Second best still better than the rest: Mourinho
JOSE Mourinho believes Manchester United deserve to finish as Premier League runners-up despite criticism of his side’s displays.
After the disappointing reigns of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, United turned to the Portuguese in the summer of 2016 in a bid to bring glory back to Old Trafford.
Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield success was a decent return in Mourinho’s first campaign, but they limped home sixth in the league.
Things have improved in that competition this term, but leaders Manchester City have run away to such an extent that they can wrap up the title in next weekend’s Manchester derby.
Mourinho claims not to have given Saturday’s game much thought but believes United deserve second spot ahead of Liverpool and Tottenham.
“Manchester City is not important for me,” the United boss said.
“Important for me is that since the moment we left the first position and went to second, we stayed there for the whole season.
“We deserved to feel second in spite of what you can say, the critics you make, you all say the third, fourth, fifth, sixth are better than us but they are not bet- ter because we have more points.
“We are going to fight every match. Seven matches to go, we are going to fight to try and finish second — and this guy is going to keep Swansea in the Premier League. (Carlos Carvalhal) is the manager of the season because they were dead.”
Mourinho was speaking next to friend and compatriot Carvalhal, who accepted the United manager’s invitation to join him in the press conference after Swansea’s loss at Old Trafford.
Swansea counterpart Carvalhal had no complaints about his side’s 2-0 defeat and is confident they will stay up, having overseen quite a turnaround since his appointment in late December.“We are swimming now, absolutely.”