Jose Mourinho has been hitting back at critics who say his Manchester United team are too defensive and aren’t good to watch.
Does he have a point?
United are second in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Manchester City, and are on the verge of securing qualification to the knockout round of the UEFA Champions League. So, results haven’t been bad but with bleak displays against Liverpool and Tottenham in recent weeks, the critics have been lining up to take a shot at Mourinho.
Ahead of United’s trip to Mourinho’s former team Chelsea this Sunday (Watch live, 11:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com) the Portuguese coach
As for heading back to Chelsea, the team he’s lead to three Premier League titles in the past, Mourinho admitted it is a little strange to manage at Stamford Bridge in the opposition dugout.
“I played there with Inter, twice with Manchester United. I have to admit it is a little bit different. In the end, I want to win like I did with Inter,” Mourinho said. “They want to win like they did last season. It is just one more day. In a couple of years it will be more natural. In four or five years no-one will remember I was Chelsea manager and it becomes absolutely normal.”
Mourinho suffered defeats at Chelsea in the Premier League and FA Cup last season, with the former a 4-0 drubbing as he clashed with Antonio Conte at the end of the game after demanding more respect following his celebrations.
United’s manager says it is just “one more game” but with Chelsea struggling after their 3-0 hammering at AS Roma in midweek, the magnitude of this game cannot be overlooked as both teams try to make ground on Man City atop the PL table.
“It’s a big thing because it’s a big match and because it’s a big opponent,” Mourinho said. “They are the champions and because 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.”