Mourinho launches scathing Scholes retort
LIVERPOOL — Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has slammed club legend Paul Scholes for his criticism of midfielder Paul Pogba in his role as a TV pundit.
Scholes singled out Pogba, United’s record signing, after his anonymous performance in the weekend stalemate with Southampton.
But the French international was far more impressive in the 2-0 victory at Everton on New Year’s Day, which ended a run of three consecutive United draws and put the Red Devils 12 points behind leader Manchester City.
The victory prompted Mourinho to hit back at club legend Scholes, one of the storied “Class of 92” United academy graduates who played a key part in many of the biggest successes of Alex Ferguson’s reign.
“I think the only thing Paul Scholes does is criticize,” said Mourinho. “I don’t think he comments, I think he criticizes, which is a different thing.
“Not every one of us has to be phenomenal like he was as a player. That does not mean that we all have to be phenomenal.”
Scholes accused Pogba of coasting through games and failing to make the sort of impact his $120 million transfer fee demands.
But Mourinho staunchly defended Pogba and insinuated 43-year-old Scholes’ attitude was fueled by jealousy.
“Paul tries to do his best all the time,” he said. “Sometimes he plays very well, sometimes he plays well, sometimes he doesn’t play so well.
“It’s not Paul’s fault that he made much more money than Paul Scholes. It’s just the way football is.
“I think Scholes will be in history as a phenomenal player, not as a pundit. I prefer to look at him as a phenomenal player that gave so much to the club that I am proud to represent.”
The United manager, who saw his side win at Everton thanks to superb goals from Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard, both of which were set up by Pogba, also believes that Scholes has a desire to break into management.
The former England international recently claimed that his application for a job managing United’s under-23 team was turned down. His application to manage third-tier Oldham Athletic was also unsuccessful.
“If Paul one day decides to be a manager I wish that he can be 25 percent as successful as myself,” said Mourinho.
“50 percent of that is 12.5 silverware, 25 percent is around six (trophies). If he’s 25 percent, he’ll be quite happy.”
Mourinho tempered his criticism with plenty of compliments, describing Scholes as “one of the best I’ve ever seen playing in midfield”.
“The prestige of this club is based on people like him,” he said.
‘Kings of rock and roll’
Scholes is the latest of the “Class of 92” to have voiced criticism of United under Mourinho, following negative remarks from Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville — a point not lost on Mourinho who mocked his detractors as “the kings of rock and roll”.
The Portuguese said: “I think the performance was really good so maybe I am lucky this time, and the kings of rock and roll who say I was under-performing last match say, this time, I performed.
“I think they would love to be here. They would love to be at the club and that’s a prob- lem I cannot resolve.”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made a similar criticism of former Gunners striker Thierry Henry on Sunday. The Frenchman claimed the Arsenal squad was riven by divisions over the attitude of Chilean star Alexis Sanchez, with Wenger biting back by saying: “I don’t listen to what he (Henry) says.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho revealed that Romelu Lukaku, who was stretchered off early in the draw with Southampton, did not suffer a concussion and will be available for United’s FA Cup tie with Derby County on Friday.