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Jose Mourinho

TRANSCRIPT: Mourinho's embargoed press conference

August 9, 2018

Scott is the editor of RoM and has a season ticket at Old Trafford. He writes for The Mirror, Paddy Power and Red News. He started The Republik of Mancunia in March 2006. Follow @R_o_M on Twitter.

Fosu-Mensah joins Fulham on loan

Manchester United must lay down a marker against Leicester City

49 Comments

N_N August 9, 2018

As I thought, loan deals can still be made up until 30 August.

Is there more to the rumoir that we offered Boateng a loan deal? That could be interesting and maybe why we didn’t rush anything through last minute.

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Mobi August 9, 2018

He goes straight into the category of:
I'd rather sign nobody than someone who makes u weaker

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Mark_Reid August 9, 2018

I wonder what the mood on here this time tomorrow.Will it be hell yea.Meh or well that was just awful.We shall have to wait and see.im going for 2 1.

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mjcRED August 9, 2018

Makes me laugh at how distracted we've all been with the importance with getting central defenders the starting 11. We scored 38 less goals than City last season and we have done absolutely nothing to address the paucity and inconsistency of the attacking players within our ranks....

I'm loving reading the positive 'spin' Mourinho's propaganda fanboys are fanning out the flames on here in spite of the overwhelming feeling that we're going to self implode under this guy and the comedy board.

Reminds me of chemical Ali in Iraq all them years ago when he denied the arrival of the US tanks, even though they were clearly visible coming over the hill on the horizon.

It's funny, the latest spin is how players like Sanchez etc... will be like 'new' signings when he deems to finally put in some effort for us, even though the poor sod goes begging for a turkey at Christmas with his paltry 500k a week....!

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N_N August 9, 2018

“Everything is fine”

Explosions going off in the background.

N_N August 9, 2018

Yes Mobs I am not a fan at all.

Mark, what upsets me the most since SAF left is our fear factor is completely gone and teams come to OT shut up shop knowing that we get frustrated and rarely take a crack from outside the box.

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Mobi August 9, 2018

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/09/manchester-united-veto-jose-mourinho-wishlist-cash-fears

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Mark_Reid August 9, 2018

mjc I know the goal difference was the real problem as in goals scored,so we need to address that not the defense.
Supercomputer predictions has Cardiff,Huddersfield and Fulham going down.
Has The top six City,Dippers,United,Chelski,Arsenal and Spurs.

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Mobi August 9, 2018

Mark
I hope it's good, like xyth says, no matter what's going on it's bloody Leicester tomorrow - at old Trafford too! We can't expect anything but a win! A good win too! We might be missing 3/4 key starters but the ones playing will all be experienced first teamers!

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Mobi August 9, 2018

Mark
City and Liverpool the top 2.. I can't see that again! Please don't let it happen!!!!! Back in 14 it felt like I was cheating on United Lol when I was desperately praying for city to win the league!

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Mark_Reid August 9, 2018

Mobi nightmare scenario,anyone but those two.
N-N yeah the fear factor was gone last few seasons.I remember a mate of mine saying(he’s a Chavs fan)that opposing teams would just look at the sideline see Fergie and say we are beat.
A lot of teams gave up when Shitty scored against them last year I felt.

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Paul_Scholess August 9, 2018

@mjcred it is not a propaganda but if it's considered as one, I can also say the same thing to people on the other side who keep complaining about THE SAME THING from the first day he was signed as a manager. Aren't you guys tired?

Self-implode how? Self-implode going from 6th to 2nd? I'll take this type of self-implode any day, maybe we can fully self-implode ourself to the 1st while we're at it.

But speaking realistically, Jose has to take this team to fully compete for 1st, otherwise it may well be his last season at United.

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N_N August 9, 2018

I too reckon City, Liverpool, UTD and I aint no supercomputer hahahaha.

But seriously, the most frustrating part about that (apart from the fact its those 2), is I believe they are not any better than us, but that thanks to their confidence and morale, that’s worth a few points and imo will be the difference.

I really hope what some of the players say is true and that behind closed doors JM is positive, upbeat etc and its just the abu media and some of our fans that are downbeat and negative.

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CarrickLegend16 August 9, 2018

I think some ppl are missing the point of Mourinho wanting "another' centre back. Looking at pre-season it seems he wants to play 3 at the back. Yes, we have a lot of good centre backs but he wants one that has the experience and quality to play and lead the other 2 'younger' ones.
Bailly and Lindelof are the 2 he bought in and Bailly has shown he is a good when fit, Lindelof has taken a bit longer to get used to the EPL but has shown signs he is getting there.

