In a news conference prior to tonight’s Champions League fixture with Valencia, Jose Mourinho talked about the current state of affairs at the club.
Jose Mourinho responds to Luke Shaw comments
Manchester United beat Young Boys in the Champions League, but followed up the win with a home draw with Wolves, a penalty shootout loss to Derby in the Carabao Cup and then a loss to West Ham United in London. Prior to United’s next CL fixture, Jose Mourinho reflected on Luke Shaw’s comments following the defeat to West Ham United, one of the worst performances by any Premier League team this year. Shaw said the players were to blame and the manager partially agrees.
“…I like that perspective but it’s not the whole story. It’s all of us. Everybody in the club has a role to play, from the kit man and the nutritionist to the manager. Everyone has a job to do and when we lose everyone should take responsibility.”
Mourinho on players’ desire: “Some care more than others”
Mourinho also addressed the lack of desire among the players, something he had to deal with during his last spell in Chelsea. He refuted the notion of players underperforming intentionally in order to see him sacked, although he did admit all of them react differently to adversity.
“Every player is different; no two are the same,”
“I see some people upset and some who don’t look like they lost a game. But in the little two training sessions we have had since the last defeat I would say everything is normal, there is a great desire to work and play.”
When asked whether his players care enough about playing for him and for United, Mourinho’s response was:
“I think some care more than others.”
Will Woodward sack Mourinho?
The line of questions culminated when he was asked whether he will be sacked. His answer was:
“I don’t think that,”
He then went to say he did what he could to improve the things at the club which depended on him, but the final results were a collective responsibility.
Mourinho was then asked whether he had spoken to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, to what he replied:
“I’m not asking who you speak to. That’s a private matter.”
Chris Sutton: “Mourinho wants the sack”
In the meantime, former Norwich and Blackburn forward Chris Sutton believes Mourinho wants to leave.
“I suspect he wants the sack,”
“He’s an intelligent guy. Why would he want to keep carrying on and on by being provocative?”
Perhaps he does, perhaps he doesn’t. What we do know is Manchester United fans are suffering right now.
