Nemanja Matic says Jose Mourinho is ‘difficult’ to work under because the Manchester United manager is so demanding. The Red Devils boss publicly berated some of his players following his side’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Brighton.

It came just days after Manchester United were eliminated from the Champions League by Sevilla.

Only Nemanja Matic, who set up the opening goal for Romelu Lukaku before scoring a late second himself, and youngster Scott McTominay were spared massive criticism.

And after Mourinho claimed he was looking for a response to the midweek Champions League exit to Sevilla, the Portuguese veteran even claimed some of his players lacked the personality and desire to play for the famous Premier League club.

He said,

 

‘It is very difficult to work with him because he always wants more and more,’ said Matic after starring in the FA Cup win over Brighton.

‘Even if you win the league he wants to win again next season. He is like this and the players need to be ready for that.

‘He is special because he wants to win always. You can see when we lose a game he cannot accept that. Probably that’s why he won more than 20 trophies in his life.

‘Because at this high level, at Manchester United and where I used to play at Chelsea, the players need to be ready for that because the pressure is big.

Everyone expects you to win every game. Obviously, it is not possible, but supporters always expect. It doesn’t matter if you are tired or not, supporters want high-quality football. It is normal.’ Matic seems to thrive in the environment created by Mourinho, and it is no surprise that he has been singled out for praise by the manager after establishing himself as United’s key midfield player this season.

‘I like it when the manager always wants better and better, so you have to improve always,’ he added. ‘I like this kind of work, this kind of relationship. I’m happy.

‘I think he respects what I’m doing every day, not only in the game but in the training sessions. I’m happy for that and I will continue like this.’