Jose Mourinho told Manchester United not to look like ‘clowns’ at half-time against City, says Chris Smalling

Mourinho used an old motivation technique to inspire United's comeback

Chris Smalling has revealed that Jose Mourinho inspired his Manchester United players to their comeback victory over champions-elect Manchester City by telling them not to look like ‘clowns’.

Smalling scored the winning goal as a second-half performance inspired by Paul Pogba inflicted City’s first home Premier League defeat in 27 games, a run stretching back to December 2016.

Victory would have seen Pep Guardiola’s City crowned champions and a dream coronation seemed likely at the interval, when the dominant hosts led 2-0 through Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan.

Mourinho, however, used the prospect of City celebrating a league title to motivate his players, as Smalling revealed after the final whistle.

“At half time we were feeling sorry for ourselves, we wanted to go out there and play with pride and thought we fully deserved it in the end,” the United defender told Sky Sports.

“The first half was terrible, we dropped off didn’t play our game, and could have been out of sight.

“The manager didn’t have to say much at half time as we knew ourselves as players it was a poor performance. He said that we didn’t want to be the clowns standing there watching them get their title.”

Smalling added: “City have been fantastic here all season, but we stepped up and won the game.”

Mourinho told the same thing to his Chelsea players in April 2014 when they prepared to face a Liverpool side on the brink of the title. Chelsea infamously won 2-0 that day and Liverpool’s title challenge collapsed.

Chris Smalling celebrates after giving Manchester United victory over City (Getty)

Smalling was at fault for City’s opener, allowing Kompany to get the better of him at a corner, but he was delighted to atone for his error by scoring the game’s winning goal.

“When you make a mistake you want an opportunity to make amends,” he said. “You could see the relief after the first goal, and I am just glad to contribute.”