Mourinho: The Young Boys games are fundamental
Jose Mourinho is currently preparing his Manchester United team for the UEFA Champions League Group H opener against Swiss champions Young Boys. Before the game, the boss spoke to us about his plans, confidence in the group and a possible first-team debut…
Is the artificial pitch the reason why you decided to train here in Switzerland?
“We needed a little bit of a feeling. I didn't want the players to arrive without the feeling. We came for a short session, but mainly for the players to have a contact with the pitch before the game.”
Is it a concern because we are not used to it?
"I don't want to speak about it because I don't want to give the players any excuse, or any reason, before the match. I prefer just to say that it is different. We have to go for it."
“We needed a little bit of a feeling. I didn't want the players to arrive without the feeling. We came for a short session, but mainly for the players to have a contact with the pitch before the game.”
Is it a concern because we are not used to it?
"I don't want to speak about it because I don't want to give the players any excuse, or any reason, before the match. I prefer just to say that it is different. We have to go for it."
Inside training
GalleryExclusive images of the squad getting used to the artificial surface at Stade de Suisse.
Confidence must be high after two away wins at Burnley and Watford?
"Yes, confidence is high, we are in a good moment, we won two difficult away matches, building on top of the pressure of two defeats before that. But I would say that against Tottenham we played really well, the team is playing really well, it is creating lots of chances. We have also found more stability also in our defensive game and the Champions League is always the Champions League. The start of the comp is a motivational moment for everyone so I think the players are ready."
"Yes, confidence is high, we are in a good moment, we won two difficult away matches, building on top of the pressure of two defeats before that. But I would say that against Tottenham we played really well, the team is playing really well, it is creating lots of chances. We have also found more stability also in our defensive game and the Champions League is always the Champions League. The start of the comp is a motivational moment for everyone so I think the players are ready."
Going for the Bern Video
Going for the Bern
Our lads have trained in front of the cameras in the Swiss capital...
Young Boys are dominant in their league – what do you expect from them?
"We lost against Basle and, even a few years ago, Basle also won against Manchester United. Young Boys, I think the distance to Basle last season was 15 points. They broke their supremacy and this season they only have victories in the league. They qualified in the play-offs, so they are a difficult team. We cannot follow the idea that this group is to be discussed between us, Valencia and Juventus because Young Boys can be important. The matches against Young Boys can be fundamental in the discussion of the group.”
"We lost against Basle and, even a few years ago, Basle also won against Manchester United. Young Boys, I think the distance to Basle last season was 15 points. They broke their supremacy and this season they only have victories in the league. They qualified in the play-offs, so they are a difficult team. We cannot follow the idea that this group is to be discussed between us, Valencia and Juventus because Young Boys can be important. The matches against Young Boys can be fundamental in the discussion of the group.”
'Dalot has a chance to play' Video
'Dalot has a chance to play'
Jose gives an update on his squad, including whether Diogo Dalot could make his debut against Young Boys…
Diogo Dalot is here with the group – do you feel he is ready to be involved?
“He played his second match with the Under-23s, he has been training with the group for almost a month, he played 90 minutes a few days ago, we believe he is a strong boy, he is 19 years old, he is fit and we believe he is ready. Even without Antonio Valencia, who we decided to protect from this hard surface that is not the best thing for his knee, we still have Diogo, Darmian, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young, so the squad is ready on the full-back position.”
“He played his second match with the Under-23s, he has been training with the group for almost a month, he played 90 minutes a few days ago, we believe he is a strong boy, he is 19 years old, he is fit and we believe he is ready. Even without Antonio Valencia, who we decided to protect from this hard surface that is not the best thing for his knee, we still have Diogo, Darmian, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young, so the squad is ready on the full-back position.”
Back to Top