EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United players react to the firing of José Mourinho

One of the notable things about José Mourinho’s departure from Manchester United on Tuesday is how few of his former charges posted about it on social media. Usually, when a manager leaves a club, players — or their “people” — at least put out some kind of half-hearted sentiment expressing regret. The fact that as of yesterday only a handful have done so is telling. It seems that the multiple reports of Mourinho having lost the support “90%” of the squad have at least some truth to them.

Fortunately for readers of The Busby Babe, our man on the ground in Manchester has made his way into Carrington and secured EXCLUSIVE quotes from the players.

“I prefer not to speak. If I speak, I am in big trouble.” - Paul Pogba

“Am I afraid of failure? He is a specialist in failure. I’m not. So if one supposes he’s right and I’m afraid of failure, it’s because I don’t fail many times. So maybe he’s right. I’m not used to failing. But the reality is he’s a specialist because, [eighteen months] without a piece of silverware, that’s failure.” - Alexis Sánchez

“[God] must really think I’m a great guy.” - Anthony Martial

“I only talk about men, not of rude children.” - Fred

“One day somebody will punch you.” - Antonio Valencia

“I cannot compare the way he trains, the way he way he commits, the focus, the ambition. He is a long way behind.” - David de Gea

“I have nothing, nothing to say. Nothing, nothing to say. Nothing to say, I have nothing to say. Nothing to say, I am so sorry, I have nothing to say.” - Nemanja Matić

In addition to this exclusive and revealing sound bites, a few other players shared their thoughts online: