Jose Mourinho says he is ‘totally against’ mid-season international friendlies as Manchester United defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones pick up knocks for England

JOSE MOURINHO wants international friendlies scrapped except in the fortnight before a major tournament.

The Manchester United boss saw his defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling crocked last week while in Germany for England‘s 1-0 loss.

Mourinho told Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday: “I am totally against the friendly matches.

Keep up to date with ALL the MANCHESTER UNITED gossip and transfers on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary

“I think friendly matches for the national team only make sense before the final phases.

“A couple of weeks before the Euros or a couple of weeks before the World Cup makes sense. But mid-season friendly matches mixed with qualification matches, I don’t think that makes sense.

“On top of that the matches are not really big matches so I am not a big fan.”

But the ex-Chelsea chief – a past and future candidate to boss the Three Lions and his native Portugal – hinted he could become an international manager one day.

Mourinho admitted he was restraining his frustration over injuries because: “I think one day I will be there so I cannot be very critical.”