Manchester United target Danny Rose has released a statement apologising for remarks made on Thursday in which he criticised Tottenham Hotspur’s lack of trophies in recent times and failure to make any signings this summer.
The 27-year-old, who made his first appearance at White Hart Lane in 2010, gave a controversial interview to the Sun on Thursday, expressing a measure of frustration at the club for failing to win any trophies, sign any players this summer or pay him – and other teammates – the wages they deserve after two seasons of finishing in second spot in the Premier League.
More pertinently, however, he made it clear that, one day, he would move ‘up north’ during his professional career. Jose Mourinho is keen on bringing a left-back to Old Trafford this summer after failing to find anybody capable of filling the role on a regular basis this summer and has, according to reports, pin-pointed the unhappy Rose as a potential option this summer.
The Englishman’s comments have created quite a stir, and at the club’s request (you imagine) he has released a statement apologising for any offence or upset caused.
“Having had time to consider my actions, I acknowledge now that the timing and manner of what I said was ill-judged,” he said.
“My words were not meant to offend and for that I would like to apologise to the chairman, manager, my team-mates and the fans. I’d also like to wish the lads good luck ahead of Sunday’s game against Newcastle.”
His manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has accepted Rose’s apology and was clearly determined to move away from the issue.
“I forgive him and now we move on,” said Pochettino.
“Of course [he has a future at Tottenham]. Nothing has changed in my vision or perception here.”
What this means for Rose’s future and Mourinho’s hopes of signing a full-back remains to be seen. Losing yet another defender whilst failing to make any new additions would place Spurs under enormous pressure, and if their rigidity over Eric Dier is anything to go by United will not bother with contacting Daniel Levy over any business whatsoever.
Either way, however, Rose has magnified a variety of issues lying beneath the surface at Spurs just a few days before the new Premier League season kicks off. Pochettino’s men will kick off against Newcastle with an unnecessary cloud of scrutiny lying over their heads.
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte – having received blows from Mourinho over Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic this summer – continues to implore his board for further additions in a state of angered exasperation at realising that, actually, much more needs to be done ahead of his side’s title defence (always harder than a title challenge, it must be noted) this season.
Oh, and Liverpool’s best player has handed in a transfer request less than 24 hours until the new season kicks off.
I’m sure Mourinho, with no controversies or structural ailments hanging over his head, is looking on with a wry smile as the chaos unfolds.
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