Sports

Jose Mourinho hits out at Manchester United critics over dishonesty ahead of Arsenal clash

312

Jose Mourinhos side host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday night (Picture: Getty)

Jose Mourinho has denied that his players are dishonest and insists Manchester Uniteds squad are still committed to his project at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils dropped more points with a 2-2 draw away to Southampton at the weekend and reports following the match suggested Mourinho had slammed his players at St Marys.

Mourinho, who has been publicly critical of his squads attitude on numerous occasions this season, is understood to have branded Paul Pogba a virus in the dressing room.

Earlier this season, Mourinho claimed that some of players care more than others but the Portuguese is confident that the majority of his squad are still behind him.

More: Football

Advertisement Advertisement

A football player is paid – and very well paid – to be a football professional. What is that? he said ahead of Uniteds clash with Arsenal.

It is to train every day to his limits, to play every game to his limits, is to behave socially according to the nature of his job, is to respect the millions of fans around the world and to respect the hierarchies in the club.

United dropped points at Southampton (Picture: Getty)

If a player doesnt do that, one thing is to perform well and not so well, another thing is to be a football professional.

If you say that a player plays well or bad because of how good a manager is, you are calling the player dishonest.

The Red Devils are sitting eighth in the Premier League (Picture: Getty)

Mourinho hit out at ex-professionals who have insinuated that Uniteds players have downed tools.

Because you are a journalist and not a professional player, I understand your question, he continued.

But when pundits, who were professional players, say that this player is not playing for the manager, did they do that when they were players?

Were they dishonest players? If they were they shouldnt be in front of a camera speaking to millions of people.

I disagree totally with that question. You have to analyse a player by: Is he performing, yes or no? You shouldnt go in that direction because you are calling the players dishonest.

You believe a player scores in his own goal and then runs and celebrates? I scored in my own goal because I dont like the manager? Do you believe in that? I dont believe in that.