Why Jose Mourinho thinks England have the edge over Croatia

Jose Mourinho says England should have the edge in tonight’s World Cup semi final showdown against Croatia.

The Manchester United boss branded the Three Lions as a ‘happy team’, and suggested that the fact they are younger and fresher than Croatia gives them a key advantage.

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Croatia have been taken to extra time and penalties in both of their knockout matches so far, while England were able to rest players in the final group game against Belgium and then beat Sweden in normal time in the quarter finals.

That is why Mourinho is leaning towards Gareth Southgate’s side qualifying for Sunday’s final in Moscow.

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“England are fresher, have younger players, had an easy group phase, where they play two easy matches, and the match against Belgium they changed every player,” he said.

“So the players who are playing now, they all had one match less than Croatia to play, because they didn’t play against Belgium, and the majority of players are young, fit players.”

The United boss, speaking to Russia Today , added: “When I look to the team I think Ashley Young was 32 or 33 today or yesterday, but apart from that the players are are very young.

“Between England and Croatia, I think Croatia has a great mentality, a fantastic midfield player [in Luka Modric] to control the game and the possession of the game, but England is a happy team.”

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