Manchester United under Jose Mourinho

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Manchester United's joyous win over Bournemouth shows why there can never be a European Super League

* 10 years ago, Manchester United were the champions of Europe
* Meanwhile Bournemouth were in League Two - but they met on Saturday
* That they're now above United is a gloriously remote possibility brought to life
* Any super league would wreak unprecedented damage on the wider game

If ever there was a game to sum up the sheer perversion of the proposals for a European Super League, then perhaps this was the one. Maybe this was the match that shows why those considering such a cheap play for riches should be locked away in their own vaults.

Consider for a moment what was going on 10 years ago — Manchester United were the champions of Europe and the Premier League and Bournemouth were second from bottom in League Two.

The fact Bournemouth sit ahead of United in the table today, even after defeat on Saturday, is a gloriously remote possibility brought to life. Shame, really, on those who are said to have been involved in discussing a plan that would wreak unprecedented damage on the wider game — a group which is reported to have included United.

If that is true, then perhaps there is a delusion in their grandeur. They got the win here and deserve credit for extending their resurgence to four games unbeaten in the league, but there are not merely cracks on show but gaping chasms, most of which are still found in the defence and their £130million midfield.

By the time Callum Wilson put Bournemouth ahead on 11 minutes, the home side had already created three strong openings and it was only a mild exaggeration when Jose Mourinho said United should have trailed 6-2 at the break.

Instead they went in at 1-1, before the customary United improvement in the second half, in which Alexis Sanchez — starting for the first time since September —and Paul Pogba were especially dangerous. There is significant encouragement in that, as well as Anthony Martial's fifth goal in five games to equalise and the composure of Marcus Rashford's late winner.


Man United grabbing a late winner at Bournemouth shows why there can't be a super league

But their slow starts in matches are a mystery and it reveals a baffling shortcoming in the team's collective psyche that such gifted individuals can only rouse themselves when facing a crisis.

With respect to Bournemouth, who have been excellent this season, particularly at home, it is inconceivable to think Juventus will not be out of sight by half-time in Turin on Wednesday if United are similarly sluggish out of the blocks.

The squad are plainly aware of the problem. 'The first half I think was probably our worst first half of the season — we were all miles off it,' Chris Smalling said. 'I think in the second half we could have had four or five goals. We just need that consistency for the whole game.

'In the last few years I think we have been known for shutting up shop and not conceding many goals so this season has been very unusual.'

Asked if there was an echo of the Alex Ferguson era in the never-say-die ethos of recent second halves, Smalling said: 'Yeah, we're showing that attitude — never giving in. No matter how bad that first half was, that second half we all believed we can go and win. It's a great feeling.'

That feels like a stretch, but progress is being made, albeit against the backdrop of massive work still needing to be done.

For Bournemouth, there was the double success of not only seeing Wilson score his sixth goal of the campaign shortly before the England squad is announced, but also another fine performance from Nathan Ake. Chelsea must be regretting his sale more with each game.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6352149/Man-Utds-joyous-clash-Bournemouth-shows-never-super-league.html

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'You need to win with class': Paul Scholes criticises Jose Mourinho's reaction after Manchester United's win over Juventus as manager hits out at constant abuse in 'beautiful Italian'

* Jose Mourinho defended his reaction as Manchester United defeated Juventus
* Mourinho goaded the home support by cupping his ear at full-time in the 2-1 win
* Juve stars Paulo Dybala and Leonardo Bonnuci voiced their anger at his gesture
* Ex-United star Paul Scholes criticised him, saying: 'You need to win with class'

Manchester United completed a dramatic comeback to stun Juventus on Wednesday night only for Jose Mourinho to spark another post-match storm.

On the day the FA decided to continue fighting their case against Mourinho following comments he made after United beat Newcastle last month, he upset Juve fans after a memorable 2-1 victory in the Allianz Stadium.

The former Inter Milan coach manager insisted he was responding to taunts from the Italian fans when he cupped his hands to his ears, bringing an angry response from Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci.

Mourinho, who had to be escorted off the pitch, said: 'I didn't offend anyone at the end, I just made a gesture that I wanted to hear them louder.

'I probably shouldn't have done it, and with a cool head I wouldn't have done it. But with my family insulted, including my Inter family, I reacted like this.'

Mourinho had said before the game that he would not respond to the Juve fans again after brandishing three fingers at them during United's defeat at Old Trafford a fortnight ago to represent the Treble he won with Inter in 2010.

