JOSE MOURINHO IS adamant he had no other option but to play a weakened side against Tottenham as he feels Manchester United lack the strength in depth to fight in two competitions.
The United boss made eight changes to the team that saw off Celta Vigo in the Europa League on Thursday to set up a final against Ajax on May 24, and saw his side beaten 2-1 to end their top-four hopes.
United now need to beat Ajax in Stockholm to secure Champions League football for 2017-18, but Mourinho has stressed he did not gamble by throwing in the towel domestically.
“When people say we gambled by going to Europa League, we did not gamble,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“You cannot play two big competitions with 15 players. It was compulsory.
“The ones that needed to play 90 mins got to play, we got no injuries. At the moment, the Premier League matches are the ones we do not want to play.
“I do not want to think about next season – I want to think about the final we have to play in.”
United put in an underwhelming performance at White Hart Lane, but Mourinho was nonetheless pleased with what he saw.
“After 2-0 we had to bring a bit more quality to the team, we brought more balance,” Mourinho added.
“We put players back in the right positions. I am happy, I am fine with what we had in terms of individual performances.
“The two goals conceded were bad.”
In my opinion Irelands Greatest Player Best wishes Paul on your 54th
Got to say Looking great dont look a day over 40
A few years ago,Villa fan & violinist Nigel Kennedy was being interviewed on the radio about a new album he had out at the time.
The interviewer asked him if he religious because there was a track called God on it.No he replied its about Paul McGrath.
A few years ago,Villa fan & violinist Nigel Kennedy was being interviewed on the radio about a new album he had out at the time.
The interviewer asked him if he religious because there was a track called God on it.No he replied its about Paul McGrath.
To play and to consistently play brilliant til 37 all while being a Full time alcoholic just shows what a freak of nature he was!
As was Tony Adams, played a game half cut for Arsenal one day and got Man of the Match.
The Black Pearl of Inchicore.What a player he was a joy to watch
Without a doubt Irelands Greatest player. Nothing to do with the surname. Imagine how good he would of been if he was sober….mindblowing !!!
I can’t honestly remember him with dirty shorts…..he was that good
Picture 14 states it’s Staunton on the left and mcgoldrick on the right. It looks like kernaghan and Kelly to me..
Paul McGrath, one of the reasons why we should bring back to punt and put images of him all over them. Happy birthday Paul x
Happy birthday Paul
I was in the old West Stand on the day of his Ireland testimonial.
We had been told Paul was injured and wouldn’t be playing that day. He greeted the crowd before kick off with his children. He was wearing a black suit and it was disappointing that he wasn’t togged out at all. Towards the end of the game, the crowd got fed up with the match being played and a chant of “Ooh Ahh Paul McGrath” rose up from all parts of the ground and continued, consistently, for about 10 minutes.
Jack Charlton had clearly had enough and he went to the bench, had a word with Paul and sent him down the tunnel. God emerged a few minutes later with the green jersey on. The roar that rose up when he appeared on the sidelines to come on as a substitute was one of the loudest I’d heard at Lansdowne Road. I cried like a baby, I have no shame in admitting that. Even now, the memories bring me out in goosebumps.
Each time the ball was passed to him, he got an uproarious ovation. Some sod in the Premier League XI decided to score a goal. I think it was Dean Saunders. Despite his injury, Paul still flung himself full length in front of Saunders (?) to try to block the shot. I might be wrong, but I think the goal was greeted with a chorus of boos.
The affection which the Irish people still hold him in, despite his transgressions, is touching. He’s one of ours, I suppose. He was broken in many ways but always wanted to fight his demons and he always felt “safest” when playing football.
Happy Birthday Macca.
You are our footballing legend
Ooh ah
Ooh ah
Ooh ah Paul Mc Grath
Happy Birthday
Paul used to be in DIT Bolton Street every once in a while when I was back in college. He walked into the canteen with 500 engineering students and the place went mental. LIVING WALKING LEGEND!
Is picture 14 really in Orlando? June in Orlando is 40 degrees! And sure they were dying playing that game against Mexico there….
Would they be really wearing heavy tracksuit tops/coats?