Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has demanded more respect for his players, in light of Tottenham Hotspurs’ historic triumph over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
During a press conference at the Aon Training Complex to preview Sunday’s Premier League match at Chelsea, Mourinho was asked if good results are not good enough for some people.
Considering the Red Devils beat the Lilywhites 1-0 on the weekend in a Premier League clash, Mourinho responded: “I don’t want to comment. Because if I comment I am going to do a job that is not my job. Sometimes I feel that I could or I should, but other times I cool down and I think that I shouldn’t and I’m not going to do that”.
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After a blistering start to the Premier League season, United’s form had tailed off in recent weeks.
A bore draw at Liverpool, followed by a shock upset at newcomers Huddersfield Town, had seen Mourinho’s men come under stinging criticism but they responded by beating a high-flying Tottenham side to remain within touching distance of leaders Manchester City.
“I know there are different ways of analysing things for this reason or that. Similar performances for other clubs are magic, are examples of brilliant tactics and amazing attitudes by the players. For other teams, the same kind of performance becomes conservative, negative, so many adjectives.”
United have kept clean sheets against Liverpool and Tottenham in the Premier League, and the Portuguese tactician was quick to point out those stats to reinforce his point, especially in light of Spurs’ big wins over Liverpool and Real Madrid.
“But honestly – just as an example – Tottenham beat Liverpool 4-1, Real Madrid 3-1, and Tottenham didn’t score against Manchester United, so my players deserve at least a little bit of credit,” the 54-year-old added.
The Red Devils visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday to take on defending champions Chelsea and will be seeking to deliver a knockout punch to the Blues’ title hopes.