LONDON • Jose Mourinho lambasted Paul Scholes after Manchester United's 2-0 win at Everton, accusing the club's former midfielder of being jealous of Paul Pogba's wealth and of failing as a pundit.
United produced a dominant second-half display at Goodison Park to record their first victory in five matches following goals from Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard.
The visitors were inspired by Pogba, who was criticised by Scholes following Saturday's goal-less draw at home to Southampton, and Mourinho took the opportunity to return fire.
"Maybe I will be lucky this time and the kings of rock 'n' roll who said I was underperforming last match will now say I'm performing," the United manager said, referring to Scholes and two other former United players-turned-pundits, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs.
Turning specifically to Scholes' criticism of Pogba, he added: "I think the only thing Paul Scholes does is criticise. I don't think he comments.
"Paul (Pogba) tries to do his best all the time. Sometimes he plays very well, sometimes he plays well, sometimes he doesn't play so well.
"It's not Paul's fault that he has made much more money than Scholes. It's not Scholes' fault either, it's just the way football is."
BT Sport pundit Scholes had accused Pogba of coasting through games and failing to make the sort of impact his £89 million (S$160.1 million) transfer fee demands.
The 43-year-old, who won 20 major trophies in 718 games for the Red Devils, recently claimed that his application for a job managing United's Under-23 team was turned down by the club's management.
And Mourinho went on to suggest that several former United players had an agenda against his team as they sought a return to the club, which he would not accommodate.
"I think they would love to be here," he said. "They would love to be at the club and that's a problem I cannot resolve."
The Portuguese also revealed that Romelu Lukaku, who was stretchered off against Southampton, did not suffer a concussion and will be available for selection for United's FA Cup third-round tie with Derby on Friday.
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