"Manchester United" players are afraid that criticism from their head coach Jose Mourinho personally and in press conferences undermines confidence and has negative consequences for the team's season.
The team was shocked not only by the Portuguese coach's public comments about Luke Shaw, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Jesse Lingard, but also by the personal criticism behind closed doors, wrote "The Telegraph" journalist James Ducker.
Sir Alex Ferguson's use of the "hairdryer" treatment was well known to everyone, but it is believed that Mourinho's outbursts are even more severe and not very popular with the players.
On Wednesday night, after three consecutive defeats, "Man Utd" will face "Northampton Town" from the third league in the "EFL" Cup, and over the weekend will host the "Premier" league champions "Leicester City."
The "United" hierarchy was not worried about Mourinho's tough nature and predisposition to controversy when they appointed him as the team's head coach in May, believing he had similar traits to the legendary Ferguson.
However, one of Ferguson's golden rules was not to criticize his players in the press, and although Mourinho still has support from the "Man Utd" decision-makers, his public outbursts resemble his last months at the "Chelsea" club, when he lost the players' confidence and was fired.
Several "United" senior players went to see then-coach Louis van Gaal to reduce the criticism of Shaw, as the Dutchman publicly rebuked the young defender.
The club's players were concerned that Van Gaal's behavior undermined Shaw's confidence, and it remains to be seen whether the players will take similar action now that Mourinho has criticized the Englishman after the defeat to "Watford."
Portugal was unhappy that Shaw was not closer to his opponent when he scored the goal that gave "Watford" the lead, but it was later revealed that the 21-year-old player had a head injury that could keep him out for up to three weeks.
Team captain Wayne Rooney has always been an important voice in the dressing room, but he himself is feeling immense pressure due to poor performance and could be benched.
manutd.lt
