Havertz is hailed as one of Europe’s best
In that time they’ve twice held Liverpool at Old Trafford and last season secured wins at Arsenal and Chelsea.
After his return to Old Trafford had been ruined in December, Mourinho touched on United’s big-game record and their comfort of playing on the break being crucial to that.
“You look to United results this season against the best teams, they had good results,” he said. “I think at home when they play like they did Chelsea, Liverpool, Leicester, they always had this kind of attitude. I think it’s easier for them, the way they play.
“They are not afraid to be with a defensive approach, they are not afraid to be at home, to take their time, to be in control of the emotions of the game. Then lots of young people with lots of energy and good mentality and when they are winning matches.
“They are comfortable in this situation of low block and a giant dominating in the air and being fast in counter-attack with Marcus [Rashford], with James, with Jesse [Lingard], with [Anthony] Martial when he plays.
“So I think the way they play is easier for them when they play against teams that are better teams, teams that want more of the ball, to have initiative of the game, so I think they did well.
“They played the game they wanted to play [in the secondhalf], they dropped the block, they defend, a couple of dangerous counter-attacks, closing, closing, closing, and when we had the ball in the last third the goal could happen but didn’t.”
Having already been on the receiving end once, Mourinho will be desperate to avoid a repeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday night, especially as a failure to win will all-but end Spurs’ slim hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
But there’s a precedent here for Solskjaer being able to reuse a template that’s already bought him success.
Chelsea and City have been powerless to resist so far this season, and it might be a similar case for Tottenham as the Premier League resumes.
BAYERN Munich forward Thomas Muller believes Kai Havertz is possibly the best player in Europe for his age group.
The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the top talents in German football this season with a series of impressive displays for Bayer Leverkusen.
Havertz’s form at club level has led to plenty of interest surrounding his signature this summer, with United one side who are impressed by his performances.
M.E.N. Sport revealed last week the player is open to a move to the Premier League, although Bayern Munich remain the favourites to sign him at the end of the season.
United are known to be interested if their planned move for Jadon Sancho falls through.
The German international is expected to attract plenty of interest when the summer transfer window finally opens and Muller has explained just how good he is.
“In my last appearances for the national team, I enjoyed training and playing with him,” Muller said.
“He’s an extremely good player, if not Europe’s top talent for his age. He has very good abilities.
“Of course at Bayern we want to have the best players with the best abilities.
“Unfortunately, I have no insight into the financial area and the sports director area.
“I don’t know what is planned and which budget can be allocated to transfers in the current situation.”