Jose Mourinho sends tailored text messages to Manchester United stars ahead of big games as he looks to arrest slide in EFL Cup clash with City
* Jose Mourinho has kept up a positive attitude despite the Chelsea loss
* The Manchester United manager texts his players before big games
* United face Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night at home
Manchester United stars can expect a rousing text message from Jose Mourinho ahead of Wednesday’s crunch derby against City as he looks to arrest their frustrating form.
The United boss has kept up a charm offensive with his players despite a disappointing run of results in the Premier League.
He has retained a positive attitude around his players at training and sends tailored messages of support in a bid to galvanise the squad ahead of big games, which Manchester City in the EFL Cup has now become.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho sends pre-match text messages to his players
The Portuguese is also believed to be jovial on the team bus ahead of matches to cajole additional team spirit.
That worked ahead of last Monday’s gritty draw at Liverpool - Mourinho impressed with the dedication to his strategy at Anfield. His game plan away at old employers Chelsea was undone within 30 seconds, however.
Mourinho did not pinpoint specific individuals at Stamford Bridge, although has publicly scolded Luke Shaw and Jesse Lingard in his opening few weeks in charge. Sportsmail understands both players took the criticism on the chin.
Mourinho’s start to life at Old Trafford has not been smooth, with just one win in his last half-a-dozen league games and United now six points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s City.
He was visibly unhappy with deficiencies directly leading to Chelsea goals during the 4-0 weekend humbling in the capital.
‘We made an incredible defensive mistake,’ he said of Pedro’s first-minute opener. ‘I have to say incredible in capitals.’
United’s squad have been criticised for folding in London and their boss should remind them of the chance to make amends when City arrive at Old Trafford for the EFL Cup clash.
City themselves are going through a sticky patch having not won for a month in all competitions.
It means Mourinho and Guardiola may turn back on plans to rest some of their more important performers after both managers said last week that the EFL Cup is low down in their list of priorities.
But victory on Wednesday night would represent a significant lift for either side after indifferent spells.
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