'Before I said that I would not do it, but then I did,' he added. 'You remember what they did to me, but that sign is not an offence.'

Former United favourite Paul Scholes criticised Mourinho for his actions which once again overshadowed a comeback victory by United.


Jose Mourinho has defended his reaction following Manchester United's victory over Juventus. Paul Scholes said at the full-time whistle that Mourinho needed to be more humble in victory

'This is everywhere he goes,' said Scholes. 'You need to win with a bit of class sometimes, shake the manager's hand. I don't think there's any need for it but that's the way he is.'

Scholes played in a famous United win in Turin in April 1999 when Sir Alex Ferguson's came from two goals down in a Champions League semi-final to win 3-2 on the night, and this was another sensational victory.

Former United star Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed Juve ahead but United came back to hand the Italian champions their first defeat of the season with two late goals.

Juan Mata scored an excellent free kick and Alex Sandro then scored in his own goal from a header by another United substitute, Marouane Fellaini.

Mourinho said: 'On a beautiful Italian day, I made a little thing. I know millions are happy with the win. But I respect Juventus and the quality they have. I am really proud of my boys because they did everything.

'We had to come and not feel inferior. We were in a situation where we thought we needed to go to the last second of the match.


The gesture didn't go down well and he was confronted by Paulo Dybala and Leonardo Bonnuci. Mourinho claimed after the game that he was insulted throughout by fans in 'beautiful Italian'

'Juventus have phenomenal players. That Cristiano Ronaldo goal was beautiful and the player (Bonucci) that made that beautiful pass, is a central defender! They are a fantastic team with an amazing record at home.'

If United beat Young Boys at home in their next game and Valencia do not beat Juventus, then Mourinho's side will qualify for the knockout stage from Group H.

He added: 'We have one final to play at home against Young Boys. If my mathematics is right then we qualify so I think now I leave it to the Old Trafford people.

'I hope we arrive on time! We had an amazing escort here today – thank you to the Italian police. Hopefully we can get all three points.'

Mata celebrated a momentous win, saying: 'What a nice last five minutes. It is a very good night for us to get three points against Juventus in Italy. It's amazing!

'I have confidence in my free-kicks at the moment. I train a lot.'

Paul Pogba struggled on his first appearance in Turin since a £89million return to United, but emerged a winner as his presence on the goal line forced Sandro to score in his own net.

'I celebrated for the goal,' said Pogba. 'It was strange, it touched a lot of people. We had maybe an extra breath or power to push it at the end.'

A frustrated Ronaldo echoed Juventus' feelings that they had been the victims of a smash and grab by United.

'We should have won the game easily – three or four goals,' he said. 'Manchester didn't do much in my opinion.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6365111/Paul-Scholes-criticises-Jose-Mourinhos-reaction-Manchester-Uniteds-win-Juventus.html

bingung juga sama Scholes, kalah dikritik, menang dikritik. liat skuad & performa juga tau diatas kertas Juve lebih unggul. kalo mo menang dengan 'class' mah susah, yah kadang keberuntungan juga diperlukan dalam sepakbola. kalo tim nya kayak City baru deh harus menang dengan 'class'. United memang membutuhkan kemenangan ini, menjauh dari kejaran Valencia diklasemen & modal u/ derby nanti.
terlepas dari selebrasi Mou yg 'kurang berkelas' mah kan krn provokasi fans Juve juga, waktu di OT kan juga gitu, Mou mengacungkan 3 jari u/ membalas. selebrasi kayak gitu mah menurut gw 'biasa' aja karena faktor Mou, mungkin kalo Pep yg selebrasi gitu jadinya 'aneh'.

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Punch-drunk Manchester United showed their true colours against Manchester City... the top four looks a tough ask for Jose Mourinho's men

* Manchester United lost 3-1 to Manchester City in the first derby of the season
* The gap between City and United looks like it is going to continue getting bigger
* United's attitude to the game showed changed expectations at Old Trafford
* The title is out of the question and a top four spot does not look straightforward

Perceptions and expectations can change in football almost without anybody noticing and that is what has happened at Manchester United.

With 15 minutes of this game left, somebody suggested manager Jose Mourinho would not be too unhappy to be 2-1 down. Nobody argued.

A one-goal deficit meant United were still in the game. The consensus was that things could have been worse and this points to how things have insidiously shifted at Old Trafford.


