Jose: It’s just the beginning
GLORY DAY: VETERAN ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC SEALS LATE WEMBLEY VICTORY
Mourinho the first United boss to win trophy in first season.
London
Jose Mourinho has challenged his Manchester United stars to use their dramatic League Cup final win against Southampton as a springboard to bigger prizes.
Mourinho lifted the first major trophy of his United reign on Sunday after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s late header clinched a 3-2 victory at Wembley.
The 54-year-old is the first United manager to win a major competition in his maiden season at Old Trafford and the 19th trophy of his glittering career made him only the third boss, after Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough, to enjoy four League Cup triumphs.
Now Mourinho wants his players to learn from the winning feeling as they chase FA Cup and Europa League titles this term, and ideally Premier League and Champions League glory next season.
“The reality is that we want more: my contract is long, I have two more years, so hopefully I can win more,” Mourinho said.
“This season I know it’s difficult, but the reality is we have to try to fight for more.”
Despite the landmark occasion Mourinho wore a stern expression during the trophy presentation.
But he said he was merely hiding his pride because he wanted his players to get the adulation.
“I am very happy. I always try to put myself in the secondary position – it’s important for the fans, the club, the players – but it’s also important for me,” he said.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself, you (the media) put a lot of pressure on me. I wanted to win a major trophy at every club. By doing that with Manchester United it’s quite the sense of relief because it was a big target for me.”
After watching United blow a two-goal lead as Manolo Gabbiadini struck twice for the Saints, Mourinho conceded his team had been fortunate.
“You could feel the difference in freshness. Southampton were in Spain, relaxing and preparing, and we were playing Europa League and the FA Cup,” he said.
Although more silverware this year would be nice, Mourinho knows the main target is to guarantee Champions League action next season by securing a top-four Premier League finish.
The key to achieving that will be keeping Ibrahimovic fit and firing on all cylinders.
The Swedish veteran, who also scored United’s opener with a fine free-kick, was written off by many when Mourinho signed him on a free transfer last year.
Yet he has defied the critics with 26 goals in all competitions, and Mourinho said he never doubted the forward.
“I was his manager, I knew his potential,” said Mourinho of their previous spell together at Inter Milan. –