Jose Mourinho “taught me how to cheat… feign injury” – Insight on Man United manager’s will to win

 

It’s not everyday we get to write about famous actors at Sport Witness, but when we do, we make sure it’s worth your while.

The subject of our attention today is James McAvoy of X-Men fame, who gave an interview to So Foot this month about his love for football (he’s a Celtic supporter), and being taught how to simulate an injury by José Mourinho.

Yes, you read that correctly: the Manchester United manager taught Golden Globe nominee James McAvoy how to convincingly look injured on the pitch.

Managed by Mourinho, the man who broke his heart by beating Celtic with Porto during the 2003 UEFA Cup final, during a UNICEF charity game at Old Trafford, McAvoy recalls how the Special One got as many of his ‘squad’ to train for five days prior to the game, teaching them how to defend in the process.

On the manager himself, he said: “At first, all I could see was this arsehole who stole the European Cup, but he was with me, shouting at me, it was crazy. José especially taught me how to cheat! He advised me to stay in the centre circle and to feign injury three minutes from the end to win. So I simulated, and I rolled around like a sh*t.”

This, clearly unconvincing, demonstration didn’t fool Jamie Redknapp, who was on the opposing team, and the former Liverpool midfielder told McAvoy exactly what he thought of him.

The actor continued: “And Jamie Redknapp, who was playing for England, became all red and insulted me: ‘F*** you! You’re Scottish, I’m sure you bet on this game, arsehole!”. I just acted even more injured, it was great.”

A little insight in Mourinho’s tactics, there, by James McAvoy.