Manchester United's loss at Manchester City was the perfect example of perceptions changing. Jose Mourinho's side were happy to have a fighting chance with 15 minutes remaining

The horizon of what is achievable looks very different under Mourinho and that remains United's problem doing forwards. His is a team that views a foothold in a big game as something to be grateful for.

United were not dreadful here. They played much worse for periods of last season's fixture at the Etihad and ending up winning. But just as that strange victory didn't tell us much other than the fact football can be a bit strange at times, this game and this performance did educate us a little about United's current standing.

Mourinho's team have improved since the 3-1 defeat at West Ham in September that briefly cast doubt over his future. They have rediscovered some purpose and some cussedness. Late goals against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Juventus have hinted at a little pride at least.

But watching this game, it was hard not to see them for what they really are. The farcical tendencies of early season have gone. But in their place sits a kind of mundanity of ability and ambition that should be alien to a big club at which so much transfer money has been spent.

There were short periods of the game that saw City at somewhere near their dazzling best. The first ten minutes of either half, for example. By the time United conceded the first goal after only ten minutes, they already looked a little punch drunk.


But Manchester City put the game to bed on 86 minutes to leave United 12 points behind them

However, the most telling period from a United point of view came in the wake of the goal they scored themselves. It was a gift from City's goalkeeper Ederson and should have provided United with a platform to worry City.

Given the way Pep Guardiola's team had collapsed from a position of apparent dominance against United last April, their opponents should have been able to draw on some relatively fresh memories as they sought momentum.

But in the 33 minutes that followed that penalty, Mourinho's team failed to create a single opportunity. United had fresh legs in the shape of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez on the field, the former having won the penalty with his first forward movement of the game.

City looked momentarily like a side that may be about to get caught in the headlights again. But apart from a couple of crosses in to the penalty area and one or two agricultural leaps from Marouane Fellaini that may have elicited a fortuitous bounce in the penalty area, there was nothing to suggest that another unexpected finale may be on.

United were facing the best team in the country, we should not forget that. It will be a huge surprise if City do not defend their title and the chances are they will do so by a reasonable margin.

Nevertheless, if a 12-point gap between the two clubs realistically rules United out of a tilt at the Premier League, it also begs the question of just how lofty Mourinho's targets can now afford to be.

United must aim for the top four. Anything else would leave Mourinho in a precarious position. But on this evidence it will not be straight forward.


Mourinho's side are well and truly out of the title race and must aim for the top four at best

Despite recent encouraging results, United seem incapable of beginning a game well, for example. When is the last time they played well for 90 minutes? They remain desperately reactive, while imposing personality and authority on an opponent from the first moment continues to seem beyond them.

Worryingly for United, this was far from City's best performance of the season. Guardiola admitted as much afterwards.

But in players like the excellent creative force Bernardo Silva and the impressive holding Brazilian player Fernandinho, they had players operating on a different level to any of those in red.

For United, Ander Herrera was a liability in the centre of the field while Marcus Rashford did nothing to advance a case for playing regularly as a traditional centre forward.

Ultimately, City opened the door for their opponents only for United to prove too hesitant. The gap between these two rivals is growing and anyone who has watched United for any length of time will know it.

Afterwards, Mourinho lamented the fact that he wasn't able to throw Fellaini on as a late blunderbuss. That in itself speaks volumes. So does the fact his team are as close now in terms of league points to the City of Cardiff as they are the City of Manchester.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6377969/Punch-drunk-Manchester-United-showed-true-colours-against-Manchester-City.html

4 besar target yg realisits u/ musim ini

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'If you feel pressure, stay at home and watch on TV': Jose Mourinho tells his Manchester United players that they should steer clear if they can't handle playing at Old Trafford

* Jose Mourinho tells his players 'to stay at home' if they can't handle the pressure
* Manchester United have only won three of their nine games at Old Trafford
* The Red Devils host Young Boys on Tuesday evening in the Champions League
* But Jose says anyone who can't handle pressure of Old Trafford should stay clear

Jose Mourinho says his players would be better off staying at home and watching Manchester United on television if they cannot handle the pressure of playing at Old Trafford.

Saturday’s drab goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace means United have only won three of their nine games at Old Trafford in all competitions this season.

The opening two Champions League Group H encounters at home to Valencia and Juventus ended with a draw and a defeat respectively as United failed to score on both occasions.

