MOURINHO: SUBSTANCE IS MY STYLE
Reds pilloried, rivals praised for same tactics moans Jose
Tottenham did not score against Man Utd, so give my players a bit of credit
AT first, he did not want to comment.
Then he said he should not, even though he felt he could.
But in the end, Jose Mourinho was unable to stop himself hitting back at the criticism he puts results before enter tainment at Manchester United, because it is an accusation which irks him so much.
Mourinho cannot understand why he is pilloried for his style when other clubs are showered with praise for playing in the same way.
The United boss feels it is unfair and is baffled by the negative comments when his team are second in the Premier League, having lost just once, and on the verge of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in four years.
That was why he held his index finger up to his lips at the final whistle following the win over Tottenham on Saturday, to tell the snipers to be quiet.
“I don’t want to comment,” was his reply when asked if the criticism was unfair.
“I don’t want to comment because if I comment, I am going to do a job that is not my job.
“Sometimes I feel I could or I should, but other times I cool down and I think I shouldn’t and I am not going to do that.
“I know there is a different way of analysing things for this reason or that reason.
“Similar performances for some clubs are magic, are examples of brilliant tactics and amazing attitude by the players, while for other teams the same kind of p e r f o rma n c e becomes conservative, becomes negative, becomes so many adjectives.”
Mourinho had Tottenham in mind as he complained about being the victim of those double standards.
It is understood he is bemused by the plaudits heaped on Mauricio Pochettino and his Tottenham players when they have not won so much as a brass button.
Yet he, despite lifting the Europa League and the League Cup last season, is constantly scrutinised.
Spurs may have beaten Real Madrid and Liverpool, but Mourinho was quick to point out who snuffed them out at Old Trafford.
“Honestly just as an example, Tottenham beat Liverpool 4- 1, Tottenham beat Real Madrid 3-1,” said the Portuguese.
“But Tottenham didn’t score against Manchester United, so at least give my players the little bit of credit they deserve.”
Mourinho’s tactical approach on his latest return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday will be analysed, especially because Chelsea appear vulnerable.
He was at pains to play down the significance of going back to the Bridge, claiming his history with the Blues has little bearing on the fixture.
“It isn’t a big thing,” he said. “It’s normal, it’s football life. One day you are in one club, the next day you are in another club.
“It’s a big thing because it’s a big match and the opponent is the champion. It’s one of these matches between the top teams in the country, but from the emotional point of view, it’s just one more game.”
Mourinho managed a moment of humour in between bashing his critics when asked if his players have grown since their 4- 0 drubbing at Chelsea a year ago.
“Maybe Rashford two centimetres, Scott McTominay three,” he replied.
He is due in court today in Spain to answer charges he owes £ 2.9million in unpaid taxes from his time as Real Madrid boss.
He insisted the case is not a distraction as he prepares to face Chelsea.
“No,” he said. “It’s just a change of normal training time because I can’t be here in the morning so I have to change the timings, just that.”