Why Jose Mourinho should be embracing Man United greats like Paul Scholes - not fighting with them

Whoever asked Jose Mourinho about Paul Scholes’ criticism of Paul Pogba probably had an inkling of what was about to follow. “Scholes will be in history as a phenomenal player. Not as a pundit,” the Portuguese snarled back. “It is not Paul’s fault that he made much more money than Paul Scholes. If Paul one day decides to be a manager, I wish that he can be 25 per cent as successful as myself.”

Even by recent standards, it was a bizarre outburst by the Manchester United boss, who has been wound tight in recent weeks. Of all the TV personalities Mourinho could have taken aim at for being motivated by money, Scholes wasn’t the most obvious of targets. In fact, Scholes seems uncomfortable with the etiquette and routine that comes with being a pundit.

But this winter Mourinho has employed a scattergun approach in his rebuttal of criticism. Referees, Manchester City’s spending, United’s own fans and now Scholes have all been cited, at one point or another, as reasoning for the Old Trafford side’s struggles over the past few weeks and months. While the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager has never really been known for his sunny disposition, he has recently taken on the persona of a grumpy old man with an axe to grind. About everything and anyone.

His remarks regarding Scholes weren’t really befitting of an elder statesman, the sort of figure he should be given his position and experience as a Premier League great. Worse than that, they burned bridges with a figure who could, at some point, prove valuable to Manchester United as a club. Mourinho even taunted the former midfielder about his failure to secure a coaching role at Old Trafford last year, when he applied to become Man United’s under 23s manager.

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Regardless of whether Scholes should have got that job or not, Mourinho’s comments take United in the opposite direction to where they should be heading. The Old Trafford outfit should be following the Bayern Munich model, fast-tracking former players and legends into influential roles at the club, whether that is in youth coaching or at boardroom level. Rather than mocking club stalwarts like Scholes, United should be finding a way to welcome them into the fold.

Of course, Man United already employ a number of former players, including Andy Cole, Bryan Robson and Peter Schmeichel, as ambassadors, but their duties only extend to visiting supporters’ clubs around the world and making charity appearances. They are not integral to the running of the club. Man United should look to make more of their former greats.

In the modern age of chopping and changing with every transfer window, the hiring of former players in coaching and boardroom positions provides a thread of continuity to maintain the identity and character of the club in question. That’s how it works at the Allianz Arena, where the likes of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß essentially control Bayern Munich at boardroom level.

A number of Premier League clubs employ former players as youth coaches (look at Steven Gerrard at Liverpool or even Nicky Butt at United), but the employment of former players in boardroom or executive roles rarely happens here. In England’s top flight, there is a disconnect between what happens on the pitch and what happens in the boardroom. Of course, it’s important that clubs employ people with expertise in business, but it’s equally important that they can also call upon figures who know what it takes to succeed in a sporting sense. There should be a crossover.

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Mourinho has always been a scorch the earth sort of guy.

He cuts aways all that gets in his way at each and every club he takes charge of, caring not for what he leaves behind. It’s self-serving, but Manchester United knew what they were signing up for when they appointed Mourinho 18 months ago. Nonetheless, the Portuguese is doing damage to the club he currently calls home.

He’s got this wrong, as he has many things so far this season. It’s not just about Scholes, it’s about a wider attitude towards the past. Manchester United might desperately wish to finally step out from Sir Alex Ferguson’s shadow, but that doesn’t mean figures from their glittering history should be left behind too.