Mourinho smiles at last
MIAMI. - Jose Mourinho praised the “phenomenal” efforts of his Manchester United players on their tour of the US after an encouraging 2-1 win over Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera gave the Red Devils a win over the European champions in their final US tour fixture at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, ahead of the upcoming 2018/2019 English Premiership season.
Mourinho who had been a downcast figure throughout the tour heaped praise on the attitude of his squad that was missing a number of key players due to the World Cup. “In relation to the match, the result doesn’t change anything,” Mourinho said.
“My professional players were amazing all pre-season because they know we play against good teams, against good opponents.” We have just a few (senior) players here, lots of kids. Our kids are really, really young because the team of the older ones, on the pitch today we had a couple of kids who were 16 years old.
“People like Herrera, Bailly, Darmian, Mata, all these guys, were phenomenal during the whole pre-season, playing almost every minute of every game.
“So the game today, if we win 2-1, we lose 2-1 or draw 2-2, it doesn’t change anything but of course I know the players and I know I can count on them.
“I know that these guys are amazing professionals and I know that they give everything for the club, for the prestige of the club. I know it would have not been nice to come here today and lose 5-1 or 6-1 against Real Madrid. They were phenomenal and Karen (Shotbolt, press officer) knows that they were also phenomenal outside of the pitch with lots of commercial commitments, lots of meets and greets, lots of work with foundations. The guys were absolutely phenomenal.”
Mourinho has cut a miserable figure during their two week trip to the United States, lashing out at a lack of transfer activity while reserving stinging criticism for a number of first team players.
But seeing his side establish a two goal lead in the first half was encouraging, as was holding Real at bay after Karim Benzema’s goal just before the interval gave the Spanish side hope of mounting a comeback.
“I didn’t learn anything (from this tour),” said Mourinho. “I know what Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez are.
“I know the kids are very young and need time to grow up, I know my players gave everything and in the last 15 mins we are dead and they bring on Toni Kroos and Asensio and Isco and I thought we wouldn’t resist but we did.
“That’s the spirit we need because our first two or three weeks in the Premier League are going to be really hard for us because we didn’t prepare for that.”
The Portuguese has been without 12 key players for most of the tour with many enjoying an extended break following the World Cup. In front of 64 141 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, United were finishing off their pre-season preparations against a Real Madrid side just starting theirs.
La Liga starts a week later than the Premier League so new Real manager Julen Lopetegui was able to name the likes of Gareth Bale to start while Germany star Toni Kroos was on the bench.
Spanish international David de Gea was making his first start since returning from the extra time given to him following the World Cup and he was almost beaten in the eighth minute - Bale starting a move which saw Benzema fire just wide from close range.
Brazilian Fred, who was signed earlier this summer for £52 million, was making his first United start and looked comfortable in his new surroundings.
And on 18 minutes, United were ahead. Herrera fed Matteo Darmian and teed up Sanchez who clinically swept the ball home. It was Manchester United’s first real opportunity - and it was taken superbly.
“Alexis Sanchez is fresh, the way the man is running, I think he is in a fantastic condition,” said Mourinho.
The second goal which arrived on 27 minutes was equally impressive.
Darmian lifted the ball to Mata and once the Spaniard had regained his composure he crossed for Sanchez who was able to divert the ball into the path of Herrera who made no mistake.
Bale curled wide soon after but just before the interval, Benzema tapped in an excellent Theo Hernandez cross to give the vast amounts of Madrid fans in Miami something to cheer. Bale, a one-time target for Mourinho, was withdrawn for the second half as Lopetegui shuffled his pack and one of the substitutes, Martin Odegaard should have levelled on 56 minutes when he blazed over the bar from eight yards.
The Norwegian saw a free-kick saved by De Gea late on but United held firm to lift Mourinho’s mood. It was their first victory in regulation play this pre-season - AC Milan were defeated on penalties in Los Angeles last week. - AFP.