ONE FOR THE ROAD
Mourinho’s players reckon he’s a dead man walking
JOSE MOURINHO has lost a growing number of Manchester United players who feel he is finished at Old Trafford.
They have lost faith in the manager and believe his departure is inevitable.
A source close to the dressing room said some stars are hurt by his repeated criticism of individual players and feel he has undermined team spirit and confidence.
They feel inhibited because the manager has created such a negative atmosphere.
Mourinho has clashed several times with Paul Pogba, stripping him of the vicecaptaincy, and has criticised Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez and Antonio Valencia for their attitude. Some of the
players feel Mourinho is too quick to blame others while he refuses to accept responsibility.
The source says the players are trying their best, despite appearances, to turn things around but that they feel Mourinho’s fate is sealed.
Paul Ince accused the players of wanting Mourinho to get sacked and slammed them for their attitude.
The United legend said: “It baffles me that Manchester United players are choosing when they want to put effort into playing for their club.
“It doesn’t sit right with me that it looks like they can’t be bothered. It looks to me as though they’re not interested in playing for Jose Mourinho any more.
“Some players want United to get beat just so there’s pressure on Mourinho to be sacked. You have to question the attitude of the players.”
But fellow Old Trafford hero Ryan Giggs is backing Mourinho to keep his job.
The Wales manager said: “I haven’t changed my view on Jose – I don’t think he should go. Where would Manchester United go?
“They are going through a tough time at the moment but change now and you will be in the same position in a year or two. I believe he should keep his job.
“You can’t say any of the United players are playing to their full potential. They aren’t and that’s something they need to address both individually and collectively.
“If results and performances continue it will be hard work but I still believe you shouldn’t just sack the manager because we’ll be at this same stage in a year or two.
“Even Sir Alex struggled for the first couple of years. He did an amazing job managing all those different personalities and characters but it’s not easy, especially when you’re at United.”