Redknapp disagrees with Mourinho on Mikel

Mikel Obi

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has questioned Jose Mourinho’s decision to bring on John Obi Mikel against Manchester United on Sunday, insisting that the Chelsea boss should have learned his lesson from the game against Manchester City.

The Blues travelled to Old Trafford on Sunday looking to continue their unbeaten run this season and it seemed like that would be made even sweeter, as Didier Drogba gave them a second-half lead.

Mourinho decided to shut up shop with roughly 20 minutes left and sent on midfield enforcer Mikel to nullify United’s attacking threat. However, that move backfired and a stoppage-time goal from Robin van Persie stole a point for the hosts.

Mourinho did the exact thing at the Etihad last month when a late goal from Frank Lampard earned a point for City, which Redknapp believes Mourinho should have learned from.

The former Spurs man told Daily Mail, “That’s twice now – against City and United – Chelsea have been 1-0 up, brought on Jon Obi Mikel and conceded late on. It’s not him as a player, it’s the message of the manager.

“Jose is a safety first boss but when you make that switch, it tells the team to sit back and defend. Unfortunately for him, it’s not working.”