World of Sport Reporter: @worldofsport
It looks like a war of words is brewing between Manchester United legend Paul Scholes and current manager Jose Mourinho.
Scholes was a pundit at United’s game with Southampton, and was highly critical of the performance, but the United manager has hit back, saying “all he does is criticise” and that Scholes hopes he would be "25 per cent" as successful as him if he ever turns to management.
Former United midfielder Scholes said the players and the manager are "under-performing" after their 0-0 draw with Southampton, and he was also critical over the fitness and attitude of midfielder Paul Pogba.
Mourinho responded to Scholes' comments after yesterday’s 2-0 win at Everton.
"I think the only thing Paul Scholes does is to criticise. I don't think he comments, I think he criticises, which is a different thing, but not every one of us has to be phenomenal, like he was as a player. He was a phenomenal player, that doesn't mean that we all have to be phenomenal. Paul (Pogba) tries to do his best all the time. Sometimes he plays very well, sometimes he plays well, and sometimes he does not play so well.”
Quite complimentary about Scholes there, but he did stand Pogba’s corner, which he’d have to do considering he spent near on £100m on him. When pressed about it, Mourinho got more bitchy about Scholes.
"It is not Pogba’s fault that he made much more money than Paul Scholes. It is not Paul Pogba's fault, it's just the way football is. But I think Scholesy will be in the history like a phenomenal player, not as a pundit. So I prefer to look at him as a phenomenal player who gave so much to the club I am proud to represent and every day I try to do my best. If Paul one day decides to be a manager, I wish that he can be 25 per cent as successful as myself, because 50 per cent is 12 and a half silverware, 25 per cent is around six. If he is 25 per cent, he will be quite happy. In my mind, Paul Scholes a phenomenal player, one of the best players I have ever seen playing in midfield and he gives so much to my club, I only can thank him for that, because the prestige of this club is based on people like him, so successful here."
It’s typical Mourinho. To be fair, it’s impossible to criticize Scholes as a player, so he’s turning his hand by comparing his own success as a manager. Mourinho was pressed by the reporter, but he shouldn’t get in to petty squibbles. Then again, it makes it interesting for us viewers.
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What do you buy the golfer who has everything? A short game!
Scholes was great as a player but he needs to try management before criticizing Mourinho. Look what happened to Gary Neville..
True enough. But life as a pundit is much cosier than managing.
This has always been a problem in football . No one of these matters really care for teams but rather making money for the bosses .
Personal opinion.
Fair enough
Indeed.