Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has revealed a lack of centre-backs forced him to play defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic in defence though he would rather have called upon his namesake and club great Vidic.
The experienced Red Devils manager took his Red Devils side to St Mary’s Stadium with a host of central defenders missing which left him with no option but to improvise.
Mourinho’s dilemma. Five things you need to know…
- No fewer than three centre-back are missing for United: Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelöf and Chris Smalling all ruled out through injury.
- Smalling and Phil Jones started in their 1-0 win over Swiss club Young Boys in the Champions League earlier this week.
- Nemanja Vidic, who joined United in January 2005, ultimately featured across 300 matches for the Red Devils in all competitions.
- United have won just one of their four league matches on the road prior to facing Southampton.
- The Red Devils have lost at Brighton, West Ham and Manchester City in the Premier League this season.
The move would be the second time Mourinho has fielded a midfielder in central defence this season with the previous occasion seeing Scott McTominay part of a back-three alongside Victor Lindelöf and Chris Smalling in United’s humbling 3-1 defeat at West Ham in September.
“I have only one [centre-back],” Mourinho told BT Sport.
“I would like to have Nemanja Vidic, but no Nemanja Vidic only Nemanja Matic – he’s a midfield player. [Chris] Smalling has a pain in his foot so he is not available to play, Eric Bailly has a pain in his back so he’s not available to play.
“[Marcos] Rojo trained yesterday for the first time with the group – he’s not ready to play, he’s ready to help. [Victor] Lindelof has an important injury. Only centre-back we have available to play is Phil [Jones].”
Fans confused by Matic inclusion
It’s fair to say Manchester United fans have seen better days. The club’s plight of late has greatly frustrated supporters with Mourinho’s latest gambit leading to mass confusion.
If only we had a fit manager
— Flytanx (@Flytanx_) December 1, 2018
And United have zero managers fit to run this club
— TJ (@UtdTJ) December 1, 2018
Obviously a none-fit centre back. Jesus christ it isnt rocket science.
— JAMES (@justjames87) December 1, 2018
Why's Rojo on the bench then?
— Kian Wilkinson (@kianmufcwilko) December 1, 2018
Would rather get academy cb than matic
— 🤷 (@weirdo_yeo) December 1, 2018
Still don’t explain why mctominay is in the team
— Brendan (@brendan_park98) December 1, 2018
Nothing is wrong with bailly
— ARØŒ (@AroTobs) December 1, 2018
Shambolic team selection. Sack him, this is too painful
— KevtheRed (@Kstandutd) December 1, 2018
Resting Martial but not Matic? Smh…
— ZizouReem (@Zizoureem) December 1, 2018
It’s mctominay at CB not matic, so we have a midfield of fellaini matic herrera and pogba, with no wingers and Ashley young right back
— Manchester_United (@hc_mufc2) December 1, 2018
wtf I played Matic as a CB on fifa last night lmao
— – (@MagicalLabile) December 1, 2018
Even LVG was better than this. Instead of lumping Matic / McTominay at CB if no one was available he would’ve promoted a reserve CB there and given youth a chance like he did with Rashford.
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) December 1, 2018
Mourinho promises Dalot will start and doesn't it…
Drops Martial
And plays McTominay over a 50 million signing
Keeps playing Matic
RT if you're stunned by Jose's mindset— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) December 1, 2018
That’s the final straw for me. Imagine dropping Anthony Martial, the kid who’s single handedly saved him his job, starting McTominay over Fred whilst opting for Nemanja Matic at CB. There’s me sitting here wondering why the board chose not to back him, I’ve found my answer.
— Josh (@ManUnitedMedia) December 1, 2018
To make a bad situation worse the aforementioned Matic was the guilty party for Southampton’s opener scored by Stuart Armstrong who continues his sparklingly form.
That's why you don't play Nemanja Matic at centre-back. #SOUMUN
— Raza Awais (@MRazaAwais) December 1, 2018
United inside the opening 20 minutes found themselves 2-0 down, a stunning Cedric Soares free-kick doubling Mark Hughes’ men’s lead, but they’d pull one back 11 minutes before half-time through Romelu Lukaku.
The post ‘No Vidic, only Matic’ – Mourinho explains his Man Utd team selection appeared first on Squawka News.
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