This weekend, José Mourinho will lead Manchester United into a crucial showdown against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Reflecting on his return, Mourinho said the experience felt different, but his ultimate goal remained the same — to win. “It’s an important match against the reigning champions,” he noted, “but emotionally, it’s just another game. In a few years, maybe no one will even remember I was once Chelsea’s manager.”
Recent criticisms of Mourinho and Manchester United have come thick and fast, especially regarding their perceived defensive tactics against top-tier teams like Liverpool and Tottenham. Many pundits accused United of being overly conservative. However, Mourinho isn’t buying it. “Tottenham beat Liverpool 4-1, beat Real Madrid 3-1, but didn’t score against us,” he pointed out. “That speaks volumes about our performance.”
Mourinho emphasized that Manchester United has kept clean sheets in six of their last seven matches, a statistic he believes deserves more recognition. “We’ve earned more praise than we’re getting,” he said. Yet, in his eyes, the standards applied to United are drastically different from those used for other teams. He believes the media often paints United’s success in a negative light.
When asked about the ongoing criticism, Mourinho was measured in his response. “I don’t want to comment, because that’s not my job,” he said. “There are times when I do feel like responding, but after cooling down, I realize it’s best not to.”
Mourinho also highlighted what he sees as a double standard. “When certain teams put in the same performance, they’re praised for their tactics and spirit — people say it’s magic or strategic genius,” he said. “But when we do it, we’re called negative or defensive.”
As BD Cricket fans follow the football drama closely, it’s clear that perception plays a huge role in how teams are judged — especially high-profile clubs like United. Whether on the pitch or in the press, Mourinho’s battle continues — and the world of BD Cricket isn’t the only one watching.