'We want to win all the time': Jose Mourinho plays down Manchester United frustration

Sport360 staff 19:27 27/08/2018
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  • Jose Mourinho says he is focused on future success at Manchester United, rather than worrying about his position after a turbulent summer.

    A frustrating transfer window followed by a disastrous loss to Brighton last week has seen plenty of speculation surrounding Mourinho’s relationship with the club’s board, and especially that between him and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who is in charge of transfers.

    His relationship with star midfielder and newly-installed club captain Paul Pogba has also come under scrutiny after a media back-and-forth, which began with Mourinho’s less-than-effusive praise of the player following Pogba’s starring role in France’s World Cup triumph and continued into the first game of the season, when the Frenchman implied he wasn’t happy at the club.

    All of this culminated in Mourinho’s terse press conference ahead of Monday’s clash against Tottenham, although he did take time to praise the United fans for their support over the season’s first two games.

    “The supporters were fantastic in both matches,” said Mourinho. “Not for me, for the team which is the only thing that matters.

    “In my career I was never selfish and thinking about myself, I was always a club man.

    “That’s what I am. I am really happy when the supporters they support the team. Against Leicester, you can say in a normal situation because the team was playing well and was winning.

    “But to be supportive of the team against Brighton, where we didn’t play well and lost the match, it gives you a fantastic feeling.

    “I hope that feeling, the players also feel it and the players they are ready to give them everything they have.”

    Other than that, however, Mourinho refused to be drawn on anything, including whether he was frustrated by the loss to Brighton, a result that followed several losses last season to the so-called lesser teams of the Premier League despite United usually playing well against fellow teams in the top six.

    “No, it is not a frustration because it would also be a frustration if we win every match against the non top-six team and don’t win against the top six, that would also be a frustration,” he said.

    “We want to win all the time. We want to play well all the time. We don’t want to make mistakes. That is what you always want.

    “We want a winning style. Don’t make defensive mistakes. Be dominant. Chances, score goals and go home with the three points.”

    Mourinho has not been happy with the media coverage of United in recent times, and thus didn’t take the bait when he was asked whether he was satisfied with his squad.

    Jose Mourinho and Ed Woodward.

    Jose Mourinho and Ed Woodward.

    “You know my answer,” said Mourinho.

    “I do not need to answer because I do not even know sometimes why I am here because you know everything.

    “During the week it looks like you show that you know everything then I come here and you ask me questions. It’s a bit strange.”

    The Portuguese shot down a question on Tottenham’s own transfer difficulties after a summer in which Spurs became the first team in Premier League history to make zero signings in the summer transfer window, snapping, “It is not my problem.”

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