Mourinho isn't easy to work with - Matic

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. Photo: PA

James Ducker
© Telegraph Media Group Limited

Nemanja Matic has admitted that Jose Mourinho is not easy to work with at times because he is constantly demanding more from players, regardless of what they achieve.

But the Manchester United midfielder believes that is one of the reasons why Mourinho is the best coach he has ever played under.

And Matic has insisted Mourinho's public image as "cold and conceited" is at odds with his warmth and compassion in private and believes the Portuguese is building a squad capable of bringing the glory days back to Old Trafford.

United have won 10 of their past 12 matches but Mourinho has come in for criticism in recent days for his defensive approach in the goalless draw at Anfield last Saturday and an uninspiring 1-0 victory away to Benfica in the Champions League.

But Matic launched a staunch defence of Mourinho, under whom he won the Premier League title with Chelsea in 2014/'15, before being brought to United for £40m by the manager this summer.

"Mourinho is a brand, but he is the best coach I've ever worked with," the Serbia midfielder said.

"Sometimes it isn't easy to work with him, because he always demands more. Even when you play the best match in your career, he considers that you can play better in the next match.

"I co-operated excellently with him at Chelsea, and the fact that Mourinho is the coach here was the decisive factor in me choosing my new environment.

"Privately, he's completely different from the way he is perceived by the general public.

"This is a man who possesses all human virtues. He's not at all cold or conceited, as he is presented in the media."

Excited

Matic says he is excited by United's potential this season and hopes to repeat some of the success his compatriot Nemanja Vidic had at the club.

"He (Mourinho) has created an excellent group of players with huge potential, and everything is there for us to achieve good results," added Matic.

"I don't want to talk about the goals of the club, but when I mention Manchester United I think the ambitions are clear to everyone.

"We will do our best to achieve the results that previous generations had at the club."

(© Daily Telegraph, London)