World Cup

Jose Mourinho criticises Raheem Sterling for poor World Cup

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 16 July 2018

Mourinho criticises Sterling for poor WC

Jose Mourinho insists that England attacker Raheem Sterling "did not have a good enough World Cup" to justify his selection against Belgium at the weekend.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that he "was a little bit surprised" by Raheem Sterling's inclusion for England's third-place playoff against Belgium.

The Manchester City wideman was handed his sixth World Cup start in St Petersburg on Saturday as the Three Lions slipped to a 2-0 loss.

Sterling was preferred to the likes of Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford and Danny Welbeck, with the trio being given limited playing time out in Russia.

Mourinho does not agree with Gareth Southgate's decision, as he believes that Sterling's form did not warrant a starting place.

"I was a little bit surprised that Sterling was in the team," he told Russia Today. "He did not have a good World Cup.

"He didn't have a good enough World Cup to be chosen for a match ahead of [Jamie] Vardy, [Danny] Welbeck, [Marcus] Rashford – people with probably better condition from a physical and psychological point of view."

Sterling failed to score in his six World Cup starts, while his only assist came in the 6-1 win over Panama during the group stage.