Manchester United news: Jose Mourinho has 'lost the plot' and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 'a cone', says Christophe Dugarry
The 44-year-old, who now hosts a radio show in France, tore into the United set-up after the 20-time champions of England succumbed to three consecutive defeats
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Zlatan Ibrahimović is “a cone” and José Mourinho has “lost the plot” at Manchester United, Christophe Dugarry has said in an offbeat critique of the Portuguese’s fledgling spell in charge.
The former Barcelona striker, who now hosts a radio show in France, tore into the United set-up after the 20-time champions of England succumbed to three consecutive defeats – to City, Feyenoord and Watford – in the space of eight days last week.
The Independent believes that Old Trafford chiefs consider Mourinho as the closest resemblance they have had to Sir Alex Ferguson as a motivator despite the chronic slump in form which threatens to derail their early-season progress.
The former Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager has lashed out at his players following the three-folded dip in fortunes with Luke Shaw, the full-back suffering from a groin strain, coming in for public criticism at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
But Ibrahimović, too, has struggled since the international break after being handed an à la carte holiday during the week away following his retirement from international football in the wake of Sweden’s early Euro 2016 exit.
“Ibra is a cone. People talk about his stats ... but he’s a cone,” Dugarry told the RMC radio station. “When you see Zlatan's matches, it’s not possible to do that. It’s English football, it goes at 2,000 kilometres an hour.”
Reports have suggested that United’s players have been “shocked” at the ferocity of Mourinho’s verbal lashings this month, even in comparison with Ferguson’s famous “hairdryer treatment”, and Dugarry thinks he is losing touch.
The 53-year-old was ignominiously sacked by Chelsea in December last year after becoming embroiled in a succession of high-profile quarrels at Stamford Bridge, most notably with then club doctor Eva Carneiro.
Despite winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, EFL Cup and Premier League medals since, Dugarry believes Mourinho’s last tactical triumph came en route to his second Champions League title with Internazionale in 2010.
“I get the feeling Mourinho’s last tactical success was that Champions League game between Inter Milan and Barcelona,” he continued, citing Inter’s two-legged semi-final success in Europe six years ago.
The Frenchman, who won the World Cup with his country as a player in 1998 and the European Championship two years later, added: “He’s won titles since, but I think he’s lost the plot. He believes he has become more important than the team.
“Tactically, I think he doesn't put anything in place. Apart from the players, who have changed, it’s the same organisation as last season under [Louis] van Gaal. He always blames the referee or their opponents’ good fortune. There is no self-criticism.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments