Mourinho will always be admired by players: Vidic
has riches of talent in its ranks, Manchester United were completely outplayed by their opponents and were lucky to come away with a draw.
United fans more is the defensive approach adopted by manager Jose Mourinho, who was quite happy after the match with his team’s display. They were playing so deep in their half that most of the time Alexis Sanchez, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku found themselves surrounded by Sevilla players and with no one to pass the ball to. Scott probably looked like a man with dozens and dozens of matches in the Champions League when this is only the second (start).”
numerous chances, Sevilla were the better of the teams on the night. They looked like they have finally settled under new coach Vincenzo Montella, putting in just that kind of display which had fans applauding.
worked for each other and were confident on the ball. And if not for David de Gea’s saves, they might have scored as well.
go down well with the experts is Montella’s decision to bench club’s top scorer Wissam Ben Yedder. Many felt that Ben Yedder would have made the difference as he has been clinical in front of the goal this season. MUMBAI: Jose Mourinho will always have the admiration and respect of his players according to Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic, in light of the manager’s alleged rift with star midfielder Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman’s omissions from United’s starting 11 in two of their last three games has been a matter of consternation over the past few weeks.
draw was United’s first in Europe in 28 games.
last held 0-0 at home in Europe 63 matches ago.
scored in 24 European home games in a row before this match.
only 13 goals in their last 20 European games against Spanish clubs.
again put in a spectacular display as United came away with a 0-0 draw.
two breathtaking saves to deny Steven N'zonzi and Luis Muriel at the end of the first half at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, denying Sevilla a lead to take to England for next month's return leg.
In my prematch interview I had four questions and three were about Paul, and Paul was not even playing. That’s a bit strange
JOSE MOURINHO, On being grilled for not starting Pogba
“I think a football player has much more power now than before. Football is changing because it is more of a business. It is a bit difficult for managers to establish themselves if they do not win trophies,” said Vidic on the sidelines of the Football Movement, a meet-up co-hosted by the Premier League and India On Track. “But, of course, Mourinho is a different case. He has already won a lot of trophies and will always have the respect and admiration of all the players. No question about that,” the Serbian added.
“I think for the younger generation to start as a manager is a bit difficult, but for Mourinho I don’t think it is a problem at all… and for (Pep) Guardiola and all those who have won trophies.”
Vidic, who joined United from Spartak Moscow in the summer of 2005, winning five Premier League trophies and one Champions League title in his eight and a half years at Old Trafford, praised the team’s latest acquisi- tion, Alexis Sanchez.
“I think he is a top player with a lot of quality. He has made a difference in the Premier League over the past few years. Personally, I would have loved for him to have joined earlier, to travel the pre-season with the club. But we did sign him in January, and he will surely contribute towards fighting for trophies, including the Champions League this season,” said Vidic.
“The competition in the team is also important. He has been at Barcelona in the Champions League and he has experience of that competition as well.”
Centre-back Chris Smalling has been at the receiving end of criticism for his inability to hold the position.
Defending the 28-year-old, Vidic said: “I have played with Chris for two or three years. When I came he had just started out, but he was still very talented and physically strong. He has all the abilities you should have as a defender.”