Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho has criticed the English Premier League’s timetable with 2018 World Cup.
World Cup 2018 has ended after the final which brings Croatia against France at Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday (15/7). While the Premier League Season 2018/2019 is scheduled to begin on August 10, 2018 that bring Manchester United face Leicester City.
According to Mourinho, 20 days off after appearing in the World Cup is not enough for his players to appear in the opening match. The Red Devils players performing at the 2018 World Cup are not fit for the season-opening match.
“We can not start the Premier League with our players who are at the World Cup. [The schedule] is shameful for Europe’s most important competition,” Mourinho Said.
In the 2018 World Cup 2018 many key players from Manchester United who appear to defend their respective countries. Including England squad, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young, who have just finished their third place match with Belgium. Also, Paul Pogba who won with France in the 2018 World Cup Final.
The coach nicknamed The Special One said he would give his players whose appear in World Cup for three weeks off before returning to the club. That is, the Reds Devil did not have much pre-season training time in preparation before the start of the Premier League competition.
“Three weeks off I think is the minimum time for their bodies and souls need before returning to soccer again but if before [their holidays are over] they’re back maybe I will not use them three to four months later,” Mourinho added.
Tight schedule is also considered Mourinho a big loss for the FA Community Shield. Because in the opening match between Chelsea who are FA Cup Winners and Manchester City Premier League winners last season will not be attractive because it will feature a second tier team because the main players are still in the holiday after the World Cup.
“I think three weeks are the minimum time they need, meaning they [players] will be back in the English Premier League just starting in. It’s difficult to understand, we have only one more week to prepare everything,” Mourinho said.