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

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.

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.