Mourinho backs Dier to play three days after confronting fan in stands

JOSE Mourinho insists Eric Dier is in the right frame of mind to play for Tottenham and will be selected against Burnley tonight.

It is understood the midfielder is part of a Metropolitan Police investigation after he climbed into the stands to confront a fan in the aftermath of Spurs going out of the FA Cup to Norwich on Wednesday night.

Football Association and club investigations have been put on hold while the police probe the incident which saw Dier approach a supporter who was allegedly abusing his brother.

The England international was said to be calm in the dressing room after the game and Mourinho says he will be in the side at Turf Moor this evening.

Mourinho said: “What about Eric being in the right frame of mind to play, of course.

“The only thing that matters is: first of all, that nothing really big happened.

“And secondly he played so, so well in the last two matches, that of course he is going to play.

“I would never do that (rest him). The player played so well.

“Nothing happened, nothing to be afraid of, nothing to be ashamed of. The football world is behind, and understands completely the circumstances. Nothing. Of course he’s right to play.”

Mourinho, although acknowledging Dier was wrong to confront the fan, reiterated his support for his player and said he would have done the same thing.

“I look at myself and I am of course much older than Eric, and of course I have much more years in football than Eric,” he said.

“And as you know, I was born a footballer’s son, and I grew up as a football manager, and the only thing that I can say is that: if I see something happening with my son, I would do the same.

“I wouldn’t think two seconds about doing the same. So, that’s why I said I would do the same.

“But, as professionals, sometimes we have to go through difficult situations. And we have to try to cope with it. And be a little bit lucky, that not happen the same that happened with Eric.

“But I think everybody understands what happened.”

• MANCHESTER United have opened an investigation after footage emerged of midfielder Jesse Lingard being subjected to a torrent of foul-mouthed abuse following the club’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over Derby at Pride Park.

The abuse was directed at the 27-year-old as he signed autographs before boarding the team bus on Thursday night.

A United spokesperson said the club “completely condemns” the abuse and are now expected to contact Derby County to see if the Championship side can help identify individuals.

Lingard’s team-mate Luke Shaw later emerged at the front of the bus to reason with fans.