Mourinho has been criticised by Keown (Picture: Getty)
Mourinho has been criticised by Keown (Picture: Getty)

Martin Keown believes Jose Mourinho is ‘holding his players back’ at Manchester United and insists he should take a leaf out of Pep Guardiola’s book.

Mourinho masterminded a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday before Mauricio Pochettino’s side thumped Real Madrid 3-1 in the Champions League.

While the Portuguese’s methods were criticised for the manner in which he set his side up against Liverpool and Spurs, it seemed he had been handed some vindication as the latter ran riot at Wembley, with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen condemning the reigning European champions to a hefty defeat.

But former Arsenal centre-back Keown has been less than impressed with Manchester United’s performances in big games and insists their manager is not letting them reach their full potential.

Pochettino’s side beat Real Madrid with ease (Picture: AFP/Getty)

When asked whether Mourinho had taught Zinedine Zidane a lesson in how to face Spurs, Keown told the Daily Mail: ‘These were two completely different games.

‘Manchester United are a difficult prospect at Old Trafford and I would expect them to beat Tottenham there.

‘United are starting to rebuild that aura they used to have at Old Trafford. They have won all eight of their fixtures there in all competitions this season and are yet to concede at home in the Premier League.

Did Zidane get his approach wrong? (Picture: Getty)

‘Let’s see how United get on when they face Spurs at Wembley in the New Year. The ‘Trembly Wembley’ factor has gone now.

‘The problem with United is that Mourinho holds his players back. You watch a team like Manchester City with awe as every player is able to express themselves. You cannot say the same about United.’