Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Stevie’s G-force as boss is unstoppable... just like when he ruled in Istanbul
I’VE defended Jose
Mourinho a lot in these columns – and will continue to do so, because his record speaks for itself.
He’s a manager who deserves respect for what he has achieved. He’s also someone you’d be stupid to write off, because he’s shown so many times he has the answers when it comes to sorting out teams.
But I didn’t much like his reaction this week to the defeat by Juventus.
It’s one thing to be outplayed – and United were pretty dire in the European game at Old Trafford.
It’s another thing to suggest you’re a million miles behind the Italians though. If that’s the case, he’s got serious problems, as Italian football is not all that at this moment in time.
Juve have got a good team, don’t get me wrong. But on a different planet to Manchester United? Don’t make me laugh.
They are a team Spurs should have battered in the Champions League last season and were outplayed by the English club for all but a few minutes over two legs in the last-16.
United should be at that level, and the boss has no right suggesting they’re not. He has no right suggesting they went into the group, before a ball was kicked, hoping to nick second place.
But you never know what Jose’s up to. He likes to play games to provoke reactions, which often works – as Luke Shaw suggests.
Yet he’s playing with fire by seeming to raise the white flag. He even seemed to say United are similar to Everton, before today’s game.
In terms of money spent, that’s nonsense.
Mourinho (above) is a top boss. You just wish he’d concentrate on proving it, instead of playing games.