• Premier League

Jose: Blame Moyes for Rooney saga

ESPN staff
August 26, 2013
Jose Mourinho says David Moyes has brought the Wayne Rooney transfer saga upon himself © Getty Images
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Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United manager David Moyes is to blame for the transfer saga surrounding Wayne Rooney.

Mourinho, speaking ahead of Chelsea's clash with United on Monday, responded to questions about getting a fiery reception at Old Trafford because of his Rooney interest by putting the heat on Moyes.

"They are against me? But I didn't say [to Rooney] you will be a second-choice for me," Mourinho said. "And they are against me?

"We are trying to get a player that a manager told 'You will be a second option' for him. We are not going for [Robin] van Persie.

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"They don't have to be against me. If I say Ramires is a second option for me and he plays when Lampard is tired or injured, if someone comes here to get Ramires, nobody is upset."

When asked if Moyes was to blame for the ongoing transfer speculation around Rooney, Mourinho said: "Of course."

Mourinho, though, did attempt to smooth over his abrasive comments as he prepares to face an early Premier League title test at United.

"In every big team, I am not criticising, you have first options and second options, and those second options must be very good players," he said. "Of course big teams must have second choices. Big players too. The point is if the players are happy to accept that situation.

"It means they have a fantastic squad. Fantastic. I was playing against them last year. He [Rooney] was on the bench and he [Ferguson] was playing Van Persie, [Danny] Welbeck, [Shinji] Kagawa. The squad is amazing. So it is natural that some players have to be second-choice."

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