Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho criticised Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling following the 3-1 victory over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday according to the Sun.
Per the source, Smalling and Shaw were accused of betraying the ‘culture’ of United after refusing to play against the Swans.
Mourinho tried to explain himself by using a friend of his who plays tennis as a metaphor. The Portuguese boss revealed that it is in the culture of the club to play even if you are not at 100 percent.
Mourinho was quoted by the Sun [via MUFC Tv] as saying: “I have a friend who is a big tennis player and he tells me when he remembered more the times he plays with pain than the times he plays without pain.
“To compete you have to go to the limit. It is cultural for some – and the is not my culture. More than me, it is Man United.
“We have players with ‘problems’. At every sport – and I know because I have friends in others sports and they play at the highest level in their sport, and how many times they play when you are not 100 per cent.”
The United boss was furious that Shaw declared himself unavailable to play on the morning of the Swansea game.
Smalling meanwhile has not played for United since their 4-0 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League.
United managed to cope without Shaw and Smalling against the Swans and Mourinho revealed that he was pleased with the defenders that featured.
Valencia who was also out escaped the wrath of Mourinho as he genuinely has an injury and recently had surgery on his arm.
“Valencia had surgery on his arm, Bailly has a long-term knee injury, Smalling doesn’t feel that he can play 100 per cent with his pain. Luke Shaw told me this morning that he was not in the condition to play so we had to build a defensive line,” he added.
“To be honest, I trust the four boys that are on the pitch. I go with the players that are convinced they can do it and I am very confident.
“I know Ashley Young is not a right-back but Ashley Young is a champion. Matteo Darmian is always ready to do his best and Phil Jones, he understands the moment of the team.
“He understands that we are in trouble so he is ready to go and accelerated his process.
“Maybe his process would take him more time but he’s put himself on the line to go with the team. Marcos [Rojo] is the same.
“Daley Blind has some problems but he put himself available to be on the bench and to try to help the team so the people that are here are people that I trust for a difficult match.”