Cup glory makes Mou hungry for more
Late Zlatan header seals United triumph
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 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 with this one, 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 insisted he was merely hiding his pride because he wanted his players to soak up 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 myself. I wanted very much 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.
“I feel very happy with the victory and the fact I did it four times, the same as the biggest one [Ferguson] and Mr Clough.”
After watching United blow a twogoal lead as Manolo Gabbiadini struck twice for the Saints before Ibrahimovic’s winner, Mourinho conceded his team had been fortunate.
“You could feel in the game the difference in freshness. Southampton were in Spain, relaxing and preparing, and we were playing Europa League and FA Cup,” he said.
“We coped because we are humble, we stuck together and fought together, then we had a bit of luck because the 3-2 came at a moment when they couldn’t react.”
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 know his potential,” said Mourinho of their previous spell together at Inter Milan.
“Only a silly player comes to England at 35 years old, and with the successful career that Zlatan has, if he doesn’t feel he can do it [he wouldn’t have come].
“Who better to know? Him. Not me, not you. Him.”
Ibrahimovic’s future remains uncertain as his contract expires at the end of the season but, while Mourinho won’t plead with him, he expects the star to stay.
“I never beg for a player to sign a contract. I never beg for a player to play for me,” Mourinho said.
“But if needed, maybe United fans can go to the door of his house, and stay there all night if needed!
“We all want, and believe, that he is going to stay another season.”
Ibrahimovic celebrated his League Cup final heroics in typically bullish style as he insisted he never doubted he would thrive in England.
“This is a team effort. This is what I came for, to win — and I am winning. The more I win the more satisfied I get,” Ibrahimovic said.
“You appreciate it more the older you get. Wherever I have gone I have won. I think this is trophy No.32 for me.
“This is what I predicted. To many I could not do it. My friend, I keep doing it. I’m enjoying it in England. I know I made the right choice [to join United]. I predicted what I would do. I came — that’s special.”
SAINTS’ PAIN
Manager Claude Puel was frustrated because Southampton were denied what would have been the opening goal early in the first half when Gabbiadini slotted home, only to see his effort harshly ruled out for offside.
The French coach called for video technology to be used to determine such close calls.
“I would like of course the video for the future, for this situation for example,” he said.
“It’s important to accept this but I am disappointed for the players and for the fans.”
Adding insult to injury, Southampton, whose goals both came from Gabbiadini, also hit the post before Ibrahimovic’s late winner.
Puel bemoaned the way luck was against his team.
“It’s very hard to lose this game but it’s football. Before the third goal we had the best situation, the best opportunities to win.
“It is a big disappointment with the quality of this game. And a frustration of course for all my players.”