They face Young Boys on Tuesday night looking to avoid an unwanted record of going three European games at Old Trafford without a goal for the first time in the club’s history.

Mourinho was reluctant to accept that United are better away from home at the moment, but he had an emphatic message for any player who felt cowed by the prospect of playing at Old Trafford.

‘If you feel pressure stay at home and when I say “home” I don't say stadium home, I say home home and watch on TV,’ said the United boss, who has orchestrated away wins over Young Boys and Juventus in this season’s Champions League. ‘When the people come to support, come on. I don’t feel pressure to play at home.

‘I think it would be a lack of respect to the stadium and fans to say we prefer to play away from home, I totally refuse to say that. Do I prefer to play tomorrow at Young Boys here or go to Bern I would say immediately to play at home. Always.’


Jose Mourinho tells his players 'to stay at home' if they can't handle the pressure at Old Trafford

United turned in one of their worst performances of the season against Palace and Mourinho once again came under fire over his tactics. However, he suggested that the players are not following his instructions as they continue to lack intensity in some games.

‘I want the team to start strong and go strong on the opponent, not to be waiting,’ he added. ‘Probably you or the fans think Jose told them to start slow and play nice and easy, or to be waiting for them to react. It’s exactly the opposite thing. I want the team to go immediately and it’s a bit frustrating.’

Asked about the team’s lack of consistency, he replied: ‘I don't want to answer to it, when I sometimes try to answer and explain then I'm criticised because I explain it, so I prefer not to do it.’

United can clinch qualification to the knockout stage for the second year in a row if they beat Young Boys and Valencia fail to beat Juventus in Turin.

Mourinho wants his players to secure their place in the next 16 now rather than have to rely on getting a result against Valencia in Spain next month.

‘I describe like is not a crucial match because if we don't win tomorrow we still don't depend on other results,’ he added. ‘So it’s not a crucial game but I want to play from minute one like it's the last chance we have to qualify.

‘I want to play this game as a knockout game and the team we are going to play is a team that tries to have that happiness to cope with that little pressure on the players that is not a real pressure because the reality is we have one more match to play, but a team to cope with that happiness to play a decisive game. Let's forget against Valencia, let's play this game like a game we have to win.’

Mourinho confirmed that Victor Lindelof could be out until Christmas with the muscle injury he sustained against Palace. Phil Jones or Eric Bailly will take his place against Young Boys.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6431113/Jose-Mourinho-tells-players-stay-home-handle-pressure-Old-Trafford.html

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Jose Mourinho says Manchester United finishing in Premier League top four would be 'almost a miracle'

* Manchester United are eight points off Arsenal in fourth place
* Jose Mourinho's side host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday night
* Mourinho has told Brazilian TV he is not expecting to finish in the top four

It would be a 'miracle' if Manchester United finished in the top four this season, manager Jose Mourinho said.

The Red Devils sit seventh in the league, eight points off Arsenal in fourth and the two sides will meet on Wednesday.

United have not won since November 3 and drew their last two league games against Crystal Palace and Southampton.

Speaking to Brazilian outlet RedeTV after the 2-2 draw at St Mary's, Mourinho said: 'Last year, we said that getting in 2nd place was a fantastic thing due to the qualities we had compared to the qualities of the other teams fighting for the top four.'

Referring to his ambitions for the rest of the campaign, he said: 'Try to win as many points as possible and try almost the miracle to end in fourth.'


Jose Mourinho says Manchester United will need a 'miracle' to finish in the top four this season

Meanwhile, Mourinho is acting like he wants to be sacked, according to Chris Sutton.

Mourinho's relationship with his players has come in for intensive scrutiny for much of the season and was under the spotlight again in the wake of Saturday's draw.

Speaking on Radio 5 Live, former England striker Sutton said: 'Mourinho is a better watch than Man United at the moment - the team on the pitch. Mourinho does more point scoring off the pitch than his team does on it.

'It's not a happy camp. What's going to happen in January? Can he be trusted with a pot of money in January?

'I think he wants the sack.

