The Portuguese man and the current Manchester United’s head coach Jose Mourinho has recently admitted that he wants players that are willing to put their “bodies on the line”.
On Sunday Mourinho’s side Manchester United eased past Swansea 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium, where Paul Pogba scored the opener before the former Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice to end his six-game goalless run.
But the Portuguese manager was forced to change the defence tactics for the trip to Liberty Stadium, because of the duo Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw late withdrawals, while Blind was only fit enough for the bench.
And so after the match, without directly talking about any individuals, Mourinho warned his squad that he only wants players that are willing to put their "bodies on the line".
As Mourinho said,
“Smalling doesn't feel that he can play 100 per cent with his pain.”
"Luke Shaw told me this morning that he was not in the condition to play so we had to build a defensive line."
"There is a difference between the brave that will be there at any cost and the ones that a little pain can make a difference,"
"Great football people – great sportspeople – many, many times play without being 100 per cent. For the team you have to do anything – that's my way of saying. If one day I meet the big ones [players] of this club who have had great success – for sure, they are going to tell me that many times they put their bodies on the line even with pains everywhere.”
"It's not just the players but it's the people that surround the players. It will take time to change [the mentality] but with the help of players like Phil Jones, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney, it will be a possible mission."
Mourinho used the 24-year-old Phil Jones as an example of the type of characters he wants at Old Trafford. The Manchester United defender was making his first senior appearance for United since January 2 after struggling with knee problems. Alongside the 35-year-old midfielder Michael Carrick, while Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young were also brought in.
“I was really happy for the players who were willing to go inside and give everything, especially some of them who had doubtful condition, like Phil Jones,"
"He was a brave guy to be ready to play for 90 minutes after such a long period without even training.” Mourinho said.
"Ashley Young played in a position that's not even his position – they are just two names. I could also say Paul Pogba coming back from a painful situation. I'm really happy with the performance." He concluded.