Mourinho revels in shushing critics
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Jose Mourinho defiantly shushed his critics after Manchester United eked out a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Substitute Anthony Martial’s 81st-minute strike earned United victory to keep it five points behind Premier League leader Manchester City.
Mourinho had come under fire for United’s insipid performances in their previous two matches — the 0-0 draw with Liverpool and the 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield.
After Saturday’s win, the Portuguese turned to a TV camera and put his fingers to his lips in an apparent message to his critics.
Asked about the gesture, the United boss said: “Some people speak too much.
“Calm down, relax a little bit. Don’t speak too much, speak, speak, speak, relax. Relax a little bit, don’t be so nervous. Don’t be so excited.”
United just about deserved to beat Spurs, which was without the injured Harry Kane.
However, manager Mauricio Pochettino refused to use Kane’s absence as an excuse.
“We did not lose because Harry wasn’t out there,” said the Argentine. “It is a collective sport and you have to adapt when someone isn’t fit. I am happy with the performance and we deserved more than zero points.”
Much was made of a supposed falling-out between Mourinho and Pochettino in the build-up to the match.
In his new autobiography Brave New World, Pochettino alleges Mourinho had a lengthy conversation with Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier in the tunnel after United beat Spurs in December last term.
That prompted Pochettino, the book claims, to tell the England international he would not be leaving the club.
But, speaking before kickoff on Saturday, Mourinho made light of the allegations.
“I don’t know if it is Mauricio’s words or it is his ghost writer’s, I really don’t know,” said Mourinho. “Before every season he calls me and I call Mauricio and we ask about each other’s players to see if they are or are not available.
“I don’t know why I should speak to Dier in the tunnel. Maybe it is to try and sell books. Maybe his ghost writer wants to make some money.
“But I never said that I wanted Dier. I never say who the players are I want.”