'Mourinho wants Smalling&Shaw out of Man Utd'

Forum 7 years ago

'Mourinho wants Smalling&Shaw out of Man Utd'

Former Celtic striker Andy Walker feels the manager's comments before and after the win over Swansea City underline his unhappiness with the defensive pair

Jose Mourinho is attempting to force Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw out of Manchester United, according to former Celtic striker Andy Walker.


The pair were absent from Sunday's 3-1 win over Swansea City, with Jose Mourinho telling MUTV before the game that both informed him they were not fit enough to play, before adding afterward that his squad must"put their bodies on the line".

Walker feels Mourinho's post-match comments were unsubtle messages to the pair and hint at his displeasure at their commitment after years of working with battle-hardened defenders.

"Look at the players he's used to working with.

John Terry, [Frank] Lampard, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, you can tell these guys are playing through the pain barriers,"he told Sky Sports .

"I think what it does tell you is he cannot trust Luke Shaw, he cannot trust Chris Smalling. When a big game comes along they won't be considered, because he's clearly trying to get them out of the club I think.


"Nobody is advocating that you have a hamstring injury and try to play through it. But the mentality to play with a knock or play with something uncomfortable, how many times has John Terry played through that under Mourinho?

"He's looking for a certain type of player.

Remember, it's early days in Jose's tenure as manager, he's just trying to shape the squad, and these transfer windows only come around twice a year, and I don't think he can trust Smalling or Shaw given his comments."