'His signings have been a disaster and he wants more money. How can they trust him with the performances the way they have been? What is good about Man United this season? And it all comes from the manager who is blaming everyone else.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6457257/Jose-Mourinho-says-Manchester-United-finishing-Premier-League-four-miracle.html

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'Even if you don't like me, do your best': Jose Mourinho sends message to failing Manchester United stars following limp draw at Southampton

* Jose Mourinho has asked his men to do their best despite what they think of him
* The 55-year-old went on a 10-minute rant after the 2-2 draw with Southampton
* Mourinho believes players should be professional and do their job this season

Four days ago, Jose Mourinho summoned his players to a suite at the team hotel in Southampton and questioned their professionalism and commitment in language that left them in no doubt about how he felt.

When asked on Monday if those players are still behind him in the wake of Manchester United's limp draw at St Mary's, Mourinho avoided a direct answer and chose instead to explain why he believes no player goes out of his way to get the manager sacked.

The message seemed clear enough: whatever the squad think of him, they have a duty to United to perform at their best.


Jose Mourinho has asked his players to do their best despite what they think of him

'If you think a player only plays when, in your words, he is behind the manager, what you are calling them is dishonest,' said Mourinho.

'You believe a player scores in his own goal and then runs and celebrates? "I scored in my own goal because I don't like the manager." Do you believe in that? I don't believe in that. A football player is paid — and very well paid — to be a football professional.

'What is that? It is to train every day to his limits, to play every game to his limits; it's to behave socially according to the nature of his job, it's to respect the millions of fans around the world and to respect the hierarchies of a club.

'One thing is to perform well and not so well, another thing is to be a football professional.

'When pundits who were professional players say this player is not playing for the manager, did they do that when they were players? Were they dishonest players? If they were, they shouldn't be in front of a camera speaking to millions of people.'


Paul Pogba was accused of being responsible for a 'virus' running through the club. Defeat on Wednesday will put them 11 points behind the Gunners, who occupy fourth spot

Paul Pogba was not the only one in Mourinho's sights during the 10-minute rant in which he accused his squad of being responsible for a 'virus' running through the club.

The latest criticism has left the 55-year-old manager more isolated than ever as United prepare to meet Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

Defeat would put them 11 points behind the Gunners, who occupy the fourth Champions League spot.

Arsenal are the only Premier League club in the last decade to recover from a start as poor as United's and make the top four.

Although Mourinho backed away from his comment in an interview with a Brazilian TV station that it would be a 'miracle' for United to do the same, he accepts his hopes of doing it by the end of this month are over following draws with Crystal Palace and Southampton.

'I don't think we need a miracle. We need a good run of results,' said Mourinho, who admitted seventh place was unacceptable for a club of United's stature.

'The target has changed but it changed in the sense of let's try to close the distance as much as we can and try to be by the end of December very close to these positions. I was expecting difficulties this season, but my target is still the top four.'

Mourinho's curious assertion that United are going finish above Everton will do little to reassure fans, and nor will a reminder that two of the top six clubs will miss out on the Champions League.

'There are six teams that should stay in the first six positions,' he added. 'Season after season, two of these teams are outside the top four. Last season, it was Arsenal and Chelsea.'

In the first occasion for 82 games between these clubs that does not involve Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger, Mourinho's task against a resurgent Arsenal has been made all the more difficult by a defensive injury crisis.

Although Chris Smalling, whose willingness to play through the pain barrier has been questioned by his manager in the past, is prepared to have a painkilling jab on a fractured bone in his left foot, he is set to be ruled out along with Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones.

That would leave just one fit centre back, Marcos Rojo, who has not played since the World Cup. With Antonio Valencia also out and Ashley Young suspended, Luke Shaw is expected to play despite doubts over his fitness.

The sense of unease surrounding United was not helped by Mourinho's answer to the club's in-house TV station when he was asked about the injury situation.

'I don't want to update you,' he said. 'I would like Arsenal TV to make the same questions, but they don't. They hide everything from the inside, so why should I answer to you?'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6460333/Even-dont-like-best-Jose-Mourinho-sends-message-failing-Man-United-stars.html

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Romelu Lukaku is 'good for nothing', says former Manchester United star Paul Ince as he backs Jose Mourinho for dropping pair against Arsenal

* Both Pogba and Lukaku started on the bench in Man United's draw with Arsenal
* They both came off the bench to little effect during second-half of 2-2 draw
* Former United favourite Paul Ince has not held back in his criticism of the pair
* Ince backed manager Jose Mourinho for dropping them after poor displays

Paul Ince believes Paul Pogba is 'bang average' and Romelu Lukaku 'brings nothing to the table' as he backed Jose Mourinho's decision to drop them from his Manchester United team.

