Jose Mourinho has responded to Marcus Rashford’s claim that the Portuguese had taught them how to win penalties during his spell at Old Trafford.
United’s penalty claim has been trending upwards in the English Premier League as few coaches have insisted that the Red Devils are being treated with preference when it comes to match officiating.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have been awarded 27 penalties in 118 games in all competitions under the Norwegian boss, according to Opta, which is in sharp contrast with when Mourinho tutored the side [19 in 143 games].
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old as quoted by Sportsbible saying: “I remember when Jose was manager, there were five or six times where I should’ve had a penalty.
“Jose ended up saying to me if you’re not savvy about the way you do it then you’re not going to get it.
“After that we started to get a few. In terms of development, you have to learn it and understand it.”
In response, to Rashford’s claim, Mourinho provided a statistical evidence: “Stats,” replied Mourinho. “Go to Opta, go to my history as a manager in my more or less 10 Premier League seasons. Compare numbers and take your conclusions.
“It’s not an attacking player that is savvy. The suggestion means something that I hate. The good attacking players attack defenders, and the defenders make or don’t make penalties.
“If you dive it’s a yellow card, or it should be a yellow card and should be criticised by the football world.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp seemed to have dug up grave pictures after the 57-year-old German stated that United had been given “more penalties in two years than he had in five and a half years” as Liverpool manager.
But, Rashford, who received the Football Writers’ Association 2021 tribute award on Thursday believes the connection he has established with fellow frontmen Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes make United “more dangerous” and deadlier in front of goal.
“Ultimately we’re more dangerous, we can score goals at any time, but we can do much better.
“I believe it’s still the start of something which can go on to be an unbelievable connection.
“The forward line in general which we have – we can play in so many different ways, in different positions with different personnel.
He continued: “As a forward line, we want to go and score goals,” Rashford said. “When you’re making runs in behind or you’re dribbling with the ball and if you see a challenge coming, you don’t want to get tackled because you’re looking at an opportunity to score.
“There’s no way you’re going to let somebody take the ball off you, so for me it’s just a case of us wanting to score goals and the teams wanting to defend goals – and you know, penalties can happen.”
