Jose aims early dig at ‘serial winners’ Liverpool and Tottenham

MANCHESTER: Jose Mourinho has taken aim at Liverpool and Tottenham, saying they ‘win nothing’ but are painted as ‘serial winners’ while his Manchester United get no credit.

On the eve of the new season, which starts with United’s clash against Leicester today, Mourinho also claimed that finishing second last term, 19 points behind champions Manchester City, was ‘one of the greatest achievements’ of his career.

But he complained about what he sees as preferential treatment afforded to the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham.

Both clubs finished below United last season in the Premier League yet Mourinho claims they are projected as ‘serial winners’ despite failing to land a trophy since 2012 and 2008 respectively.

Liverpool did reach they Champions League final, which they lost to Real Madrid, while the Premier League’s other biggest clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal, disappointed and missed out on the top four.

But Mourinho is still bristling over the perception of last season as a disappointment for United, who also lost the FA Cup final to Chelsea. “My view is that first of all it’s difficult for me to believe we finished second,” said Mourinho of last season. “When I listen, when I read, it’s difficult to believe we finished second because you are capable of making people who finish second (sound like we) were relegated.

“You are capable of making people who win nothing and finish below us look like serial winners.

“Its difficult for me to believe we finished second. Sometimes it’s also difficult to believe I won eight championships and three Premier Leagues, and I keep thinking the second position last year was one of my biggest achievements in England.”

Asked if his tactics that were often criticised for being too negative last season are going to change, he said: “The target is the Leicester match. The tactics to be changed in Championship Manager you can just press a button. In football, you need time to work and players on the pitch to work and we didn’t have until now.

“Pre-season is difficult when you don’t have your players to work, it’s as simple as that.”