Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 5y

Jose Mourinho on Manchester United trouble: 'I think some care more than others'

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- Jose Mourinho criticised some of his Manchester United players on Monday and said "some care more than others," following the club's poor run of form -- but denied his job was on the line. 

United lost 3-1 at West Ham on Saturday to make it the club's joint worst-ever start to a Premier League season. In the aftermath of the result at the London Stadium, sources told ESPN FC any link to Zinedine Zidane and the United job was "nonsense."

Mourinho, speaking ahead of United's Champions League clash with Valencia on Tuesday, refused to answer whether he had spoken to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward following the defeat to West Ham.

"That's a private matter, I don't ask you who your last phone call was with this morning," he said.

On United's plight this season, Mourinho added: "I think that some [players] care more than others.

"The reason why we don't win matches is the same as why we win matches. It's down to everybody. The performance on the pitch is down to many factors. 

"I see different reactions, but sometimes what you see is different from the inside. You see some people on the outside look like they haven't lost a game, but in training they are working hard."

Mourinho was also asked if his job was on the line following three defeats in United's opening seven Premier League fixtures. 

"No, I don't think so," he said.

Nemanja Matic spoke alongside Mourinho at the news conference and admitted United need to improve quickly during a difficult period for the club.

"Saturday was one of my worst games since I joined Man United, I look in the mirror and ask where I need to improve," Matic said.

"It's always difficult when you lose games and especially when you play for a big club that wants to win trophies. It's very hard but this is football, this is life. Everybody wants to do better, everyone is trying to resolve this situation.

"Of course when you play for Man United everyone expects that you win games. When you don't win a few games in a row there is attention on you. We will try to do everything to make this better and make our fans happy.

"On Saturday we didn't play well but we give our best, for sure the manager is going to tell us why we didn't play well. The game was really bad but everyone has responsibilities. I don't believe any player goes onto the pitch to not give his best."

Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo missed training ahead of the match against Valencia on Tuesday.

Lingard and Rojo missed the 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Saturday through injury. Young started that game, in which Herrera was an unused substitute, while Antonio Valencia also missed the trip to the London Stadium but took part in the session at Carrington on Monday. Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez were also present.

Mourinho kept a low profile in front of a huge media presence after the heated exchange between the manager and Pogba at training last week. Cameras and reporters are allowed to film the first 15 minutes of training on the day before a Champions League game under UEFA rules. 

United are top of their Champions League group after a 3-0 win at Swiss side Young Boys in their first game.

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