MOURINHO MOANS AS UNITED STYLE RAPPED
RASHFORD GETS LUCKY FOR VICTORY AGAINST BENFICA, AS BOSS HAS A BLAST AGAIN
Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United’s resolute defending is only considered a “crime” because he does not bleat about injuries like other managers.
Despite being two points off Premier League leaders Manchester City and already on the brink of reaching the Champions League knockout phase, there is a lingering air of negativity.
Mourinho’s tactics were widely condemned after Saturday’s drab 0-0 draw at Liverpool and things hardly improved in Lisbon, where United again held firm at the back to secure a 1-0 win against Benfica last night.
It was the ninth clean sheet in 13 matches and the Reds boss cannot understand the negativity over his style.
“Not that I read it a lot, but sometimes when I read the press – not only English but Portuguese – I feel that sometimes defending properly it is seen as a crime,” Mourinho said. “But it is not.
“That’s why we controlled the game because we defended properly.”
Later asked if United were unfairly treated when onlookers talk about their defensive approach, he said: “You know, with other managers, with other players, I’m pretty sure that, yes (they get an easier ride), but that’s not the problem for us. “And there is another situation, maybe I’m guilty of it: I never speak about injuries.” Obviously having a pop at Chelsea’s Antonio Conte, he added: “Other managers, they cry, they cry, they cry when some player is injured. I don’t cry. “I think the way to do it is to ignore the players that are injured, is to focus on the players that are available. it is to give confidence to the players that are available. But if I want to moan and cry like the others, I can cry for the next five minutes. (Zlatan) Ibrahimovc, (Paul) Pogba, (Marouane) Fellaini, Marcos Rojo – I can cry but I don’t, so we do it with what we have.
“You know, we went to Liverpool with two midfield players and nothing else, not even on the bench. Today it happened the same. We brought a kid (Scott McTominay), like Benfica does, because I don’t have another solution.
“But, again, you know, 12 matches, 10 victories, two draws, nine clean sheets. “We are not bad.” Mourinho was just as strong when it came to defending teenage Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar.
The Belgian, 18, became the youngest keeper to start in a Champions League match, but his night ended in embarrassment as Marcus Rashford’s free-kick caught him out –standing too far off his line and then carrying the ball into goal as he tried to backtrack.
“He is a phenomenon. He is amazing,” Mourinho said.
“He was unlucky – and I think he’ll never concede another goal like this.