Deco is not overly surprised to learn of talk of dressing room unrest at Manchester United, but says the Red Devils knew what they were getting when appointing Jose Mourinho.
While the club have secured a runner-up finish in the Premier League and made the FA Cup final, questions have been asked of their brand of football and the methods of their manager.
Paul Pogba has seen his relationship with the demanding coach thrust under the microscope , while Marcus Rashford has been urged to leave Old Trafford after finding himself out of favour .
Deco, though, believes star turns working under a born winner need to accept their role, with Mourinho having shown in the past that he can deliver results if everyone buys into his mindset.
The former Portugal international, who tasted Champions League success under Mourinho at Porto, told Sky Sports : "What happens in the dressing room is that sometimes he wants to push the players. It's complicated to manage a big club like Man United.
"In Portugal there was a lot of pressure because when he arrived we had been two, three years without a title. But I think he is the same. The players changed, the time has changed. Maybe today the reactions from the players are different.
"If Man United brings him to be a coach they knew he was like that. He puts pressure on the players, the club. He wants to win, that's that."
Deco is, however, convinced that United remain on the right path under Mourinho, with it possible that they can bridge the gap to record-breaking Premier League champions Manchester City next season with a few considered additions during the summer transfer window.
A man who also represented Barcelona and Chelsea during a distinguished playing career, Deco added: "It's not normal in the Premier League, what Man City did.
"Man United had a good competition. Many times it's not so good, but I think Man City did so well it would be difficult to repeat another season like that.
"Man United needs to stay in the right way, they have good players, maybe two or three new players for the next season. But I think they are doing well."