Jose Mourinho continues his war of words with Gary Neville

Jose Mourinho hits out at Gary Neville’s half-time comments on Marcus Rashford
Neville suggested that Rashford was lucky to still be on the pitch despite goals
Mourinho jokes that he almost subbed Rashford at half-time because of Neville

By Joe Bernstein For Mail On Sunday

Published: 18:04 GMT, 10 March 2018 | Updated: 00:00 GMT, 11 March 2018

Jose Mourinho has reignited his row with Gary Neville by quipping that he considered substituting goalscoring hero Marcus Rashford at half-time against Liverpool because of comments made by the TV pundit.

Rashford scored twice in the first half in United’s 2-1 win but former Manchester United legend Gary Neville said during the interval live on Sky Sports that the forward could have been sent off.

Neville thought Rashford could have been punished for a challenge on Trent Alexander-Arnold having already been booked for fouling James Milner.

Jose Mourinho says Gary Neville made him think about subbing Marcus Rashford at half-time

GARY NEVILLE’S COMMENT

‘I have to say about thirty seconds before that, Marcus Rashford did this. He’s got to be very careful, Marcus Rashford. ‘

‘At half-time someone told me Gary Neville was asking for Marcus Rashford to get a red card.

‘I was scared because I thought the referee was watching and would be influenced by Gary,’ said Mourinho who eventually took his scorer off after 70 minutes.

‘Where Liverpool brought a lot of players to the central area of the pitch, Marcus was defending the corridor (against Alexander-Arnold).

‘With the yellow card and the pressure of Gary, I decided to make a change and bring a player on who could make a foul.’

Neville claimed Rashford was fortunate to still be on the pitch after several first half fouls

Rashford got booked for a foul on James Milner and Neville said he could have had a second

While tongue-in-cheek, the comments from Mourinho highlight the strained relationship he has with Neville.

The United manager hit out at the pundit earlier this week after Neville had called Paul Pogba a park player because he goes where he wants on the pitch.

Rashford took his chance of a rare start for United by scoring his 12th and 13th goals of the season as a replacement for Pogba who suffered a contact injury with an unnamed team-mate in the final minute of Friday’s training session.

MOURINHO vs NEVILLE

October 31 – Gary Neville warns Manchester United fans they must get used to Jose Mourinho’s ‘negative’ tactics.

January 4 – Neville intervenes with Mourinho’s spat with club legend Paul Scholes after comments were made about Paul Pogba. Neville claimed on Sky Sports he found the exchange ‘quite funny’.

March 6 – Mourinho reacts to Neville’s rant about Pogba’s relaxed playing style, comparing him to a ‘park player’.

Neville also adds he can see why Mourinho had dropped the Frenchman.

March 9 – Mourinho insists Neville and Graeme Souness’ couldn’t resolve their own problems as managers: Neville responds on Twitter.

March 10 – Mourinho claims Neville’s comments about Marcus Rashford on Sky Sports influenced his decision to sub him before he could complete his hat-trick. Neville reacts again on Twitter using emoji’s.

Rashford was eventually subbed in the 70th minute after his two goals saw Man United win

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