Players shock at distant Mourinho
JOSE MOURINHO has been avoiding his players at Carrington’s training ground as he struggles to turn around his fortunes at Manchester United.
The players have remarked to each other how the 53-year-old manager is accessing his private office –— the same one used by Sir Alex Ferguson — by a side entrance rather than walking through the club canteen where he would have to mingle with the squad. Although it has been business as usual on the training pitch where he addresses his squad as a group, there is increasing puzzlement towards Mourinho’s stand-offish behaviour elsewhere and his refusal to try and develop any individual relationships.
Ferguson used to walk through the canteen to his desk so he could joke with his squad and keep a close eye on morale. Mourinho takes United to Swansea City today having failed to win any of his last four Premier League games or even score in the last three. He will serve a one-match touchline ban at the Liberty Stadium after protesting to referee Mark Clattenburg at last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Burnley.
His captain Wayne Rooney is desperate to convince Mourinho to pick him more regularly. The 31-year-old is tied to the club until 2019 including a one year option.
He has been frustrated by his loss of form and the fact he has lost his place.
Rooney’s fall from grace has resulted in interest from Everton, plus clubs in China and the MLS. However, Rooney has no desire to move at this stage.
He is just three goals short of Sir Bobby Charlton’s alltime United goal scoring record and wants to set a new standard for the club.