Jose Mourinho reveals Man Utd still have players he told club to get rid of when he was boss with four stars in frame
JOSE MOURINHO has claimed Manchester United still have some of his dead wood on their books.
The Portuguese gaffer guided United to Europa League and Carabao Cup glory in his first of two seasons at the Old Trafford helm.
The Red Devils finished second in the Prem table the following season, although The Special One was relieved of his duties in December 2018.
Mourinho felt like his squad was carrying several passengers, some of whom he’s claimed are now the burden of current United boss Erik ten Hag.
During an appearance on John Obi Mikel‘s ‘Obi One’ podcast, he said: “There are still people in that club, and when I say people I mean some players.
“But also some other people that are not players, that are still there when I told [United] after two months: With these people, you are never going to do it [be successful].
“And they are still there.”
Mourinho didn’t name specific players, but Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay are the only players still at United from his first season in charge.
The 60-year-old hasn’t been afraid to criticise his former employers in the five years since his sacking.
But he was full of praise for the club’s now-former CEO Richard Arnold, who left the Theatre of Dreams last month ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s imminent shake-up.
The Roma boss said: “They still have a CEO who is an amazing person, who I would love to have had during my time there, that’s Richard Arnold, who is probably now leaving.
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“I had him as a Commercial Director, not a CEO, and I would love to have had him on my side in my time there, but the club wasn’t easy.”
Despite being given the chop, Mourinho doesn’t look back negatively on his time at Old Trafford.
He said: “I don’t have regrets because I gave everything.
“The Man United fans know I gave everything, they know how much I love the club.
“I went there once with Sky, I was in the box giving my comments and the whole stadium turned to me applauding and singing for me.
“If that happens when I go to Inter, Real Madrid, Porto or Chelsea you say it’s because of everything we won.
“But when you go to Man United, a club with that history, and they do that for a coach who only won a Europa League, League Cup, Charity Shield and finished second, you arrive at the conclusion that they know I gave everything I could.”
Manchester United will be back in action on Saturday, travelling to the London Stadium to take on West Ham.