Manchester United have started 2018 with a win.
After consecutive draws to Leicester, Burnley and Southampton, they followed a dull first half display at Goodison Park by beating Everton, 2-0.
Anthony Martial curled home an opener from the edge of the Everton box as United dominated the early stages of the second half. After Sam Allardyce’s side appeared to be stirring with 20 minutes still to play, a well-taken second from Jesse Lingard killed off any hopes of a comeback, making absolutely sure of the points for the visitors.
Clearly, the performance and result will have pleased Jose Mourinho who has been widely criticised by the media following recent results. Paul Scholes, on pundit duty for BT Sport, has been one of those to voice his concerns about the way in which United have played lately – also questioning Paul Pogba after the 0-0 draw with Southampton on New Year’s Eve.
Speaking to reporters after the win at Goodison, Mourinho hit back at Scholes. As revealed by the tweets below from the BBC’s Phil McNulty, the United manager suggested the club legend only criticised players. He followed this by saying that Scholes “will be in history as a phenomenal player – not as a pundit.” He then added: “If one day Paul decides to become a manager I wish that he can be 25% as successful as myself.”
Mourinho on Scholes criticism of Pogba: "The only thing Paul Scholes does is criticise. I don't think he comment. He criticises – which is a different thing."
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) January 1, 2018
More Mourinho on Scholes: "Scholes will be in history as a phenomenal player – not as a pundit. If one day Paul decides to become a manager I wish that he can be 25% as successful as myself."
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) January 1, 2018
Finally, Mourinho appeared to suggest that Scholes’ criticism of Pogba was a result of some form of envy at the money the French midfielder has earned in his career compared to him.
Mourinho was very generous about Scholes as a player but added: "It is not Paul Pogba's fault that he made much more money than Paul Scholes. It's just the way football is."
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) January 1, 2018
United face Derby County in the FA Cup third round on Friday night, returning to Premier League action with the visit of Stoke City nine days later.
