Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho talked to the press ahead of the Community Shield match against Leicester on Sunday.
There was a lot of anticipation in the air as Jose Mourinho held his first press conference leading to his maiden competitive match in charge of Manchester United. There were a lot of interesting topics brought up including the dealings in the transfer market, all of which were clearly explained by the Portuguese, before the Community Shield tie against Premier League champions Leicester City. Mourinho had some interesting comments about certain topics as we take a look at some talking points from the press-conference.
1. No room in the squad for Bastian Schweinsteiger
Schweinsteiger has been rumoured to be not included in Jose Mourinho’s first team plans at Old Trafford and the Portuguese was asked to clarify the Bastian Schweinsteiger situation, to which he had a clear response. Mourinho explained that every new manager has the right to choose his squad at their new club and this was simply his decision. He told that he likes to play with 20 outfield players but owing to Manchester United’s qualification for the Europa League, the manager has had to tweak his ideology and keep 23 outfield players with Bastian not making the cut. In Mourinho’s own words, “I had to make my decisions. It’s simple.”
2. Mourinho hits out at “unethical” Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp
Manchester United have been linked to a world-record move for Juventus superstar Paul Pogba, a potential transfer that was criticized by fellow Premier League managers Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp. While Jurgen Klopp was heavily critical of the transfer fee involved, Arsene Wenger was more subtle in his choice of words.
Jose Mourinho, in his press conference, aimed at the two managers, claiming that the comments made by them were unethical. The Portuguese shut down the duo by saying that, unlike his counterparts, he does not speak or speculate about other clubs. He went on to justify United’s spending by stating that “We [United] decided to bring in four players, not 10,” which is a direct swipe at Klopp’s Liverpool, who have made six signings to date with more rumoured incoming transfers.
Mourinho was his classic self with the press and also added a finishing touch by saying, “If the others have a problem, they can do what they want.”
3. Satisfied with United’s transfer window
Jose Mourinho has been repeatedly appreciative of his club’s dealings in the transfer market this summer and upon being asked how he felt the club did in the transfer market, he sounded out once again about his happiness with the efforts of the club to bring in his desired targets.
The Portuguese highlighted his club’s approach in the transfer market and said,“I think our market was good. We made decisions. We decided to bring four that can really improve the squad. This is the profile of our market.”
Mourinho gave a little bit of insight into each of their chosen transfer targets that have already arrived at the club and are yet to arrive at the club.
“We got a young central defender that needs time to be a top one, but he has top potential and we believe in him a lot. We’ve brought in a creative player, a player with quality that we know he has. We brought in a striker, and we are going to get a very good midfield player. We are trying to get balance so I am very happy with my squad.”
4. Tactics would be a bit different to Louis Van Gaal’s
Manchester United suffered a tumultuous time during Louis Van Gaal’s two-year reign at the club with the Dutchman being lambasted by fans and pundits alike for his “boring” style of play that lacked attacking impetus with more focus on keeping the ball. Mourinho was asked if his tactics would be a bit different than the former Manchester United manager who was also his mentor at Barcelona, and the Portuguese was rather clear about his approach without being disrespectful to Louis Van Gaal.
He said,“I think your words are very correct because you say my teams are different to Mr. Van Gaal’s teams and that is correct. I want to make it clear that I’m not saying my teams are better, or have better ideas, or my principles of play are better, not at all. So your question was correct. Yes, my teams are different to Mr. Van Gaal.”
5. Paul Pogba deal might be completed by next week
Paul Pogba’s potential transfer to Manchester United has been on the lips and minds of every journalist and the reporters asked Jose Mourinho if his fourth first-team signing is indeed Paul Pogba or if the Juventus superstar is close to completing a deal to United, the response to which is sure to excite the United faithfuls.
The Portuguese said,“ Pogba is a Juventus player until official he isn’t. So, we stay like this. But honestly, the market closes on August 31st, but I think my club is trying to do everything to close the market before August 14th. So, next week we will have our squad closed.”
Jose Mourinho has hinted at his fourth signing being completed within the next week, before August 14th, which may be an indication that United are close to sealing the deal.
