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Keep it private, Jose

Diego Forlan blasts Jose Mourinho over his management style following criticism of Luke Shaw, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard

Ex-Man Utd and Uruguay striker reckons it is fine for it to happen behind closed doors but not in public

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DIEGO FORLAN has blasted Jose Mourinho for criticising players in public - after the Portuguese roasted Luke Shaw, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard.

The Manchester United manager today came out backing Wayne Rooney, but had harsh words for criticism of 'Einsteins' picking apart his methods.

 Diego Forlan played for Manchester United between 2002 and 2004
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Diego Forlan played for Manchester United between 2002 and 2004Credit: PA:Press Association
 Jose Mourinho criticised Luke Shaw last week
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Jose Mourinho criticised Luke Shaw last weekCredit: Getty Images
 Luke Shaw was criticised by Jose Mourinho last weekend
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Luke Shaw was criticised by Jose Mourinho last weekendCredit: Getty Images

But former Old Trafford ace Forlan, disagrees with any boss singling out a player.

He said: "It's not correct for a manager to criticise a player in public. Yes, I'm a player, but I have been in football long enough to know that criticism should be kept private.

"There is an increasing demand in football for access to know everything about the lives of players.

"The players themselves can be complicit. They post pictures of themselves holidaying on social media as the lines between their private and public lives become blurred.

"Burglars are happy about such postings because they can see when footballers are away.

"Fans want information and we have to move with the times, but some things should still remain private - just as they should in any company of any relationship."

Left back Shaw was singled out for criticism following errors in United's defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road last Sunday.

Lingard and Mkhitaryan had terrible games in the defeat to Manchester City - and were singled out by their boss.

But ex-Villarreal and Atletico Madrid striker Forlan is sure venting your spleen is the wrong way to go.

He told : "When a manager is then critical, no good can come from a player being criticised by his boss in public.

 Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a difficult game against Manchester City
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a difficult game against Manchester CityCredit: Reuters

"I have heard it said that it can be a motivating factor. Nonsense.

"Maybe for a tiny percentage of players, but would you like to be publicly criticised by your boss? Would you like to be singled out, especially when you have done your best, as all professional footballers do. No player sets out to make a mistake.

"For me, it is fine to be shouted at in private by your manager, fine to be dropped, too, if you have let the side down by playing badly or not being as good as another player, but public criticism is not constructive.

"It gives the media and enemies of the club more ammunition to fire at you."

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