Mourinho refuses to provide team news to MUTV

Jose Mourinho withheld team news from Manchester United’s in-house TV channel after admitting he will have “difficulty” putting a team together to face Arsenal in the Premier League. 

United go into Wednesday’s clash with the Gunners looking for a first league win since November 3 as they face a side sitting eight points above them in the table. 

Mourinho was without defenders Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly as they were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by lowly Southampton on Saturday, and he was asked by MUTV for an update on the injury crisis in defence. 

“I don’t want to update you,” the 55-year-old replied. 

Jose on Arsenal: “We will have a very difficult match. They are a good team who have had a good run of results. But in spite of our selection issues, they know it won’t be easy either.” #MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 4, 2018

“I would like Arsenal TV to ask the same questions but they don’t, they hide everything from the inside, so why should I answer to you.” 

Arsenal’s visit is the first of two home games in four days for United, who have won only three of their six Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford this season. 

The Red Devils entertain Fulham on Saturday and, with a trip to Liverpool coming off the back of their Champions League game at Valencia on December 12, Mourinho has made clear the difficulties he faces in picking a balanced XI ahead of such a busy period in the season. 

“We are going to be in difficulty again to build the team,” said Mourinho

“We are again going to have to make adaptations and compensations to try to give some balance to the team. 

“But then I believe we are again going to have the spirit to fight and to try to win the match.”