Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has claimed in his press conference that he will be one of the greatest managers in the world even if he does not win the Premier League at the club.
United have lost two opening league games making their worst start to a season since 1992-93.
Mourinho responds to Spurs fans
“Yeah but they didn’t have that song when we beat them at Wembley a couple of months ago. A cup final they had a big dream to go to, a title they had a big dream to win, because they don’t win many and of course they were not singing that.”
Mourinho asked if he's in a fighting mood
“Fighting? No playing football. Not from me, from the team. I don’t play. The team played, the team showed everything but goals (against Spurs). We made a couple of mistakes, we were punished but the players showed passion and the reaction of the fans was not for me, it was for the team.
“It was for us as a team but the fans were behind the team since the first minute because the team was playing magnificent and it was a reaction to say ok we lost, doesn’t matter if we play well, defeat means zero points but the way the team plays, fought, I think the fans decided to have that kind of reaction in relation to me.
“I know the majority of the stadiums are used to the winning manager to jump around and to go to the crowd and to show his face and put his face in front of the camera. With me that is not happening.
“When I win I am the first one to leave but an important defeat at home that’s the way I am, I had to go to the pitch and see the reaction and the reaction really humbled me. The team felt really supported and, because of that, this week was not a difficult week at all. It was a week when the people were positive, convinced we deserved much more than what we got in the last Monday and that’s why we have a difficult match this weekend, but people are positive.”
Mourinho asked about Burnley's Europa League qualification failure
“I think (unlucky to go out). I went there and knew that they would rest a lot of the players that are going to play on Sunday, which happens.
“I was not surprised by that, I went with the intention to see which direction they go, if Sean was trying to change or stick with the same principles that made them successful in the last couple of seasons and they were very unlucky.”
Mourinho asked about his love for United
“I am the manager of one of the greatest clubs in the world but I am also one of the greatest managers in the world.”
Mourinho asked about Shaw and Martial
“With Martial you have to wait for that to be official because in this moment is not official.”
In relation to Luke, it’s a big week for him that ends with a very important match against Burnley. He played three very good matches and it is not easy to play three very good matches when your team loses two of them and he had that balance and consistency, and even when the team didn’t win, especially against Brighton he kept that consistency.
“If next week his manager (Southgate) decides to give him minutes against Spain or Switzerland that will be obviously be very good for him. In this moment he is feeling the good results of the hard work and the good results of many people that work with him and try to make him a proper football player, because a proper football player is a player of consistency.
“Mentally, physically he is stronger, tactically, he has a better understanding and we are very, very happy with him. To go to the national team after three Premier League matches, it is extraordinary for him.”
Mourinho asked about whether he will be a great manager if he fails to win PL with Man Utd
“I had last season great success. I had great success last season that’s what you probably don’t want to admit.
“I analyse my performance, myself and, for me, it is more important what I think than what you think. I repeat that two seasons ago we had a fantastic season by winning the Europa League, this season and last season everybody thought Atletico Madrid were amazing because they won the Europa League after being knocked out of the Champions League. We won the Europa League because that was our level.
“We are the last team in England to win a European competition. And last season, I repeat, I won eight titles, I am the only manager in the world that won in Italy, Spain and England and by winning eight titles, not small titles or countries, my second position last season is one of my greatest achievements in football. I think.”
Mourinho talks Klopp
“Do you ask that question to the manager that finished third in the PL or fourth?”
“Because he never win anything in international for example. That’s his problem, I tell you what I think, how he feels. And I answer you the question.”
