ROOT CAUSE

United fans respond to Mourinho’s criticism

LONDON

“The decline in atmosphere is by no means limited to Old Trafford. It’s an issue affecting clubs throughout the country. And it’s certainly not an issue specific to Manchester United supporters — our away support is widely acknowledged, by fair minded fans, as the best in the country.”

Speaking on Saturday, Mourinho was asked about new signing Alexis Sanchez before branching off to discuss the crowd.

“He played only three (matches since joining from Arsenal) and the first at Old Trafford, and I think Old Trafford, in spite of being a quiet stadium, the pitch is big, the grass is nice and obviously the players feel very comfortable playing here,” he said.

When then asked to explain his comments, Mourinho replied: “It’s not Portsmouth.

“I remember Portsmouth — such a small stadium, the atmosphere was absolutely incredible. In here, the atmosphere is a bit quiet and there is not very (much enthusiasm). But the players like to play at home.”

Earlier this season, Mourinho said United supporters were “very quiet” during the 2-0 win over Leicester in August.

He also, after the 1-0 win over Tottenham in October, expressed his unhappiness with United fans over what he regarded as unfair treatment of Romelu Lukaku.

MUST added that a breakdown in the relationship between the fans and the club’s owners may be part of the problem.

“We believe that atmosphere is primarily dependent on the perceived relationship between fans and club — including the degree of supporter ownership and engagement,” the group added.

“In the absence of any immi- nent changes in the former we therefore concentrate on other areas where we can have an impact in the short to medium term.”

Meanwhile, United are in advanced talks to sign Justin Kluivert this summer.

Mourinho has been tracking the 18-year-old’s development for the past year and is keen to sign the promising winger in the summer once the transfer window reopens.

According to The Mirror, the Red Devils are ready to agree a fee of around £10million (RM55 million) with various add-ons to sign the teenager.

United were eyeing up a move for Kluivert in the January window after Sportsmail reported the Manchester club’s interest in December.

The interest comes as no surprise given the history between Mourinho and the Kluiverts.

The Portuguese boss has known the Ajax attacker since he was a child after Justin used to attend Barcelona games to watch his dad, Patrick, play.

Mourinho was an assistant coach at the Catalan giants during Patrick’s spell in Barcelona and has always kept tabs on the Dutch youngster’s career.

Kluivert was also pictured speaking to Mourinho in the aftermath of the Premier League side’s Europa League victory over Ajax in Stockholm in May.

Kluivert said on their encounter: “He just liked to see me. Mourinho knows me from the time that I was a little boy and my father played at Barcelona when Mourinho worked there as an assistant trainer.”

Justin made his senior debut for Ajax at the age of 17 and has made 42 appearances in all competitions for the first-team since, scoring eight goals. Agencies