Jose Mourinho: This is why I criticise Man United players in public

“I saw them scared to play…” was Jose Mourinho’s reaction to his team’s 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup last week.

The under-fire manager has had a tough start to the year, failing to close the gap on league leaders Manchester City, getting knocked out in the Champions League courtesy of Sevilla and now, under pressure to have his top players perform in big matches as they should be.

Though Mourinho has not cowered away from dwindling performances, he has expressed his dissatisfaction with some players, especially during the Brighton match.

He singled out Luke Shaw as one of the players that weren’t up to par, saying that he let in too many crosses from his side.

This has aroused speculation about the left back’s future, having come back from injury during Luis Van Gaal’s time, Shaw has failed to light up the Premier League and back up that 30 million price tag the club placed on him when he came from Southampton.

Speaking after the FA Cup win over Brighton, Mourinho also praised Nemanja Matic whom he said was “an island of personality” following his goal that sealed the Red Devils’ win.

During the post-match press conference, Mourinho was tasked with answering why he always criticised his players in public and he had this to say:

“My calculation is that without pressure, they don’t perform well. What can I lose? The ones that are always there are the ones that will always be there. That’s an example of personality.”

He also spoke at length about Scottish talent Scott McTominay, whom he said didn’t have the best of matches.

“You have the kid that didn’t play well at all, and I told him already, he was the first one I spoke to in the dressing room and instead of being critical, I was positive with him.”

He added that McTominay had the personality to play in the red shirt, unlike other players who seemed scared to play, scared of criticism, scared of wanting the ball. “He was not afraid to play,” said the manager.

He took another swipe at his best players, saying that he felt like some wanted to be taken off the pitch and he didn’t like it.

“Every player can play bad. But to feel not comfortable to play, ‘Please Mr take me from the pitch’, I felt that. The strong ones will always be the strong ones, the young ones under criticism will improve or don’t improve,” said Mourinho.

Subtly, Mourinho defended his players, saying that their confidence was dealt a blow after the defeat to Sevilla. “When the sun is shining in football, everything goes well, you win matches, you score goals, everything goes in your direction, every player is a good player, every player wants to play, wants the ball, is confident to play and looks amazing. When it’s dark and cold, a period of bad results, like the one that happened to us days ago, not everybody has the confidence and personality to play really,” uttered Mourinho as he concluded the conference.