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Jose Mourinho dropped an ‘expletive-laden dressing-down’ on one ex-Manchester United talent in front of the ‘entire’ first-team squad during his time at Old Trafford.
The 61-year-old Portuguese manager was appointed Manchester United head coach in 2016 after former Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal was axed from the club.
Mourinho found silverware success during his spell at Old Trafford, including leading United to a Europa League and a League Cup with United in his debut season.
Following on from the 2016-17 campaign, the ‘Special One’ missed out on the FA Cup after a defeat to Chelsea and United finished second in the Premier League.
Mourinho’s spell at the Premier League club ended during the 2018-19 season, with the ‘Special One’ sacked in December 2018 after a poor run of results.
Mourinho’s reality check for ex-Man Utd talent
Angel Gomes came through the Manchester United youth academy and earned his Red Devils senior debut under former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
The 24-year-old former United talent made 10 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, but Gomes failed to score or register an assist for his former side.
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Gomes left Old Trafford in 2020 and found success at Lille, with the ex-United player securing regular playing time at the Ligue 1 club.
The Lille star was called up to the England national team in August by interim manager Lee Carsley and made his Three Lions debut in September.
Mourinho handed Gomes his debut in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, with the England international replacing Wayne Rooney late in the second half.
Speaking to The Times, Gomes said: “He didn’t think I had played up to standard to warrant a place in the first-team squad, and he just really let me know.
“At the time I was thinking, ‘Why has he done that in front of everyone? Could he not have pulled me to the side?’
“A few of the players came up to me and said, ‘He just wants a reaction from you, don’t let it faze you,’ but in that moment I didn’t want to hear anything.”
Gomes’ reaction to ex-Man Utd boss Mourinho
Angel Gomes is out of contract with Lille next summer and the Three Lions star has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Old Trafford on a free transfer.
The former United player admitted that he was on the verge of tears after Mourinho dropped his brutal criticism on him.
But Gomes has admitted that he has come to the realisation that the ‘Special One’ showed how much he “valued” him as a player by trying to pull out his best potential.
“I rushed to my room and rang my dad and my brother,” he continued.
“There’s not much they could say to me really. I was almost crying. I was really young.
“It wasn’t until I was older that I realised, with Mourinho, he’s always looking at ways to get more out of you.
“I think him doing that in front of everyone showed he valued me as a player. I probably needed it.”
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