A back 3 of Bailly (New experienced, I still think JM wanted Alderweireld) and Lindelof is a good mix of defender. Now put in Smalling or Jones into that 3 and it looks like an accident waiting to happen.

I still hope we try the 3 as it gives us more attacking threat with the wing backs (another area where JM wanted strengthening) and also gives us more defensive cover when we haven't got the ball.

Bailly, Lindelof and Smalling to start the season.

As it turns out we have a bean counter making decisions on what type of player we should be bringing in.
It won't matter who is the manager as long as MrEd is the man dictating who he buys or sells.

Trev

Yes, Mr Ed is ahorse, of course, of course,
And no one can talk to a horse of course
That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mr. Ed.

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United24 August 10, 2018

I love the defiance from United manager.
It's us against the world [ ABU] again !

You are either with us, or against us!!

He says actions speak better than words, and by November/December we'll know who is in the title race and who is not.

I like that!!!

I'll place my bets on our players and manager coming together behind closed doors, with this seige mentality.

We'll work in unity to defy the cynics!
We begin with a clean slate.
Let's rally the troops and go fight with what we have, and stop feeling sorry for ourselves.

Time to join the cause.
United we stand, Divided we fall!

It starts against Leicester.
Let's go.
GGMU.

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mddesd August 10, 2018

By December we will see who is going to be the next United manager for sure..

All the best for the lads and they can surely do it as long as they play their own game.

Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

With no disrespect towards Leicester surely United would be expected to beat them at Old Trafford.

So come on United go for the throat and put in an emphatic performance that shuts the ABU's and "Experts" who have written us off before a ball has been kicked .

It all starts in a few hours time, in a few weeks we will probably know how our season will pan out .

We have the talent, what we need is a change of attitude and application .

It is in Jose's hands, he has the players at his disposal.

Let us start of by making other teams worry about us for a change .

I'm not one for predictions, but i'm fed up of us being the butt of other peoples jokes.

Let's shut them up, starting tonight.

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Bryan_Robson August 10, 2018

Finally its match day, I cannot wait!

Summers are always annoying, not for the fact that I dislike the heat (yeah yeah and I am living in Cyprus) but because I miss my United, I need my fix .

The ABU's have been out in full force this summer. If anyone believes what the Daily Star or the Sun writes then they need their heads checked. The BBC are getting worse as well.

As for tonight, I will leave discussing formations, who plays on the left or right etc to the resident experts.

I just want to see 11 United players walking out at OT tonight..... I missed them

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

Bryan,

Same here.

As for the ABU's would you agree the louder the voices the less matches they have attended ( I don't mean on here by the way) ?

To use a broader example, any bar you go into you will meet the "experts" , the cheaper the drink . the more they know, about any club, various countries governments, and the like.

Why bother with managers? just go to the nearest bar for the answer .

As for our team, out of all our critics how many have actually been to Old Trafford , and yet are "experts" ?

I must admit I am very disappointed with our progress since the departure of SAF, one FA Cup and two minor trophies and a distant second place .But saying that, it is more than most the teams our harshest critics have achieved.

As for tonight, I hope our lads wear the shirt with pride, play the best they can, and with the maximum effort .

Let us shut up the ABU's, and let's start tonight .

One final point, since when has it been obligatory to buy players every single transfer window ?it should just be the odd tweak that is needed.

Come on United !

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

It's Official !

http://southendnewsnetwork.net/news/breaking-liverpool-fan-confirms-this-year-is-their-year/

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WeAreUnited August 10, 2018

Utd24
You got me hyped!! Together we stand strong against all!! GET IN
UNITED! UNITED! UNITED!!

Trevor
Haha the scousers, here’s my bet, league cup final is the furthest they get and they lose that one, too

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

WAU,

They do set themselves up though don't they ? They have a lot to lose and the hype has to be lived up to.

On the other hand we have absolutely nothing to lose, everyone has told us we're shite and i'm steeling myself for life in the championship next year already .

I always get a huge tingle of excitement on our first day of the season.

Just going to go onto the BBC website to see what ex dipper Mark Lawrenson's predictions are.

He hasn't predicted a dipper loss in over two years.

Will report back shortly

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

Surprisingly he said United would win 1-0

And said.

