Jose Mourinho tells journalist to ‘stop crying’ ahead of Man Utd clash

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho clashed with journalists ahead of his reunion with Manchester United this week.

After a morale-boosting win over Brentford on Saturday, United head to Turkey on Thursday for a hugely significant Europa League fixture having dropped points from winning positions in their first two games.

Mourinho was appointed Fenerbahce boss in the summer after being sacked by Roma at the start of the year. The Istanbul giants were held to a 2-2 draw against Samsunspor on Sunday night, a result that leaves them eight points behind league leaders Galatasaray.

In his post-match press conference, Mourinho was asked why he decided not to start Irfan Can Kahveci, with the Turkey international coming on at the hour mark.

Former Southampton and Ajax star Dusan Tadic was among those to start in attack ahead of him with the Portuguese urging reporters to ‘stop crying’ over his selection decisions.

‘I expected these questions, because you ask them every week now,’ Mourinho said. ‘You keep crying about players who don’t play. You could also ask why goalkeeper Irfan Egribayat isn’t playing or why Cenk Tosun isn’t playing.

‘I’m not going to explain in front of the camera why one player plays and the other doesn’t. I stand by my choices.

‘What I can tell you is that Tadic has been our best player in the last few games. Not only because of his goals, but also because of the way he keeps the balance and organises our team.’

Mourinho added: ‘I want to congratulate Samsunspor and my fellow coach: they have a very well-organised team.

‘I don’t know how much impact this loss of points will have at the end of the season, because I don’t have a crystal ball with me.’

Erik ten Hag meanwhile has welcomed this week’s showdown with one of his predecessors.

‘I really enjoy to face him, to play against him,’ the Dutchman said of Mourinho on Sunday. ‘He always has good teams and he is a winner. He has won so many trophies and, I think, is an example for many managers. So I really enjoy to play against him.’