Jose Mourinho has claimed that Erik ten Hag has one thing at Manchester United which he lacked during his spell at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese boss remains the most successful manager of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United.
During his two-and-a-half-year spell in Manchester, Jose Mourinho scooped three trophies and delivered a second-place finish in the Premier League.
Mourinho managed to land a Europa League title, League Cup and Community Shield in his first year at Old Trafford.
Of course, his tenure ended on a sour note after fans grew tired of his pragmatic style and public fallouts with some of United’s key players.
Nevertheless, it’s difficult to argue against the fact that Mourinho has to go down as United’s best appointment since Ferguson’s exit in 2013.
While Ten Hag is currently facing an uncertain future after the arrival of INEOS, the Dutchman will have the opportunity to add an FA Cup to his League Cup in May.
But Mourinho has been reflecting on his spell with the Red Devils and feels Ten Hag has one thing at United that he lacked.
Mourinho makes Ten Hag claim
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mourinho opened up on his relationship with former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
He suggested that while he boasted a good understanding with Woodward on a personal level, the former United chief lacked when it came to footballing decisions.
“My relationship with [former chief executive] Ed Woodward was good,” Mourinho said. “Good as in the personal point of view. Even now we send an SMS.
“But from a professional point of view, it was not the best. I am who I am. I am a football man. Ed comes from a different background and what Ten Hag has in his time at Manchester United I didn’t have. I didn’t have that level of support. I didn’t have that level of trust.
“So I left sad, because I felt I was in the beginning of the process. In some moments, I felt if they trusted me and believed in my experience things could be different. There are still a couple of players still there I didn’t want five or six years ago. I think they represent a little bit what I consider not the best professional profile to a club of a certain dimension.
“But I did my job there. Time always tells the truth. I would love Manchester United to succeed.”
Mourinho’s record at United
Mourinho had well and truly run his race at United before his departure in December 2018.
He left the Red Devils 19 points off top spot during that season. His man management was called into question after a fallout with Paul Pogba and his pragmatic style received criticism quickly after results went against him.
Yet, his record at Old Trafford remains a decent one. The legendary manager boasted a 58 per cent win rate, winning 84 of his 144 games in the dugout at United.
But after £400 million spent on transfers, Mourinho was no closer to bringing the Red Devils back to the top of English football.
You may have some sympathy for the former Chelsea boss as he makes a great point about the lack of structure at United during his tenure.
Things are still far from ideal for Ten Hag though and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is already bringing about huge changes behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
The post ‘I left sad’: Jose Mourinho says there’s one thing Erik ten Hag has at Man United which he didn’t appeared first on TBR Football.