" I look at their squad, United are basically nailed on to finish in the top three. They might not have become a better team since last season, when they were runners-up, but they have not become a bad one either."

His top four prediction is.

1. Man City
2. Liverpool
3. Man Utd
4. Arsenal

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Bryan_Robson August 10, 2018

Trev

Some belting posts, especially re your second favorite club! lol

I mean give me a break, Phil Babb?? Like really? This is just a tiny example of the idiots I see every day (Ok I just mute the telly)

Tonight is the night

Come on you mighty REDS

UNITED UNITED UNITED

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ifeanyiumeweni August 10, 2018

I'm not even bothered about tonight because I'm confident we would hammer Leicester and make the 70m pound Macguire worth as much as a bottle of Heineken thanking our stars in the process for not shelling out a ridiculous amount for him. I'm concerned with how we would play from October when we meet Chelsea at the bridge and City at the Etihad 2 matches later. Thankfully its 9 matches or so in to the season so we should be comfortable by then because I fear Jose won't be able to resist the urge to play that sickening style of football on the day.

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mjcRED August 10, 2018

Now the board have effectively given Mourinho enough rope, let’s see how his dirge mentality will see him cope through the season, beginning with Leicester tonight.

His miserable demeanour ever since he’s arrived and still living in a hotel suggest he was only ever he as a stop gap. Most fans are about as happy with the realisation he’s taking us into a new season as they’d be if they opened their curtains to see a travellers camp set up at the bottom of the garden..!

Like many here, I would love to see a United once again playing expansive, free flowing football. Equally, I’d love to see opposition teams be fearful of us, unable to live with our attacking threat and high energy press. For now, those days are gone and we going to have to tough it out and endure this brand of football that we’ll never come to love. But there’s no point going on about it!?
I’d love nothing more than to see ‘the United way’ return but we’re so far down this road I’m no longer certain of what it is.
Personally, I think I’ve more chance of flying to the moon (or seeing Mourinho smile!!) than seeing either, but hey ho we can live in hope!
I see a scrappy draw, with the bumbling Fellaini coming off the bench to equalise late on.
Forget the hollow achievement of finishing for 2nd, right now we all realistically know we won’t/can’t challenge with this guy at the helm.

I’m realistic and clear eyed enough to forget any ideas of trophies for the immediate future. With low expectations I’d be more than satisfied with seeing each player giving maximum effort for the cause.

I want to see a United side defy this manager and take responsibility for themselves, individually and collectively, and play entertaining and gutsy football, in total defiance of everything this manager is and stands for. If I see this, I will still believe the spirit and soul of the club hasn’t been totally trampled on and extinguished by this guy who will hopefully be gone by the time we’ll be seeing in the new year...

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

Ifean,

Wouldn't bank on the style of play, but hope he has changed his ways.

I think there are a couple of breaks before we meet the chavs and city which won't do any momentum we have any good .

But one step at a time, a convincing win against Leicester tonight will be a good start .

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CarrickLegend16 August 10, 2018

Bryan

Just for you bud!

I hope we start with

...............................................DDG
.....................Bailly........Lindelof.......Smalling
Darmien.........Fred.............Pereira...............Shaw
.......................Mata........................Sanchez
.....................................Lukakua

Rashford or Lukakua
Lingard for Mata
Young for Shaw or Darmien
Jones
Rojo
Fellaini
McTomminay
Martial

I'm assuming Herrera, Valencia, Matic are injured

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CarrickLegend16 August 10, 2018

Forgot to mention Pogba on the bench.

CarrickLegend16 August 10, 2018

mjcRED

The 'hotel' is a fricking house within a big building. Have you see the pics of the 'hotel room'. He just gets his laundry done for him, he gets in house meals, the 'room' gets cleaned for him, gets chauffeur driven around and probably a heap of other perks living alone in a house would not give him.

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

mjcRED,

Starting at such a low base and with very low expectations (i'm not referring to you by the way ) Literally anything apart from a heavy defeat would seem like a bonus .

And about him living in a hotel .

It really doean't take long to fly from London Docklands to Manchester airport.

Where would you rather live. Belgravia in London, or in Manchester ?

And that is also part of the reason we have trouble recruiting players .

If you had a choice between living in Manchester, Madrid, Barcelona, Turin , or even London where would you choose ?

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mjcRED August 10, 2018

Haha, what’s wrong with up north???

