You rarely see opposing managers take press conferences together but that’s exactly what happened when Jose Mourinho was speaking to the media after Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Swansea City for Swans boss Carlos Carvahal joined his good friend, much to the delight of all present.
Immediately after joining Mourinho, Carvahal jokes that he’s sitting with his assistant, bringing peals of laughter from all journalists sitting in the media room at Old Trafford.
Mourinho, however, was all business as he made sure he pointed out Swansea’s position before Carvahal joined them in December and their current place in the Premier League table, crediting his compatriot for their progress of late.
Carvahal’s appointment has rejuvenated the Swans, who no longer look like relegation-fodder and while they are not safe yet, look favourites to avoid the drop.
The two Portuguese tacticians, who reportedly did their coaching licences together, are extremely close and their bonhomie was evident from kick off on Saturday.
Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez had given the Red Devils a lead fairly early in the Premier League fixture, but the Welsh outfit were definitely the stronger of the sides in the second-half, something Mourinho admitted was down to Carvahal’s double substitution at half-time.
Striker Tammy Abraham forced two fine saves from David de Gea as United took their foot off the gas, but Mourinho insisted Swansea deserved to be lauded for their display rather than slating United for their indifferent performance, especially in the second-half.
It was an important win for United, who reclaimed second spot in the Premier League table from Liverpool, who had beaten Crystal Palace 2-1 earlier on Saturday, and the Red Devils now lead the Reds by two points, despite having played a game less than their arch-rivals.
United next face champions-elect Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on April 7 and will look to delay the Sky Blues’ title party by another week at least by scripting an upset in the latest edition of the Manchester Derby.
Swansea, despite their incredible form of late, remain perilisouly close to the drop zone, just three points ahead of 18th-placed Southampton and the Swans will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to bottom-ranked West Bromwich Albion next week.
