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Jose Mourinho: Man Utd players 'must realise they need to win'

By Simon StoneBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments267

We deserved to win every draw so far - Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says certain members of his squad need to realise the importance of winning.

United are unbeaten in 14 Premier League games but have drawn their past three and been sixth in the table after each round of matches since 6 November.

"Playing to win, having the responsibility to win, and coping with the pressure of winning is something that has to belong to your natural habitat," said Mourinho.

"For some guys, it doesn't."

Six players in the Old Trafford club's first-team squad have not won a domestic league title or major international tournament - Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian, Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

Mourinho did not name any individuals but, speaking before Sunday's trip to champions Leicester (16:00 GMT kick-off), he said his squad contains players who "need time to go out of a comfort or a protected zone where they don't think the aim is to win".

Meanwhile, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been added to United's Europa League squad after being left out for the group stages.

The 32-year-old former Germany captain will now be available for the last-32 tie against Saint-Etienne later this month.

'Impossible targets a waste of time'

Having signed four players last summer, United did not buy anyone during the January transfer window - but Mourinho has identified the men he wants in the summer.

In recent seasons, United have become embroiled in negotiations with Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos and forward Gareth Bale, and midfielder Cesc Fabregas when he was at Barcelona, but the Mourinho says he will not chase "impossible" transfers.

"I know what I want and I am very realistic," said the Portuguese. "I know what are the impossible targets and I don't like my club to participate in them.

"It is a waste of time. It is a gift to the agents to help them improve their situation."

Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid and France forward Antoine Griezmann has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in summer

Analysis

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Given they have been in sixth place since early November, there is a real possibility that United will fail to qualify for the Champions League for a second successive year.

That would cost them more than £20m in sponsorship income due to a clause in their £750m, 10-year deal with Adidas, but is unlikely to impact on their ability to attract top-class players because of Mourinho's reputation and the club's ability to pay top salaries.

Mourinho's priorities will be to bring in at least one "game-changing forward" and bolster his defence significantly.

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has been heavily linked, although United officials have played down a story from France that personal terms with the 25-year-old have already been agreed.

A formal move for Benfica's Victor Lindelof is anticipated after United ruled out a January move for the 22-year-old Sweden defender due to his near £40m buyout clause.

Monaco defensive midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is also of interest to Mourinho, with England winger Ashley Young and Schweinsteiger top of the list of likely departures.

Comments

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267 comments

  • Comment posted by Some bloke on the internet, at 22:41 3 Feb 2017

    What a blinkered ungracious self obsorbed self obsessed paranoid bad loser he has become! Whatever happened to that breath of fresh of air new vibrant manager that came over all those years ago? ..... must be the refs fault

  • Comment posted by comeontheglens, at 22:53 3 Feb 2017

    He's doing no better than Van Gaal. Strangely he seems to get away with it and get an easy ride in the media. He is arrogant, rude and totally ungracious. It won't end well but he will still ride off into the sunset with a few million in his pocket. The Special Once

  • Comment posted by A_Hawke, at 22:44 3 Feb 2017

    A billion spent and they can't even challenge for the title. Europa league nothing more. Horrific plastic club more interested in money than football.

  • Comment posted by AustinBrock, at 22:55 3 Feb 2017

    I am a Manchester United fan, but Mourinho is bringing so much shame to the club. I am supporting them as if they had no manager until they get a decent one.

  • Comment posted by Landlova, at 22:59 3 Feb 2017

    No Moaninio, the Manager needs to manage, not go around criticising everyone in sight. Stop blaming the players and for goodness sake take some responsibility yourself. Call yourself Special - my foot!

  • Comment posted by Name, at 22:44 3 Feb 2017

    Far from it, they deserved to lose a few more games this season. For example the game they just played, Hull hit the inside of the post in the 85th minute. Such an arrogant man, it's never his fault is it?

  • Comment posted by time for tea, at 22:48 3 Feb 2017

    2.Jez concur must admit didn't really mind Jose when he first came in at Chelsea but now when I hear him talking after the matches it's really an embarrassment Sir Alex was a bit the same really a bad loser and rarely commented if a team played better on the day respect to both of them for what they have achieved but both very arrogant and bad mannered individuals

  • Comment posted by Vilyem Hize, at 22:42 3 Feb 2017

    Mourinho speaks, the world decides to wash up.

  • Comment posted by Alan, at 23:06 3 Feb 2017

    The bloke has lost it - rude, mardy and childish beyond belief - ex winner

  • Comment posted by Trigg, at 22:45 3 Feb 2017

    Well he only spent what £150m in the summer, another £150-£200m this summer and he might squeeze top 4 next season lol Jose is past it, Chelsea knew the rest of the prem know it, united will realise next season

  • Comment posted by MoneyObserver, at 23:38 3 Feb 2017

    Nothing could be more instructive than Chelsea's improvement this season, and the 'special one' knows it.

  • Comment posted by Scot Ste, at 08:03 4 Feb 2017

    Maureen's ultimate failure will be the final nail in the demise of United which has seen them spiral downwards for years now. Putting them up against Madrid or Bayern would end in humiliation. The man is no class, looks to be very close to a complete breakdown and has no idea how to turn things around if the lump forward to Ibra or sideshow doesn't work. A thoroughly miserable little man

  • Comment posted by User0199157121, at 07:55 4 Feb 2017

    Man united players must realise they need to sell cheap merchendise to glory hunters in Asia and Surrey.

  • Comment posted by User0292904553, at 23:27 3 Feb 2017

    Not being funny here, but the guy's clearly got problems. He was the bad smell around Chelsea, and it looks like it's starting again.

    A very unwise appointment.

  • Comment posted by lovemyboris, at 23:18 3 Feb 2017

    Mourihno is shamelessly putting his failures' on the innocent players. Your shambolic style of management is to blame rather than players. Look at how you mistreated Bastian before he even kicked a ball when you were appointed manager. Then Miki and Martial. Mata was saved by the media. Chelsea boys were men enough and put up a go slow strike for you to get booted. Your excuses are all hogwash.

  • Comment posted by banfatballboys, at 23:09 3 Feb 2017

    Mourinho was a god, then a liability and now a laughing stock.

  • Comment posted by The Old Trafford Career Derailment Scheme, at 00:23 4 Feb 2017

    I used to respect and admire this man. Now I wonder why. He has become a loathsome caricature of himself, and represents all that is wrong with the game. Seriously question his mental faculties. Totally and utterly deluded.

  • Comment posted by Glass Half Full, at 08:03 4 Feb 2017

    Maureen needs to learn how to lose and draw with grace and maturity.

  • Comment posted by User0698317649, at 23:31 3 Feb 2017

    Fits his usual profile. Blame the refs, blame the fans, blame the players, then finally have a go at the board/chairman for not backing you - which then gets you fired.
    Of course it gives him an excuse for failure

  • Comment posted by Kim Jong Un supreme leader, at 09:00 4 Feb 2017

    Stop parking the bus then you impotent angry p.e. teacher.