Jose’s mocking knows no bounds

JOSE MOURINHO’S interview with Portuguese newspaper Tribuna Expresso gave a fascinating insight into his preparations for the Europa League final against Ajax. The scale of his pragmatism was on view but it was hard to argue with his tactical acumen. It also gave another glimpse of the change that has come over Mourinho (left) when it comes to criticising players in public.

In his first spell at Chelsea, he never did it. Wounded by infighting at Real Madrid, he is now much more willing to throw men to the wolves. This time it was Chris Smalling in the firing line.

‘With your feet,’ he told Smalling before the final, ‘we’re for sure not playing out from the back.’

Smalling is tipped for a move away from Old Trafford.