JOSE VOWS A FRESH FIGHT

JOSE MOURINHO congratulated Manchester City on winning the title – then vowed to fight them all the way for it next season. Manchester United’s shock 1-0 defeat by West Brom confirmed City as champions with five games left to play. But Mourinho, who has won the league title wherever he has managed, promised City and Guardiola he will ensure United make a sustained challenge next season. “I don’t know if I was the first, second or third, but I congratulated them face to face when I had the chance,” he said. “I knew that sooner or later they would be champions and if I was in their position I would be very upset if someone said they won because United lost against West Brom. “They won because they were the best, they lost only a few points. Probably because I won eight championships, I was not over the moon with the victory against them. “Because that doesn’t make me feel super happy and in my opinion, it affected some of the people that were too happy.” Asked how United would respond next season, Mourinho said: “I trust in my work. That’s for sure. I have no reason not to trust. “Eight titles and three Premier Leagues – and the last Premier League title was not 20 years ago, it was three years and I know how to win. “I believe in myself, but I don’t play. I think with my experience you don’t win titles with inconsistency. “You win, of course, with quality, but with consistency at every level, not just the performance level but also the mental level, the day-by-day. “Everything must be consistent until the last day. One of the things we have to improve is consistency.” Regarding the West Brom defeat, he added: “I think we were deservedly punished. Everything was complicated. “There was no fluidity. I don’t think we deserved to lose, but we gave them the opportunity to win.”