Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Mourinho hits back at critics as United edge win
JOSE Mourinho made his case for the defence and took aim at his Premier League rivals after injury-hit Manchester United edged closer to the Champions League knock-out phase.
Despite being two points off league leaders Manchester City and already on the brink of qualifying for the next round in Europe, there is a lingering air of negativity.
Mourinho’s tactics were widely condemned after Saturday’s drab scoreless draw at Liverpool and things hardly improved in Lisbon, where United again held firm at the back to secure a 1-0 win against Benfica.
It was the ninth clean sheet in 13 matches and the Reds boss cannot understand the negativity surrounding his style.
“Not that I read it a lot, but sometimes when I read the press, not only English but Portuguese, I feel that sometimes defending properly it is seen as a crime,” Mourinho said. “But it is not.
“That’s why we controlled the game because we defended properly.”
Later asked if United were unfairly treated when onlookers talk about their defensive approach, he said: “You know, with other managers, with other players, I’m pretty sure that yes (they get an easier ride) but that’s not the problem for us.
“And there is another situation, maybe I’m guilty of it: I never speak about injuries.
“Other managers, they cry, they cry, they cry when some player is injured. I don’t cry.
“I think the way to do it is to ignore the players that are injured, is to focus on the players that are available.”