The £89million midfielder and the £75m striker started on the bench in United's 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal on Wednesday night but came on in the second-half to little effect.

Former Old Trafford favourite Ince says Mourinho should not receive all the blame for United's present travails, which sees them languishing eighth in the table.

'It feels like every time I speak about Man United, it's about Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku. I'm getting bored of them both,' Ince told Paddy Power.

'Against Arsenal, the game was quite exciting and fun - which is rare for United at the minute - until those two came on the pitch.

'The big decision for Jose Mourinho now is whether he keeps the same side for the Fulham game. He keeps chopping and changing it, and I can see why.

'He did the right thing in dropping Pogba and Lukaku, they don't seem remotely interested and they're just not good enough.'

Belgium striker Lukaku scored 27 goals for United last season but has come nowhere near replicating that kind of form in the opening half of this campaign.

He has mustered just five goals though he did find the net in last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Southampton.


Romelu Lukaku has been struggling for form, with just five Man United goals this season. Midfielder Paul Pogba has also played well beneath his best for United this season. Former United favourite Paul Ince has blasted Pogba and Lukaku following the Arsenal game

Ince said: 'Lukaku isn't scoring goals at the moment. And when he isn't scoring goals, what is he good for? Nothing. He brings nothing to the table.

'If your main role is a striker, and you're not scoring goals for fun, then what's the point of you being on the pitch?

'If you aren't scoring goals as a striker – you should be dropped. I know his confidence is low but Mourinho needs to think about the team.

'They're in eighth place, which is disgraceful. So, it's all about getting points on the table, and if that means dropping Lukaku then that's what he should do, simple.'

Pogba has also performed considerably below his best all season amid a rift with Mourinho that has unsettled the entire United squad.

He is far from an automatic pick in United's midfield any more and it seems certain his days at Old Trafford are numbered.

Ince said of the French World Cup winner: 'When it comes to Pogba. It's just another drama, another chapter in the life of him.

'He was atrocious against Southampton and didn't deserve to be picked for a game like Arsenal. It's all well and good him moaning off the pitch, but the fact is, he's doing nothing to deserve a place in the side.

'Pogba's supposed to be world class, but he looks bang average. If he thinks his place is to come on the pitch and do stupid little flicks and tricks which lead to them losing the ball – he's an idiot.

'You can blame Jose Mourinho for some things, but you can't blame him for everything. Pogba doesn't help him himself, and he's right to be dropped.

'It doesn't matter how big your name is. No one is too big of a name to be dropped at United, or at least they shouldn't be.

'You can see the mood of the fans changing, and their attitude and tolerance towards Pogba too. It's rare that United players would boo a player, but they're getting sick of his behaviour. There aren't many United fans that would be sad to see him go.

'The attitude of the fans to me seems to be that if he's that desperate to leave Old Trafford – he should just go. In fact, that would be the best outcome for everyone involved.

'Ander Herrera might not be the best player on the planet. But he gets United, he gets what it means to play for them and you can see he really wants to win. He has that desire which Lukaku, and particularly Pogba don't seem to understand.

'There's a true honour around playing for the club. And if you don't get that, as far as I'm concerned you should be shown the door. It doesn't matter whether it's Man United or Morecambe.

'If Mourinho's seen that in his players, then he's got every right to not play the likes of Pogba, Lukaku and Sanchez. They deserve to be told.'

United return to action with a home league fixture against rock bottom Fulham on Saturday.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6468147/Paul-Ince-blasts-Manchester-United-pair-Paul-Pogba-Romelu-Lukaku.html

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'Give us a break and time': Jose Mourinho says his Manchester United side can't be compared to great 'teams of Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Nemanja Vidic'

* Jose Mourinho wants critics to give his Manchester United players a 'break'
* United earned a point at Old Trafford on Wednesday in a frantic 2-2 with Arsenal
* The boss feels it is not right to compare his team to United's great sides of old

Jose Mourinho insists his current side cannot be compared to the Manchester United teams that included 'Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Nemanja Vidic'.

The Portuguese saw his under-pressure side rescue a point against in-form Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday night having fallen behind twice.

But while it was much improved from recent disappointments, Mourinho was left frustrated having been unable to close the gap on the top four spots.

'I have to disagree with people who try to compare this to teams of Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Nemanja Vidic, give us a break and time,' Mourinho began. 'I am happy with the soul and heart, but we are not consistent and uniform.

