Manchester United got back to winning ways after two games without a victory in all competitions, they triumphed 3-1 at struggling Swansea on Sunday. Full-back Luke Shaw and centre-back Chris Smalling were not included in the match squad due to injury issues they had complained about on Sunday morning. Manager Jose Mourinho, under pressure after his side's unconvincing form so far, was far from happy with the two players' attitude and he didn't hide his feelings during the post-match TV interview.
In fact, he said before the game: "Smalling doesn't feel that he can play 100% with his pain. Shaw told me this morning that he was not able to play." After the match, he added: "For the team, you have to do anything. There is a difference between the brave, who want to play at any cost, and the ones for whom a little pain can make a difference. If I were to speak with the many great football people of this team, they will say they played many times without being 100%. We have players on the pitch with problems. In every sport, how many times do you play and you're not 100%?"
Shaw and Smalling were left out of the England squad as well, as Gareth Southgate prepares for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland, followed by a high-profile friendly match against Spain. Ashley Young and Phil Jones played for United on Sunday, replacing Shaw and Smalling, and Mourinho praised the two players. "It is not just the players, but the people that surround the players," Mourinho said. "Yes, it takes time, but with the help of people like Phil Jones, who was playing without having even trained, Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney - with these people it will not be an impossible mission but a possible mission."
Manchester United are currently eight points behind league leaders Liverpool, and they are 20/1 at Bet365 to win the Premier League title this season.
GREGJO
7 years ago
Mancheter United's squad are one of the bullish ones I1m sure. After the Sir Alex Ferguson's area they cannot sign good players. Yes, I understand that Shaw or Mikhtaryan, Young, Rojo are good players, but they are not on the same level as the Red Devils. In my opinion Mourinho is not a high level coach as well. So I have...
Mancheter United's squad are one of the bullish ones I1m sure. After the Sir Alex Ferguson's area they cannot sign good players. Yes, I understand that Shaw or Mikhtaryan, Young, Rojo are good players, but they are not on the same level as the Red Devils. In my opinion Mourinho is not a high level coach as well. So I have no idea what are they waiting for. The Red Devils wiithout Sir Alex means nothing.
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sharpe
7 years ago
Wow, Mourinho's never been diplomatic but that's just stupid from his side, I mean to criticize his own players in so tough period for the club. That doesn't helping anybody, Smalling is a fighter on the field and Shaw had so many really hard injuries despite been so young that he had spent most of his career injured...
Wow, Mourinho's never been diplomatic but that's just stupid from his side, I mean to criticize his own players in so tough period for the club. That doesn't helping anybody, Smalling is a fighter on the field and Shaw had so many really hard injuries despite been so young that he had spent most of his career injured so far. And even if there's something which Mourinho should say to them it wouldn't happen in front of the media but in the locker room,. Do I have to even mention all the buys they did in the last seasons and that Mourinho suppose to have one of the largest squads in the PL and he really shouldn't force anybody return to play injured. Sir Alex Ferguson always supported and defended his players from the media and maybe that's the biggest difference between a great and a....decent manager, yeah he's nothing special!
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