JOSE: DON’T BLAME ME
But he says slump is ‘unacceptable’
JOSE MOURINHO has said Manchester United’s slump is unacceptable but insists he is not totally to blame.
Struggling United host Newcastle today looking to avoid a fifth game without a win at Old Trafford for the first time in 29 years.
It is a must-win match for manager Mourinho with his job on the line and United languishing in 10th place in the Premier League, without a win at Old Trafford since the opening day of the season on August 10.
The self-titled Special One admitted four games without a win at home was unacceptable for a club of United’s stature. “Yes, I accept,” said Mourinho, but added: “Sometimes things are not
are. The best way is that when people arrive at the stadium, they are going to see a football game and enjoy watching both sides.
“The best way is that we should not need the police. Why should the police need to be there? For what? We arrive there, both sides, to play a Premier League game.
“Why should our fans have to protect our bus? Are you kidding me? Fans should be going just to watch the game.
“I would like the police to go home at 4.30pm with their families, drinking a beer and loving the show, that is what they should do. But that depends on the Liverpool people, not on Manchester City.”
A boost for City as they bid for their first Anfield win since May 2003 is that Kevin De Bruyne is in line for a sensational return in the game between the Premier League’s top two.
The Belgium playmaker has been out for most of the season with knee ligament damage.
He had been expected to be out until November but joined in training yesterday and could play a part tomorrow, although probably from the bench.
Guardiola said: “He is training with us. We will see if he can play.”
Left-back Benjamin Mendy could also return after missing six games with a bruised metatarsal.
Apart from the bus damage, City have a score to settle on the pitch with Liverpool, who beat them three times out of four last season. They ended their unbeaten league record and dumped them out of the Champions League on a 5-1 aggregate scoreline.