'We drew 2-2, but we scored four goals. As always we made mistakes and we paid for the mistakes.

'Even in matches like today where we played well we always shoot ourselves. Our problem is a having performance like this without the mistakes we made... We are always punished.'


Jose Mourinho feels it is not right to compare his Man United team to great sides of history. He highlighted the title-winning calibre of former players such as defender Nemanja Vidic

United are in a difficult moment as they sit eight points off Chelsea in fourth, and 18 behind league leaders Manchester City.

After the disappointment of a 2-2 draw against Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday, Mourinho shuffled his pack for the visit of the Gunners as Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba both started from the bench.

Mourinho has now made more than 40 changes to his starting team for matches this season as he continues to seek out his best team.

He named a make-shift back line with Diogo Dalot and Eric Bailly being brought in with Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof sidelined through injury.

'Our defensive players were completely dead,' said the United boss.

'Arsenal were wanting the draw, diving, getting the game stopped, waiting for the game to go to the end and all the defensive players were dead, physically, because of the circumstances.

'Behind was a kid (Dalot) with a first start, and Eric, half injured and without playing for a long time, Smalling injured, was Marcos Rojo in the first minute of his season, Darmian with a third start, so difficult circumstances.

'The reality is in the last four matches we didn't lose, bad results apart from Young Boys the three draws were three bad results and before that we lost against Manchester City, everybody loses (against them) not just us, and then before that we had a period where we were playing in our limits which is sometimes people don't understand.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6466607/Mourinho-says-United-compared-great-teams-Keane-van-Nistelrooy-Vidic.html

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'Defensively Ashley Young is not up to it': Roy Keane tears into United star as Gary Neville says Jose Mourinho's side 'are like spaghetti bolognese when you’re watching them'

* Gary Neville likened Manchester United's organisation to spaghetti bolognese
* The Sky commentator was bemused by the lack of understanding at the back
* Fabinho clipped a ball through to Sadio Mane as Liverpool took a deserved lead

Gary Neville likened Manchester United's lack of organisation against Liverpool to spaghetti bolognese while Roy Keane tore into Ashley Young after a defensive half to forget at Anfield.

Jose Mourinho's side appeared to be deploying five at the back but the shape remained unclear right through until Mane broke the deadlock on 24 minutes.

For Neville, who was on co-commentary with Jamie Carragher, the back-line was as messy as the popular Italian main course.


Ashley Young was at fault for the first goal and was criticised by Roy Keane at half-time. Neville, likened United's organisation to spaghetti bolognese. Keane criticised Young insisting he does not possess the ability to smell danger in advance

'You asked me earlier in the game how United are playing you can sort of see five at the back but they are all over the place, they are like spaghetti bolognese when you’re watching them,' the former United defender said on Sky.

'Even on this free-kick (that followed) the line isn’t straight! I just look at them and just can’t tell who is leading that line.'

Former Monaco midfielder Fabinho was afforded the time to lift his head up and clip a ball through the middle of the United defence for Mane to run on to.


Liverpool started stronger and continued to pepper United's goal due to confusion at the back

Mane took a touch before firing past De Gea and United, who desperately need a win to close the gap on the top four, were left shell-shocked.

Ashley Young was the player at fault for Mane's opener and Sky pundit for the day Roy Keane was less than complimentary of the winger-turned-defender.

Sat alongside Graeme Souness, he said: 'Defensively (Young) is not up to it. I know it’s not his natural position but he is nowhere near good enough.

'Whether he is not focusing but sometimes you have to smell danger and I don’t think he has that. You have to smell it, feel it in your bones.'


Eric Bailly was forced to step in late on after Chris Smalling picked up an injury in the warm-up

Mourinho was forced into a late shuffle at the back as Chris Smalling picked up an injury in the warm-up. Eric Bailly came in to replace him and the lack of long-standing relationships soon became evident.

United did find a route back into the game with what Neville described as a 'gift' before half-time when an error from Alisson allowed Jesse Lingard, who he criticised pre-match for the timing of his clothing range launch, to slot home.

On the goalkeeper, Keane added: 'All great goalkeepers I worked with like Peter Schmeichel, if you make a mistake in a big game it is what you do next.

'But sometimes you need a bit of luck and United got that.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6501537/Gary-Neville-likens-Man-Uniteds-lack-organisation-spaghetti-bolognese.html