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Football

22nd Oct 2018

José Mourinho to launch investigation into how team was leaked before Chelsea clash

Manchester United's starting line up was leaked ahead of their game against Chelsea on Saturday, and Mourinho wants to find the culprit

Reuben Pinder

There appears to be a mole at Manchester United

José Mourinho will launch an investigation into how his starting XI was leaked before United’s clash against Chelsea on Saturday.

The United boss was reportedly fuming to wake up to news that his team had been leaked and was all over social media on Saturday morning.

Mourinho’s team were photographed on their journey down from Manchester to London ahead of the match on Friday, but the manager is desperate to find out how this information found its way out of the camp.

It’s not the first time his team information has been leaked ahead of a game in recent weeks – the same thing happened before United’s loss to West Ham, when Scott McTominay was deployed in a back three.

Only the coaching staff and players are aware of the manager’s team selection prior to a match until it is announced an hour before kick-off, meaning there must be a mole within the United camp.

Mourinho made the surprise decision to include Juan Mata in his midfield trio for the Chelsea clash, something he would not have wanted Chelsea to know about until the team was officially announced.

Nevertheless, United came within seconds of winning the game after Anthony Martial’s brace flipped the game on its head.

Ross Barkley’s late equaliser ensured that the points were shared, while also sparking some unsavoury scenes on the touchline, for which Chelsea coach Marco Ianni has been charged by the FA.