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Is Eva Carneiro the real reason Jose Mourinho isn’t getting the Manchester United job?

By Rucker Haringey

Chelsea doctor (2R) Eva Carneiro and head physio Jon Fearn (R) leave the bench to treat Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard late in the game as Chelsea's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho (L) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Swansea City at Stamford Bridge in London on August 8, 2015. Chelsea have sidelined team doctor Eva Carneiro from match-day duties after she fell foul of manager Jose Mourinho, according to British media reports on August 11, 2015. Mourinho criticised Carneiro after she ran on the pitch to treat Eden Hazard in stoppage time of Chelsea's 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City on August 8, saying she did not 'understand the game'. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Chelsea doctor (2R) Eva Carneiro and head physio Jon Fearn (R) leave the bench to treat Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard late in the game as Chelsea's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho (L) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Swansea City at Stamford Bridge in London on August 8, 2015. Chelsea have sidelined team doctor Eva Carneiro from match-day duties after she fell foul of manager Jose Mourinho, according to British media reports on August 11, 2015. Mourinho criticised Carneiro after she ran on the pitch to treat Eden Hazard in stoppage time of Chelsea's 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City on August 8, saying she did not 'understand the game'. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Manchester United may be hesitant to hire Jose Mourinho due to his dispute with former Chelsea physio Eva Carneiro

Many Manchester United fans are vexed by the club’s decision not to move forward with the hiring of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. It’s possible that the higher-ups at Old Trafford have been scared off by his ongoing dispute with former Chelsea physio Eva Carneiro.

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The Independent reports that Carneiro is demanding Mourinho make a public apology to her if he wants to avoid a public hearing over her employment tribunal. Currently Carneiro is pursuing action against the former Chelsea manager in both an employment tribunal and a separate personal legal action. Mourinho has quite a bit of repair work to do if he wants to put this ugly mess behind him.

Manchester United’s higher-ups may want to avoid the mess altogether. While Mourinho is undoubtedly a great tactical manager, he comes with significant off the pitch baggage. His ego and temperamental personality are substantial issues for a club like United, but the possibility of a public relations nightmare over the Carneiro issue might be too much risk for the club to assume.

Just consider the negative press that would rain down on United if Mourinho was forced to go to a public hearing after assuming the managerial job at Old Trafford. Manchester United would suddenly be put in a position where they could be roundly condemned if Mourinho came off poorly with his comments. Would you really trust The Special One to hold his tongue in such a sensitive forum?

Manchester United is a club with a certain aura of dignity and respect. Some fans might criticize that as being “old-fashioned” but it’s part of the club’s charm and identity. That aura coupled with the club’s terrific history are what makes United different from a place like Chelsea or Manchester City. If they lose that intangible superiority then they cease to be “better” than their Premier League rivals. It’s a risk they just can’t afford.

That’s why the Mourinho-Carneiro row is so important as it relates to their managerial prospects. They can’t afford to hire Mourinho and then have him embarrass the club on an infinitely public stage. They’d lose their alleged moral high ground if they hired a manager who was proven to have treated women poorly.

Related Story: 5 potential replacements for Jose Mourinho at Chelsea

It’s crazy to think that Jose Mourinho might not be hired at Manchester United because of his comments about his team physio on the first day of the season when working for Chelsea. Ultimately though, Eva Carneiro may be the one thing standing in between Mourinho and Old Trafford.

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