De Gea says Jose inspires incredible comebacks
JOSE Mourinho has been ‘really good at transmitting his winning mentality’ to the United squad following a series of remarkable comebacks, according to goalkeeper David de Gea.
In four of their last 10 games, including Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final win, the Reds have come from behind to win in a fashion that would not have been out of place at the high point of Sir Alex Ferguson’s glorious reign at the club.
Chelsea, Crystal Palace, City and Spurs have all gone ahead in games against United in the last two months only for Mourinho’s side to somehow recover to win the game. So how do they do it? “We’ve got a great manager,” De Gea told Premier League Productions.
“He’s very experienced, he’s won everything there is to win in the game. What he is really good at is transmitting his winning mentality to the group.
“However, at the end of the day, it’s down to ourselves – the players on the field. It is us who make the saves, create the chances and score the goals. So, as a group, we’ve got to get that level of consistency and quality throughout the season.”
De Gea was the only United player named in the PFA team of the year this season and is the hot favourite to win the club’s player of the year award for a record fourth time after another brilliant campaign. WORK has already begun at United on how to close the gap on City and Jose Mourinho is expected to spend big when the transfer window opens next month.
And while the Reds need new faces in the squad if they’re going to overthrow Pep Guardiola’s side next season, the United boss has arguably already completed one of his best pieces of business.
At a press conference before the Sevilla game in March, Michael Carrick announced what many had already predicted – that he would retire at the end of the season.
And while his announcement spells the end of his 12-year Old Trafford playing career, the next chapter of his United journey is just beginning – signing up to the coaching team.
“Yes. It’s kind of been sorted out,” Carrick replied when asked if he would be given a coaching role. “We’re still talking about it, to be honest, so there’s nothing totally confirmed as yet. But it’s looking likely, yes.”
The exact nature of Carrick’s role is still to be confirmed but Mourinho needs to keep him close and in and among the first team.
The former England international has been linked with taking over from Ricky Sbragia as U23s manager after United’s youngsters were relegated from the first tier of Premier League 2.
Carrick’s experience would be invaluable to United’s next generation and he could succeed where Sbragia has failed but, the 36-yearold is far more valuable to the club in and around the senior set-up.
Since his announcement, Carrick has begun taking his place on the bench among Mourinho’s staff and he’s already having an impact.
Paul Pogba explained how Carrick inspired him in training before the Manchester derby and the midfielder rallied the team at half-time in the dressing room at the Etihad after Mourinho’s side found themselves 2-0 down at the break.
“Michael Carrick showed me a video, it helped me a lot with this [equalising goal],” Pogba told Sky Sports after the derby.
“Every time after training or every time after a game, he talks to me he comes and he says do it this way.”
And, it’s not just Pogba who Carrick’s been helping, Chris Smalling explained how he is still viewed as the figurehead of the team.
“With Michael I think it doesn’t feel too weird that he’s going into the coaching because he is such our figurehead of the team,” he told ESPN.
“I mean, our team is getting younger and younger, but Michael is the standout leader of our team.”
At times this season that is exactly what United have lacked – a leader. And Carrick can continue to play that role even if it is from the sidelines.
Reports earlier this season, especially after the FA Cup game against Brighton, suggested Mourinho was at risk of losing the dressing room.
While the likes of Pogba insist there is no issue with the United boss, Carrick is the sort of aide the Portuguese needs alongside him to defuse any potential problems.
The fact Carrick is liked within the dressing room coupled with his winning mentality and title winning experience means he’s invaluable to Mourinho.
The U23s might be looking to go in a new direction next season but Carrick’s not the man for the job because he could prove to be the secret weapon to lead next season’s title charge.