Danny Mills says Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s claims that Marcos Rojo is a "clean player" are "an absolute myth".
Mourinho praises Rojo after reckless lunge
The Argentina international has faced criticism of late after flying into two-footed challenges, first on Everton's Idrissa Gueye, and then on Crystal Palace winger Wilfred Zaha.
He has avoided red cards, but the 26-year-old has won few admirers for his potentially dangerous tackles.
Mourinho was quick to defend Rojo after United’s 2-1 victory at Palace on Wednesday, in which the South American chopped down Zaha on the edge of the United area.
He said: “He is an aggressive, clean player playing probably the best football of his career."
Mills, though, refuses to buy into the belief that any player turning out on Premier League and international stages is ‘clean’, with all top-level performers possessing ‘an edge’ that makes them competitive – even creative talents such as former Arsenal forward Dennis Bergkamp.
He told Sky Sports News: “That's an absolute myth. No player who gets to the top level is clean. I really can't stand that phrase 'he's not that type of player'.
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“Dennis Bergkamp is one of the most talented players to have ever graced the Premier League and was as nasty as they come. He'd leave his foot in, he'd give you an elbow – that's what you have to do to get to the top level.
“Every single player that gets to that level has an edge about them.”
On Rojo’s reckless lunge against Palace, Mills added: “Zaha does unbelievably well to get out the way of that because Rojo is so blatant with what he's going to do.
“He comes from a long way away, Wilfried Zaha sees that challenge coming and jumps it. If his feet are planted… that's a really bad tackle.”
Rojo was cautioned against Palace, with match official Craig Pawson spotting his tackle on Zaha.
He also saw yellow in a recent meeting with Everton, with another two-footed challenge on Idrissa Gueye avoiding further sanction.
Those cards are the only ones picked up by Rojo this season, in 17 appearances across all competitions.
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