Can’s anger at Mourinho’s ‘disrespect’

LIVERPOOL midfielder Emre Can has criticised Manchester United over their treatment of his former Germany and Bayern Munich team-mate, Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Schweinsteiger was allowed to train again with the first-team squad last week after being exiled to work with the Under-23 side when Jose Mourinho arrived in the summer.

The Portuguese said it was a “human decision” to bring the 121-time capped, World Cup and Champions League winner back into the fold, though it’s most likely aimed at ensuring the player is fit to move in January.

Can, who spent his early days at Bayern and in the national squad alongside Schweinsteiger, believes his former mentor has been disrespected.

“I know him very well,” says Can. “You can say he’s a legend.

“I don’t know what’s happened but I think they don’t have too much respect for him.

“It’s a big pity because he’s a very good guy and he’s always a gentleman.

“When I came up to the first team at Bayern he was the first one who came up to me and said, ‘If you need something, come to me’.

“I’m very thankful for that and I’ll never forget it.”

The Schweinsteiger situation is just one of the issues to have contributed to a turbulent few months for Mourinho – in contrast to the flying start made by Can’s Liverpool team.

The 22-year-old isn’t afraid to declare winning the Premier League is the big target this season.

“If you play for Liverpool, it’s always the target to win silverware,” he says as he prepares for today’s home game against Watford.

“Of course we want to win the title. Everyone knows we have a very strong squad.

“We want to make history but that comes from hard work, belief and confidence.

“There’s a long way to go. We have to look, not to tomorrow, but today.

“It’s not nice to play against us. I know because I used to play against Jurgen Klopp’s teams when he was at Dortmund. It was never nice to play against them.

“I didn’t know him personally then but I knew he was a little bit crazy – positive crazy!

“His teams counter-pressed. If you had the ball, the opponent was coming and you’d have to play quickly. That’s what teams are thinking about us now.

“In pre-season he said the target was to be the fittest team in the League. If you look at the statistics, we are the best for high intensity.

“It takes time to play that style but we know exactly what he wants from us.”

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