Mourinho on De Gea: The Manchester United manager was vocal about De Gea’s treatment, and suggested that he’s a victim of an agenda.
David De Gea hasn’t been at his best for the national team since he replaced Iker Casillas. The Manchester United goalkeeper had a dismal World Cup with Spain, and as he conceded the winner against Croatia in the Nations League, he was rested for Kepa Arrizabalaga in the friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Jose Mourinho has been defensive of his goalkeeper, who has been rock solid for Manchester United for many years. De Gea won the Golden Glove in the Premier League last season after keeping 19 clean sheets throughout the competition.
Now, the United manager has claimed that the consistent calls for De Gea to be dropped from the squad are orchestrated by a powerful figure, who wants to come back to the side. Various reports claim that the figure in question is Iker Casillas.
Casillas hasn’t been selected for Spain for over two years, but, the goalkeeper, 37, hasn’t announced his retirement yet. He continues to play for FC Porto and aims to make a comeback into the side. Here’s what Mourinho had to say:
Mourinho on De Gea situation:
Jose Mourinho fired shots at Iker Casillas, stating that De Gea is a victim of an agenda.
“But why criticism in Spain?” Mourinho began, talking about De Gea’s criticism in his country.
“Do you know? I know. Because there is somebody very powerful that is thinking about jumping [into the Spain team] again but I think it’s very difficult to jump when you have the best goalkeeper in the world in front of you.”
Mourinho suggested that the figure might not have an influence over Spain’s coach Luis Enrique, but is a very powerful figure in the national media. “Oh yes,” Mourinho said.
This is not the first time when Mourinho has talked about Casillas. The relationship between Mourinho and the former Real Madrid goalkeeper deteriorated during the Portuguese’s time at the Spanish club.
Casillas recently stated that he regretted being quiet about Mourinho, and should’ve ‘confronted’ him when he had the opportunity.
Mourinho, however, replied, “He [Casillas] confronted me and he did it in a way which no one does better than him – secretly,” as quoted by Spanish newspaper ‘Record.’
