Relief for Mourinho with win at Burnley
BURNLEY, England: Jose Mourinho had a smile back on his face after his Manchester United side comfortably beat Burnley 20 at Turf Moor yesterday to end a week of intense scrutiny in positive fashion.
Two firsthalf goals from Romelu Lukaku put United in firm charge of the game and it could have added more after the break had Paul Pogba not missed a penalty.
Mourinho, who demanded respect from the media after Monday’s 30 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, had his name sung throughout the game by United’s fans and even found time for a little banter with the media.
‘‘I am [delighted] and I think some of you must be disappointed it would be much better if we lose,’’ he said with a slight grin.
‘‘But I think the performance was very good and very good from the first ball we touched. After 10 minutes we were playing so so well and we were missing quite easy chances that I had a feeling another Totten ham can happen but also a feeling that playing this way we have to win.
‘‘We should have kill[ed] the game much earlier but the performance was very good, very solid and important,’’ he added.
Mourinho ended the game going close up to United’s travelling support to show his appreciation for their backing.
Pressed on how the supporters had not just backed the team but had sung his name for long periods including a chant of ‘‘Mourinho’s red army’’, the former Chelsea boss played down the significance.
‘‘The manager is not important, the team is important. The manager does not play. I have miles and miles and miles on the touchline to cope with every different reaction from the crowd,’’ he said.
‘‘I am really happy with the performance, the result and to give that good feeling to the fans. They are the most responsible for the week,’’ Mourinho added.
He also denied reports saying he had turned down the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during the closeseason, insisting the option to bring him back to Old Trafford was ‘‘never on my table’’.
Ronaldo signed for Juventus who will play United in the Champions League group stage.
In other Premier League matches yesterday, Watford beat Tottenham Hotspur 21 and Cardiff City lost to Arsenal 32. — Reuters