‘Manchester United players are losing ON PURPOSE to put more pressure on Jose Mourinho’, claims Old Trafford legend Paul Ince
The ex-England midfielder also slammed 'atrocious' Romelu Lukaku and understood fans not wanting to watch the Red Devils
Paul Ince has sensationally claimed Manchester United players are losing on purpose in a deliberate attempt to get Jose Mourinho sacked.
The Red Devils are enduring their worst start to a season in over half a century and have not enjoyed victory in their last four games in all competitions.
After being dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Championship side Derby County, a thrashing at the hands of West Ham United followed before a stoic performance in the Champions League against Valencia.
With Jose Mourinho's head firmly on the Old Trafford chopping board, Ince launched an impassioned defence for the Portuguese boss.
Writing in his column for , the former England captain made the outlandish claim his former side are no playing for their manager on purpose, just to get him sacked.
"It looks to me as though they’re not interested in playing for Jose Mourinho anymore," Ince wrote.
"When I played for the club, I saw it as an honour and although I didn’t always play well, no one could ever accuse me of not putting the work in.
"What I find disappointing is those players are happy for Mourinho to take the blame.
"They should be admitting the fact that they are responsible for the way they’re playing. They’re throwing him under the bus, despite putting in poor performances every week. And they’re getting away with it.
"Some players want Man United to get beat, just so there's pressure on Mourinho to be sacked."
While much has been made of the Pogba v Mourinho debacle, Ince was quick to share the blame amongst other culpable members of the squad.
With Alexis Sanchez collecting more than half a million pounds per week in wages and Romelu Lukaku misfiring as well, the 50-year-old wants the so-called superstars of this star-studded squad to start firing.
He continued: "Of course the fans were quiet at Old Trafford against Valencia! The players should be giving it their all, showing how up for it they are.
"Why would the supporters want to cheer the Man United side they're seeing at the moment? The Alexis Sanchez situation, for example. He was a world class player at Arsenal. Now, it’s hard to believe he’s even the same person.
"If I’m Ed Woodward, paying Sanchez top cash, I’d be asking why he hasn’t even been making the team in certain games. If I’m splashing that kind of money, I want to see what I’m getting for it.
"If the argument is that he has a bad attitude, then why does Mourinho still insist on playing Paul Pogba?
"There’s no one in the team has had such an openly negative attitude toward the club, yet he plays every game. This is Man United we’re talking about. Players must do better.
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"Romelu Lukaku has been atrocious, against Valencia he was terrible to watch. His scoring record is phenomenal, and he’s evidently talented, but he must contribute more.
"When you look at what someone like Sergio Aguero does for Man City – it doesn’t compare. He contributes to all aspects of the game.
"Lukaku has to have the ball right in front of him, and even then, he’s missing clear chances.