Jose Mourinho has criticised Manchester United supporters for the third time in four days by implying they didn’t enjoy the 1-0 win over Tottenham enough.
In his programme notes ahead of Tuesday’s game against Benfica, Mourinho took the opportunity to aim a passive-aggressive dig towards his own supporters.
‘I hope that you enjoy the game more than some of you did against Tottenham’, Mourinho wrote in the United Review, suggesting the Old Trafford fans weren’t fully behind the team against Spurs.
Jose Mourinho has aimed a passive-aggressive dig at Manchester United’s supporters
The comment comes after Mourinho twice criticised United supporters for their treatment of Romelu Lukaku in the aftermath of Saturday’s win.
After the match, Mourinho told fans to show more support to Lukaku after supporters jeered the decision to substitute off Marcus Rashford for Anthony Martial.
Mourinho interpreted the boos as a slight on Lukaku, with United supporters preferring the Belgian to be sacrificed rather than local boy Rashford.
‘I would like the supporters to explain to me why they don’t support [Lukaku] so much because he gives everything,’ Mourinho said post-match.
‘I think it is not fair when scoring the goal or not scoring the goal makes the whole difference. I don’t think it is fair at all. So I’m a bit disappointed – but not with him. With him, I’m very pleased’.
Mourinho defended Romelu Lukaku saying the United striker was playing ‘extremely well’
Mourinho made the comment in the United Review before Tuesday’s game against Benfica
Lukaku went on to set up the late winner for Martial against Spurs and Mourinho responded by raising a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture which he later explained was aimed towards his critics.
And in Monday’s press conference Mourinho described Lukaku as ‘untouchable’ and said he deserves more respect from the fans.
‘For me, [Lukaku] is untouchable in my team and I think he should be untouchable in the support and the respect he deserves from the fans.
‘Look, the fans are the fans and I also said that the fans pay for their tickets and are free to express themselves the way they want to express. But my job is to protect my players when I feel they deserve it.
Mourinho put a finger to his lips and hushed his critics after Anthony Martial’s winning goal
‘And Romelu always deserves it because what he does for the team is fantastic’.
After seven goals in his first seven league games for United since joining from Everton, Lukaku has failed to score in his past five matches in all competitions.
United take on Mourinho’s former team Benfica at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Champions League.
The Red Devils beat Benfica 1-0 in the away fixture when Rashford’s free-kick was inexplicably carried over the line by 18-year-old goalkeeper Mile Svilar.