Seriously though, I think it has very little to do with Manchester, after all, our dear beloved neighbours don’t seem to have any problems recruiting the required calibre of players or a top quality manager who respects and honours their respective club and fans by striving to play effective, winning football that manages to be pleasing on the eye. We’ve not managed and will continue to go without either for years now.

The reason players no longer see us an ambitious club where they’ll be able to forward their careers rests wholly with the the poor judgement and direction of the board and the brand of football that is as dull as dishwater. It would be easier to ‘sell’ a fortnight in Syria than it would to get players to want to come to United as things are!
I guess we’ve got to keep smiling. This gallows humour is the only thing the hapless, joyless Mourinho and these carpet bagging sponsorship deal making custodians of the club haven’t taken from us yet. If they find a market for it in some far off untapped land, they’ll have that also...!

Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

mjcRED,

It's pretty grim oop north, that's probably why I have Manc neighbours either side of me here in Devon,

I can see your point regarding the rest of your post .

Did you see the quote from the new article ?

" There is now a renewed sense of positivity and hope, which has been inspired by Mourinho"

Only goes to prove drugs do work !

ifeanyiumeweni August 10, 2018

This article describes our transfer window very well and I 100 percent agree with the decision made. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/09/manchester-united-veto-jose-mourinho-wishlist-cash-fears?CMP=share_btn_tw

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

C16,

The Lowry isn't too shabby, the wife loves it there.

Move it down South and i'd happily live in it

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ifeanyiumeweni August 10, 2018

Trevor those international breaks are my worst nightmare I don't know why they can't all be played together during one long freaking break.

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Bryan_Robson August 10, 2018

C16

Cheers my friend. I would not mind that line up at all. A part of me want Rashford to start, or at least to play a part

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CarrickLegend16 August 10, 2018

ifeanyiumeweni

After reading that I must agree with you!

Why waste money on getting better players than we have (Shaw - Sandro)(Rojo - Alderweireld)(Mata - Perisic) when that money can go to Ed Woodward's bonus or back to the share holders or the Gimps.
Also why pay a football manager 10 or 12 million a year to identify what is needed in the football team when we can let the accountants and marketing people make those decisions.

Who decides who the 'elite performers are', it's subjective and while Ed wants to bring in Bale, the squad might need reinforcing in other areas. And when do elite performers come up for transfer? rarely.

Seriously though there are couple of points I do agree with. Not selling Pogba and Martial, even though it might destabilize the group if as the tabloids report they are wanting to move.
Not perusing McGuire is another decision I agree with but I'm not the manager who probably rates him better than Smalling, Rojo and Jones.

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CarrickLegend16 August 10, 2018

Bryan

I think Rashford will start and Lukaku will come on at 60 - 65 minutes but I would prefer Lukaku to start.

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

C16,

The dips I saw the other night said "why doesn't Jose play Rashford more central, he slaughtered us?"

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Mobi August 10, 2018

Hendrix
It beats me.. he's pretty average as a winger.. sometimes his talent means he'll put in a good performance.. but he's not a good enough winger..

When rashford first started playing for us I thought this is some player, he's going to be a star for us..

If rashford had made his debut 6 months ago I'd think he's just another local lad who we can keep in the squad and use to give others a break, he'll just run up and down and work for the team..

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Mobi August 10, 2018

I'd go
DeGea
Darmian Smalling Bailly Shaw
Fred McTominay Pereira
Mata Sanchez Martial

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

Mobi,

As long as he rips the dippers apart that'll do me

Your line up should be good enough to beat Leicester

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mjcRED August 10, 2018

Haha no worries.
Maybe in my next life I’ll be able to afford living ‘darn sarf’.
Whilst sticking to stereotypes I’ll stay up here where the people in the main are friendlier and not so full of themselves - obviously yourself excepted from this!

We came through ilfracombe a few years back, from what I remember I heard far too many scouse accents for my liking, at least they haven’t slimed their way down there taking all the jobs, the lazy, self pitying buggers!!!

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Hendrix knightsmith August 10, 2018

MJC,

I am a northerner.

But most of them seem to live down South. apart from the Mancs either side of me (who'i'm teaching English, I call them Mr & Mrs SUbtitle) they call Ilfracombe Liverpool -On-Sea, so you're right on that account. They would rather be on the social at the seaside than in the city of self pity .

When I went to OT I really was surprised by the lack of Mancs about .

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Mobi August 10, 2018

Slippy G had to translate a question for one of his signings after the guy failed to understand what the Scottish bloke was saying to him!

First and last time a Scouser will be used as an interpreter!