A couple of hours ago, Jose Mourinho concluded his press conference ahead of Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League clash at home versus Valencia tomorrow night. The session was not as bombastic and contentious as recent Mourinho pressers have been, but the Portugese was still often evasive, defensive surly.
United are off to start in league play that has been so dismal, it’s tied for the one partial season David Moyes was in charge for the worst record after the first seven matches.
Video of the Mourinho presser, where he was later joined by midfielder Nemanja Matic, is below:
The poor results have increased speculation that Mourinho could be sacked, but the manager refused to answer when asked if he had spoken to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward after the disastrous 3-1 defeat at West Ham.
“That’s a private matter, I don’t ask you who your last phone call was with this morning,” the Red Devils boss snapped at the reporter who asked the question.
Although he was transparent when asked about the club’s run of poor results this season.
“I think that some [players] care more than others,” Jose Mourinho said.
“The reason why we don’t win matches is the same as why we win matches. It’s down to everybody. The performance on the pitch is down to many factors.”
“I see different reactions, but sometimes what you see is different from the inside. You see some people on the outside look like they haven’t lost a game, but in training they are working hard.”
When asked if his job was on the line, he responded: “No, I don’t think so.”
United Injury Report: go to this link
United Starting XI Prediction, Match Preview: go to this link
TV/Kick-off: 8pm (BST), Tuesday Oct 2, BT Sport 2
Odds via Odds Shark: United 3/5 Draw 31/10 Valencia 22/5
Prediction: United 1, Valencia 0
As always, feel free to post your own United and/or Valencia starting XI predictions, as well as your best guess as to what the final score will be.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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