Matic warns team-mates to up game for ‘difficult’ Jose

NEMANJA MATIC admits it is ‘difficult’ working under Jose Mourinho and has warned his Manchester United team-mates they must meet the challenges laid down by their manager. Matic was one of only three players, along with Romelu Lukaku and David de Gea, to be spared blame as Mourinho ramps up the pressure on his under-achieving stars. The Serbia midfielder won the Premier League title under Mourinho at Chelsea in 2015 and knows exactly what the United boss expects from his squad after rejoining him at Old Trafford in a £40million deal last summer. ‘It is very difficult to work with him because he always wants more and more,’ said Matic after starring in United’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Brighton. ‘Even if you win the league he wants to win again next season. He is like this and the players need to be ready for that. ‘He is special because he wants to win always. You can see when we lose a game he cannot accept that. Probably that’s why he has won more than 20 trophies. ‘At this high level, at Manchester United and where I used to play at Chelsea, the players need to be ready for that because the pressure is big. ‘Everyone expects you to win every game. Obviously, it is not possible, but supporters always expect. ‘It doesn’t matter if you are tired, supporters want high-quality football. It is normal.’ Matic seems to thrive in the environment created by Mourinho, and it is no surprise that he has been singled out for praise by the manager after establishing himself as United’s key midfield player this season. ‘I like it when the manager always wants better and better, so you have to improve always,’ he added. ‘I like this kind of work, this kind of relationship. I’m happy. ‘He respects what I’m doing every day, not only in the game, but in the training sessions. I’m happy with that and I will continue like this.’ An FA Cup winner with Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea in 2010, Matic admits that lifting the trophy again in May would not atone completely for a season that has seen United fall well behind Manchester City in the Premier League and exit the Champions League in the last-16 stage at the hands of Sevilla. Asked if it would represent a successful season, he said: ‘I think no. If we win the FA Cup it is good, but not perfect. ‘You have four competitions in the season. If you win one, for me, it is not enough. ‘In the Premier League, when you are in the first four, this is not perfect, but it’s good to play in the Champions League next season. ‘If you win the FA Cup, I cannot say it is a successful season, but it’s a good season. ‘This win gives us a little more confidence. The FA Cup is very important in England and we will fight to the end.’