Mourinho explains Manu Silva half-time withdrawal as fitness concerns linger for Benfica | OneFootball

José Mourinho absolved Manu Silva of blame for Benfica’s League Cup semi-final defeat, saying the midfielder’s half-time withdrawal reflected his long injury lay-off and limited readiness for high-intensity matches.

According to Glorioso 1904, Mourinho told a post-match press conference that Benfica were stronger after the break, but not because Manu was removed, and he also directed criticism at João Pinheiro and his own players.

He said Manu had suffered one of football’s most serious injuries and was being reintroduced step by step. Recent outings came against Farense and Estoril, the latter a lower-tempo game. The staff accepted some risk due to his situation.

This season Manu Silva, valued at 10 million euros, has seven appearances for Benfica, four in Liga Portugal Betclic, one in the Champions League, one in the Taça de Portugal and one in the Taça da Liga, totalling 240 minutes.

Benfica visit Porto on Wednesday, 14 January, at 20:45 in the Taça de Portugal quarter-finals, targeting a place in the next round.

Source: Glorioso 1904