United lifted by Jose’s powers of motivation

THE DEFIANCE is still there – the unwillingness to give in to a world that he loves to see as hostile to him.

But most importantly for Manchester United and Jose Mourinho, on Saturday’s performance, it looks like his players feel that too.

At least on United’s second-half performance at Stamford Bridge. The first half still raises doubts.

Maybe United should play only second halves, because that is where they seem to wake up and flourish.

They did against Newcastle in their last home game, and they did it again on Saturday against Chelsea.

And as well as the defiance – shown in that three-fingered gesture to Blues fans as they taunted him, signalling the three Premier League titles he won for them – there were also signs the old Mourinho magic cannot be written off just yet.

The work he did at half-time after he disappeared down the tunnel with his team a goal down was the old Special One at his best.

In the first 45 minutes, United had been the sluggish, predictable team seen far too often this season.

They had deserved to go behind when Paul Pogba lost his man and Antonio Rudiger headed Chelsea in front.

But after the break it was a different story. Whatever was said, or whether it was the old silent treatment, Pogba and Romelu Lukaku were energised, Juan Mata incessantly prompting, Anthony Martial bright and alive. The leveller