Mourinho forcing his way to Old Trafford? Close friend slams Man Utd boss Van Gaal
JOSE MOURINHO'S close friend Eladio Parames has hit out at Louis van Gaal in a bid to push for the Portuguese's impending arrival at Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho is widely tipped to take over from Louis van Gaal
The former Chelsea manager is expected to take the reins at Old Trafford in the summer, although a formal agreement is yet to be reached.
And Parames, who worked with Mourinho at Benfica and remains a close pal, has leapt to the defence of the 53-year-old over claims he doesn't give youth a chance.
"Kurt Zouma was picked ahead of Gary Cahill and David Luiz and before that Carlo Cudicini had to give way to the young Petr Cech," told the Daily Star.
And with several youngsters making the debuts in recent weeks under Van Gaal, Parames believes that isn't a decision the Dutchman entertains - unlike Mourinho - and instead he has been forced to play younger members of the squad because of injuries.
Parames said: "Does anybody really think that Van Gaal would play with Donald Love if Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian and Phil Jones weren't injured?
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"Or does anybody believe that Rashford would play if Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Marouane Fellani weren't also in the Carrington Hospital?
"If there are 15 injuries in a 22-man squad, the club either plays with young boys from the academy or has to play seven-a-side!
"So, it's important to point out Rashford is very lucky that Manchester United don't play in seven-a-side tournaments."