Mourinho discusses criticism from ‘Eintseins’, rules out Martial

Matt Stead

Jose Mourinho insists he has not been affected by criticism from the media following Manchester United’s recent run of poor results.

United’s midweek victory over Northampton in the League Cup ended a run of three-consecutive defeats, a string of results which led to plenty of scrutiny of Mourinho.

“I am not upset with anything, I am such a lucky guy that I can’t be upset with anything,” he said.

“The only thing that upsets me is the criticism to my players, my players are my players, I should protect them.

“I can’t protect my players from you [the media], it is a feeling of frustration. With the Einsteins is fine, they need money.

“I am a good man, I am a man of good will, I do a lot of charity so why not feed the Einsteins as well.”

Despite admitting he needs to protect his players, Mourinho has publicly criticised Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Luke Shaw in the past month.

However, the former Chelsea boss has defended his own actions.

“It’s a learning process, you make a mistake, especially individual mistakes then you have to learn,” he said.

“A team that works to a game plan during the week, you try to identify agreements between us and then individual mistake punishes you.

“Criticism is part of the process, it helps them learn how to deal with criticism from you (the media).”

Meanwhile, Mourinho ruled Anthony Martial out of the visit of Leicester on Saturday, although Shaw and Mkhitaryan will be available.

Martial suffered concussion against Watford, and was controversially allowed to play on, but the 53-year-old says the forward will miss out with a calf problem.

“Martial is not available. He is out because of the contusion in the calf and ankle area. I think you know when that happened,” he added,

“You guys are confusing concussion with contusion.”