Jose Mourinho has explained how his relationships with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Chris Smalling have improved at Roma.
Despite a ropey spell earlier in the season when it looked like the wheels were about to fall off in spectacular fashion, Mourinho has enjoyed a solid first campaign in charge of the Serie A side. The former Manchester United manager has guided the club to the UEFA Conference League final and could be the first coach to win the trophy if they defeat Feyenoord.
Ex-United duo Mkhitaryan and Smalling have both played key parts in Roma's season and have become important players for Mourinho, even though neither enjoyed great success under him at Old Trafford. Creative midfielder Mkhitaryan struggled to establish himself in the side after being signed from Borussia Dortmund and was jettisoned to Arsenal 18-months later.
Smalling was a much more regular feature and started in United's wins in the League Cup and Europa League finals, but struggled a lot with injuries and has improved since his move to Rome. Mourinho has revealed how happy he is with both players at the Stadio Olimpico.
"The thing that makes me really happy was because in the beginning as always people tried to go on the negative and people was trying to say: 'Mkhitaryan with Jose he has no chance, Jose is the kind of guy when things go wrong they never go well again,'" he told Sky Sports on his improved relationship with Mkhitaryan following their time at United. "And it was proven exactly the opposite.
"We were very mature, we were very honest with each other. I am so happy with Mkhi and I'm happy with people understanding that with me not everything is black or white and it's possible that a player becomes with a different relation than it was in the past.
"The situation with Chris [Smalling] is about finding a balance on his body that allows him to be playing regular because after that his experience, his qualities are there, he is a fantastic player. In this moment he is recognised here in Italy even in a funny way: 'Smalldini' which is [a mix] of Smalling and Maldini. He is doing amazing for us."
Mourinho also discussed how he still wishes the best for United despite how things ended between the two parties following his sacking in 2018. He added: "We won together three titles at Man United, unfortunately, the last three titles of Man United and I said unfortunately because yes I like the club very, very much and I wish the club the best.
"But we won three titles together so everything went well. In the second season we worked together it was a little bit different."
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