jack Wilshere Having struggled with injuries for years the Arsenal academy graduate has played in Arsenal’s previous four games. Undoubtedly talented, should the midfielder reject a proposed contract extension from the London club he will have plenty of Premier League sides eager to sign him at the end of the season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Emre Can Heavily linked with a move to Juventus, the former-Bayern Munich midfielder has been frustrated by Jurgen Klopp’s rotation policy in a congested Liverpool midfield, and with the impending arrival of Naby Keita from Leipzig in the summer, sees his opportunities further diminishing.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Marouane Fellaini Struggling for game time in a United midfield consisting of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, and Nemanja Matic, the Belgian may be tempted to move in search of first team opportunities.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Franck Ribery The Champions League winner, now 34, has struggled with injury this season, and has understandably looked rusty upon his return to the Bayern starting eleven.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Daley Blind Having made only 13 appearances for Mourinho’s side in all competitions this season, the versatile Dutchman has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ashley Young Following his conversion to full-back by manager Jose Mourinho, the 32-year-old has scored twice and provided four assists with his dangerous delivery from out wide. Teams in the Premier League will be keen to secure the former Aston Villa player’s experience next term.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Giorgio Chiellini At 33 the Italian centre-back is still a world-class player, and with less than a year on his contract, will surely be a bargain for whoever secures his services next summer.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Zlatan Ibrahimovic Undoubted class, but at 36, whether the Swede represents value for money is another matter, with the striker one of the highest paid players in the Premier League.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Fernando Torres The former Liverpool striker has had to settle for a place on the bench since his return to Atletico Madrid, behind Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro in the pecking order. A move away surely beckons for the 33-year-old.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Arjen Robben Bayern’s other veteran winger has also had an injury-stricken season in Bavaria, though has still managed to score three and assist four in all competitions. The Dutchman is certainly still a threat when fully fit.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Iker Casillas Having won the Champions League three times, Casillas is certainly a high-quality goalkeeper. Could the Spanish veteran be a good signing for a top-European club?
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Hatem Ben Arfa Talent in abundance though lacking work rate, teams interested in the attacker will hope they can see the player find the form he displayed at OGC Nice, scoring 18 goals and assisting 7 in 2015/16.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ezequiel Lavezzi The stocky Argentine forward has been on fire this season in the Chinese Super League, scoring 20 goals and assisting 19 in 27 games. A return to Europe is surely on the cards for the former-Napoli man.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joel Robles Displaced from the Everton starting line-up by £30m summer arrival Jordan Pickford, the Spaniard will be eager to guarantee himself more game-time should next year.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Juanfran The Atletico Madrid legend, now 32, is under increasing competition from Croatian full-back Sime Vrsaljko and could be tempted by a move before retirement.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Amin Younes The Ajax forward, currently sidelined with a serious knee injury, had an excellent season in 2016/17 and was rewarded with his first Germany cap by Joachim Lowe in June this year.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Andre-Pierre Gignac The French target-man has enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career with Mexican side Tigres UANL, scoring a goal in every two games in all competitions. Proven in Ligue 1 with Marseille, the striker is capable of succeeding in Europe.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Yohan Cabaye Capable of dictating games at the top-level, the Frenchman could surely be a wildcard for a top side in the Premier League next season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Mario Balotelli The enigmatic Italian striker has reignited his stop-start career in Nice with 33 goals in 49 appearances for the French side.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joao Moutinho Winner of Ligue 1 with AS Monaco last year, the 31-year-old midfielder is into the final year of his contract.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Carlos Vela The Mexican wideman has found goals hard to come by this season, scoring just once this season for Real Sociedad.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Yaya Toure After years of speculation that Toure would leave Manchester City, the Ivorian’s time at City finally seems to coming to an end.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Stefan de Vrij Liverpool have been linked to the Netherland’s international in recent weeks as Jurgen Klopp seeks to add quality to his defence.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Neven Subotic The Bundesliga winner has made only four appearances this season, often failing to even make the bench for Dortmund.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Max Meyer The 22-year-old playmaker Meyer has been consistently linked with Liverpool, Tottenham and Barcelona and has so far refused any contract offers made by Schalke.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Dani Garcia The Spanish midfielder has been a mainstay for SD Eibar over the past three seasons. Offering a goal-threat from midfield with his long-distance shooting and set-piece ability, Garcia could prove a shrewd acquisition.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Achraf Hakimi The Moroccan full back has deputised well for Dani Carvajal in La Liga this season, and has shown glimpses of his potential at the Bernabeu.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Stephan Lichsteiner Disappointing performances for the Bianconeri this season, and added competition from Mattia de Sciglio have led to rumours that the Swiss defender could be set to leave Turin in January.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Bernard The pacey winger has enjoyed a four year spell in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, though in not signing a new contract, may have his heart set on playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Diego Reyes The 25-year-old defender has guided FC Porto to the top of the Primeira Liga, conceding only six goals in the process.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Enes Unal Still only 20, the Turkish forward has seen his career stall since moving to Spain from Manchester City. Should the striker fail to sign a new contract with Villareal, a move back to the Eredivisie could prove fruitful for a striker with vast potential.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ivan Marcano The Porto centre-back, also capable of playing left-back, has been the subject of interest from Everton following a number of impressive displays for the Iberian club.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joao Miranda Former Atletico Madrid star Miranda has started all but one league game for Inter Milan this term helping his side keep eight clean sheets so far. Should he fail to renew his contract with the Nerazzuri, he will be a top acquisition for any side.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Kepa Arrizabalaga The 23-year-old goalkeeper is yet to sign a new deal with Athletic Bilbao, and is rumoured to be close to agreeing a move to Real Madrid for €20m.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Kwadwo Asamoah The five-time Serie A winner is capable of playing in a variety of positions and would certainly be a valuable squad player for top sides in Europe.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Mark Uth The 26-year-old striker has been in excellent form for Hoffenheim this season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Pedro Leon Injured since the summer, the experienced right winger would be a gamble with such little game time in the past year. If he can prove his fitness, the winger is capable of creating chances from wide areas, with six assists last season in La Liga.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Santi Cazorla Blighted by serious injuries to his Achilles and having had surgery nine times in 14 months, the diminutive midfielder will hope to regain his fitness to restart his career.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Zlatko Junuzovic The Werder Bremen creative midfielder has assisted 49 in 182 appearances, scoring 20 goals in the process.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Rafinha The experienced Brazilian right-back is entering the last year of his contract with Bayern Munich. Capable of deputising at the top level, and with invaluable experience in the Champions league, the 32-year old could provide excellent cover for an elite European side next season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Sergio Canales The Spanish playmaker is yet to agree a new contract and has proven, when fit, that he is capable of playing at the top level.
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Back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero will replace David De Gea but Mourinho has no intention of treating the competition lightly by selecting a weakened team.
WI always give a lot of respect to the cups,” said Mourinho. “Of course the FA Cup is special in relation to the League Cup, but even the League Cup I was one of the first managers of the top teams to go to the League Cup to win it.
“The only good thing out of the bad against Bristol was that I couldn't blame myself, that I went there just to have some fun and play with kids and throw away the match. You finish the game and lose, you don’t blame yourself because of your choices. I’m going to do the same against Derby.”
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