SUBSTANCE OVER STYLE Despite criticism, M our in ho sticks to his guns
Ahead of Champions League clash against Sevilla, United manager says winning is the only thing that matters to him
MANCHESTER:Most clubs would be delighted to be sitting second in the Premier League, into the FA Cup quarterfinals and on the verge of a return to the last eight of the Champions League.
However, Jose Mourinho is learning of the exacting demands of being Manchester United manager with incessant questions over not just results, but the manner in which they are obtained.
“If people don’t think we deserved it, I don’t care,” Mourinho said after United defeated rivals Liverpool 2-1 on Saturday despite enjoying just 32 per cent possession.
The problem for Mourinho is not just United’s tradition for winning while playing on the front foot under great European Cup-winning managers Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson, but that United are no longer even the best team in Manchester.
Manchester City enjoy a 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand. Moreover, the attractive style implemented by long-time adversary Pep Guardiola is far more in keeping with that United fans are used to seeing than the fare offered up by Mourinho’s tactics.
However, with City seemingly just a few weeks away from sealing the title and having already booked their place in the Champions League quarterfinals, the pressure is on United to join them in Friday’s draw when they host Sevilla on Tuesday.
The last-16 tie is delicately balanced at 0-0 after Mourinho resorted to type by concentrating on obtaining a clean sheet at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan three weeks ago.
The decision to not go looking for an away goal against a side that has lost heavily to the likes of Spartak Moscow, Eibar and Real Betis this season will come back to haunt Mourinho if United fail to progress. To do so, Mourinho must find the right blend between attack and defence.
Mourinho’s decision to batten down the hatches against Liverpool in the final 20 minutes drew boos from the fans. “The fans they can do what they want. I’m not upset at all with that reaction,” insisted Mourinho.