World Cup 2018: Jose Mourinho insists Raheem Sterling ‘did not have a good World Cup’ and would have gone for Welbeck instead yesterday
Sterling has polarised opinion among Three Lions fans during the tournament but the Manchester United boss reckons he should have been dropped for Belgium play-off defeat
JOSE MOURINHO has blasted Raheem Sterling’s World Cup performances and believes the England star did not have a good tournament.
The Manchester City attacker started six matches in Russia and was only rotated for the final group game against Belgium.
The 23-year-old polarised opinion among Three Lions fans this summer, but despite not scoring in the tournament and no England goal since 2015, boss Gareth Southgate still backed him to the hilt.
But the United boss is having none of it, saying Sterling should have been dropped for the third-place play-off defeat to the Red Devils.
And his comments about the England man could make interesting reading for City chief Pep Guardiola.
Mourinho told Russia Today: “A little bit surprising for me is Sterling in the team because he did not have a good World Cup.
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“He didn’t have a good enough World Cup to be chosen for a match in front of (Jamie) Vardy, (Danny) Welbeck and (Marcus)Rashford – people with probably better conditions from a physical and psychological point of view to start the game."
Sterling was hauled off at half-time against Roberto Martinez's side and England improved after the interval.
And Mourinho reckoned his man Rashford brought something fresh to the Three Lions attack.
He added: “They made changes that improved the team.
“The team was more dynamic in the second half.
“Some good chances, (Eric) Dier arriving in that position.
“He’s a No.6, a defensive midfielder, to arrive in that position is an extra thing.
“John Stones, Harry Maguire coming with the ball into midfield and giving some freedom to other players."
Sterling was preferred to Marcus Rashford up front throughout the tournament and Mourinho gave a mixed assessment of the Manchester United youngster after yesterday's game.
He said: “Rashford, I don’t say quality because he didn’t have many quality situations – but his happiness, his youth, his movement, gave a good dynamic to the team too. England was better in the second half.”