Big Blow: Mourinho in trouble, may face strict FA action!!
Oct 17, 2016 at 1:16 PM
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is less than 5 months into his new job and could already be in trouble with the Football Association.
The manager was speaking ahead of his side’s huge Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Monday night and added his opinion to the controversy surrounding the referee for the night Anthony Taylor.
Taylor’s close proximity to Manchester has caused some controversy in relation to FA guidelines on partiality, and although the 37-year-old has made it quite clear that he has no affinity towards Man United, many (including former Professional Game Match Officials Limited head Keith Hackett) have questioned the wisdom and logic in giving him this match.
Mourinho believes that this controversy could have an effect on his mindset, but initially said he wouldn’t comment on it:
“I don’t want to say anything about it,”
before then commenting on it:
“I have my view but I understood and I learned if you want to call it, a lesson by being so many times punished by some words.
“I think Mr. Taylor is a very good referee but I think somebody with intention is putting such a pressure on him that I feel that it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance.”
Several sources have reported that the FA are to look into Mourinho’s comments and, if deemed necessary, will look for the former Chelsea and Inter boss to explain them.
FA looking into comments Jose Mourinho has made about referee Anthony Taylor before tomorrow game between Liverpool and Manchester United
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) October 16, 2016
Managers are strictly prohibited from talking about the referee prior to a match, and while Mourinho may feel like he has said nothing wrong, the FA may see it differently.
All in all, Taylor will be firmly under the spotlight at Anfield on Monday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side go into the Anfield fixture off the back of a barnstorming run of form, with five straight wins in all competitions.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils face their arch-rivals in the midst of turmoil, after only three wins in their last seven matches and Wayne Rooney’s poor form has threatened to derail the whole club.
Jose Mourinho decided to drop the 30-year-old towards the end of September and United’s captain was then left out of Gareth Southgate’s England side which faced Slovenia.
Rooney will likely find himself on the bench once again against the Reds on Monday.