Mourinho: I always put club first

Jose Mourinho insisted he always puts his club’s needs before his own as he challenged his Manchester United players to repay the faith of the fans against Tottenham Hotspur tonight.

The United manager hopes supporters can turn Old Trafford into a cauldron as he bids to ease mounting pressure after a wretched 3-2 defeat at Brighton following a troubled pre-season.

Mourinho was at odds with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward over the age and profile of transfer targets this summer and his relationship with players like Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial is also under strain.

Moves for Tottenham’s £50 million-rated centrehalf Toby Alderweireld, 29, and Chelsea winger Willian, 30, were vetoed by Woodward because they were considered short-term fixes that ran counter to the club’s longer-term plans, much to Mourinho’s frustration.

Mourinho’s wish to offload Martial, 22, was also rebuffed. But after being asked about the backing he received from United fans at Brighton, the manager stressed that he never acted selfishly and always worked in the best interests of the club as he urged his players to leave no stone unturned against Tottenham.

“The supporters were fantastic in both matches players also feel it, and they are ready to give them everything they have.”

Mourinho claims that United’s second-place finish last season was among his greatest achievements but said it was too early to say whether he would settle for the same again, given the problems over the summer. “I’m not in May, I cannot answer that,” he said. “I am not in May, I’m in August.”

Mourinho could make a number of changes from the Brighton game with Antonio Valencia, Nemanja Matic and Alexis Sanchez all available after injuries and Chris Smalling and Jesse Lingard among those hoping for starts.

United had a strong record against the top six last season and beat Spurs at home, but dropped points against several of the Premier League’s lesser lights.

“It is not a frustration because it would also be a frustration if we win every match against the non-top-six teams and don’t win against the top six,” he said.

“We want to win all the time.’’