Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at his Manchester United players, suggesting that some are not giving their all to the cause.
The Red Devils have slipped to the middle of the Premier League standings after seven games, with a 3-1 loss at West Ham at the weekend the latest result to go against the Portuguese.
Critics have suggested that certain players – notably Paul Pogba – could be giving more to the cause.
Mourinho did not single out anyone in particular, but speaking ahead of a Champions League clash at Old Trafford against Valencia on Tuesday, he hinted that he agrees with the sentiment as he said: “Some care more than others.”
He did, however, suggest that those whose hearts are not in it are letting the group down – even if they are still giving their maximum.
“The performance on the pitch, in my opinion, is the consequence of many factors. Luke Shaw said the players have to give more, and I like that perspective but I don’t agree totally. Everyone in the club has a role to play. The kit man, the nutritionist, when we win, we all win, when we lose, we all lose,” he said.
“Until someone that tells me they were a dishonest player, I will always believe that the players are honest and want to give their best.”
With his future up in the air, he refused to be drawn on speculation that either he has held showdown talks with chairman Ed Woodward or called Zinedine Zidane, with the former Real Madrid boss linked with his job.
“Did I talk to Ed Woodward? That’s a private matter, i’m not asking who you who did speak yesterday. That’s a private matter,” he said, equally rebutting the suggestion that he has had a conversation with the France 1998 World Cup winner.
“Ask the guy behind you, he wrote the story!” he said, replying to the journalist who posed the question.
More to follow…
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