Manchester United players have to take responsibility for Jose Mourinho dismissal, says Nemanja Matic

The Serbian was one of Mourinho’s few remaining allies during his final days at Old Trafford

Nemanja Matic has said that Manchester United’s players must take responsibility for Jose Mourinho’s dismissal.

The Serbian was one of Mourinho’s few remaining allies during his final days at Old Trafford.

And speaking in the wake of Saturday’s thumping 5-1 win over Cardiff, Matic appeared to suggest he and his teammates had not done enough for Mourinho.

“We have to take responsibility [for Mourinho going] and do our best to play better and to win games,” he said.

“I don’t know [what changed against Cardiff]. This is the question no one has an answer to, but we are sure this is the way to continue, to fight and we will try to do it.”

Addressing a week of upheaval at Old Trafford, Matic said: “This is football, in football this happens. We know also it’s not only the manager’s fault when the results are not good. But this is football and we have to carry on, to fight for the club.”

Luke Shaw joined Matic in expressing his respect – despite being publicly criticised by Mourinho on multiple occasions over the past two years.

“It’s not very nice when something as big as that happens at the club but we all, as players and as a team, need to show respect,” Shaw said.

“People might be quick to forget what José did for United, with the three trophies. So people need to respect him and remember what he did, not only for us as a team to win those trophies but for the fans as well.”