WENGER CLAPPED OUT AS FEAR GOES
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
BY DAVID McDONNELL ARSENE WENGER admits Manchester United fans have finally warmed to him because he is no longer seen as a threat.
Wenger’s final game as Arsenal boss at Old Trafford ended in defeat, with Marouane Fellaini heading the winner in added time.
Old rival Sir Alex Ferguson presented the Frenchman with a vase on behalf of United before the match kicked off.
And Wenger paid tribute to the Old Trafford support for the reception they gave him, joking they respect him now he is no longer a direct rival.
He said: “It shows that, once you’re not a danger any more, people love you.”
The love-in continued after the match as Wenger caught up with Ferguson. He said: “I want now to have a glass of red wine with Sir Alex, because it is always good wine.”
Fergie slugged out many a memorable battle with Wenger but it was Jose Mourinho, who infamously branded him a “specialist in failure” while Chelsea boss, who was in United’s dugout yesterday.
Mourinho came out on top again thanks to a looping header from Fellaini at the death.
That came after United outcast Henrikh Mkhitaryan had hauled Arsenal level with a fine 16-yard strike after Paul Pogba’s close-range opener.
And when asked if he could see himself facing Mourinho
ARSENE WENGER
again next season, Wenger said: “I don’t know, honestly.
“He will be at United next season certainly and I don’t know where I will be.
“I’ve worked at a top level for 35 years without interruption.
“I’m in unknown territory. Will I take a break? I will be surprised if I meet Mourinho next year.”
The United boss doesn’t believe it will be the last time he faces Wenger and said: “I hope I play against him again. Who knows? We may still have a big match waiting for us.
“I’m happy the class my club showed towards him. I told the club Sir Alex should present the award not me because Sir Alex was his real rival.
“Especially at United, where my story with Mr Wenger is just a couple of years.”
Mourinho also revealed match-winner Fellaini, out of contract at the end of the season, is close to agreeing a new deal.
He said: “The position is that we are almost there but in football almost is not enough.
“I want to wait until I see the white paper with the United crest and Ed Woodward’s signature on it.”
The win kept United on track for a second-place finish in the league but striker Romelu Lukaku could miss the run-in and the FA Cup Final after picking up a foot injury. Mourinho said: “There are three more weeks until the Final.
“I hope it’s not something that keeps him out of that game but I don’t know.”
Wenger’s hopes of a fond farewell now rest entirely on the Europa League campaign.
They face Atletico Madrid on Thursday and need to defy the odds after drawing 1-1 at home. Playmaker Mkhitaryan is a doubt after picking up a knee injury yesterday.