Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Gareth Bale and Dele Alli are suffering the same problems that Paul Pogba did under Jose Mourinho.
The French midfielder famously had a number of high-profile spats with Mourinho during his time at United, and Ferdinand claims that Mourinho is repeating the same mistakes with both Bale and Alli.
It’s fair to say that Mourinho’s man management has been questionable as of late, and Ferdinand isn’t a fan of how he’s handled these two stars.
“Look at Pogba, that was a strange relationship. He was your talisman, your most expensive player, you’d think you’d want to build around that and make it as easy as possible to perform,” Ferdinand said.
“Bale’s come in and it’s the same. It doesn’t look like it’s an easy situation with him as the manager. He says things in the paper and makes it difficult and adds pressure.
“Dele Alli. He’s a talent, but some of the stuff you’ve seen said about him on the documentary etcetera, it’s hard to play for someone like that. Good managers make you want to run through brick walls for them.”
Ferdinand is right about Bale and Alli, but we have to admit that this is strange timing.
The point is valid, Mourinho has unnecessarily singled out both players on numerous occasions, but after Bale’s recent resurgence, it’s hard to argue that this is that big of an issue.
Of course, Bale didn’t get off to the best of starts upon his return to north London, but he’s looking sharper each week and his brace against Burnley was a triumphant return to form.
Alli still has a way to go, but even he’s looking better when he’s been coming off the bench lately.
Mourinho never really managed to get the best out of Pogba, and while he’s treating these two in a similar way, there are signs to suggest that it may work this time around.
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