Jose Mourinho speaking passionately during his Manchester United tenure
It’s no secret that Jose Mourinho’s time at Manchester United was turbulent, but fresh revelations shed even more light on just how volatile the former manager’s reign could be. According to a report from the Daily Mail’s ‘UNTOLD UNITED’ dossier, Mourinho once launched a brutal weight jibe at Luke Shaw, comparing the England international to “James Corden”, while also secretly plotting to sell French forward Anthony Martial.
Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford in 2016, tasked with restoring the glory days following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. While he delivered Community Shield, League Cup, and Europa League titles, his reign was fraught with internal friction, toxic dressing-room dynamics, and infamous public spats with high-profile players.
An Old Trafford insider described Mourinho’s tenure as a blend of brilliance and chaos:
“He tightens the group and breeds paranoia. Some players get broken and kicked out. But the idea with Jose was we would swallow the pill, put up with the chaos and at the same time get this monkey off our back and win the league. But it didn’t work. Again.”
The report cites inadequate recruitment, issues with individual players, and a fractured dressing-room culture as key reasons his tenure ultimately imploded. Former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward reportedly underestimated the challenges Mourinho would bring.
One of the most startling revelations involves Mourinho targeting Luke Shaw over his weight. During a U.S. pre-season tour in 2018, while riding back on golf buggies in Los Angeles, Mourinho pointed at Shaw and jokingly quipped:
“I will have to go with James Corden.”
This came amidst a period where Mourinho was already embroiled in heated exchanges with other players, highlighting his publicly confrontational and often unpredictable management style.
While publicly appearing to support Anthony Martial, Mourinho allegedly told three reporters privately that he would “do everything” in his power to sell the French forward. This came shortly after a press conference where Martial’s future at the club was indirectly discussed.
Mourinho’s strategy seemed clear: maintain a strong public front while secretly planning changes behind the scenes. It reflects the manager’s dual approach of psychological games and tactical manipulation that defined much of his Old Trafford chapter.
Mourinho’s clashes weren’t limited to Shaw and Martial. His relationship with Paul Pogba mirrored historic confrontations, reminiscent of Fergie’s fallout with Beckham. He reportedly instigated a training-ground clash once cameras were rolling and dropped Pogba, praising replacement Scott McTominay as:
“A normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches, humble kid.”
Such public spats underscored Mourinho’s polarizing tenure and left fans, players, and staff navigating a high-pressure, unpredictable environment.
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United era remains one of football’s most memorable, controversial, and headline-grabbing managerial stints, and these revelations provide a fresh glimpse into just how intense life was at Old Trafford under the Special One.
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