Jose Mourinho pleased with Manchester United win and admits side are cutting down on 'PlayStation football'

Mourinho was in a positive mood after an emphatic 4-1 victory that propelled his side within striking distance of the Champions League knockout stages

Jose Mourinho was happy with his side's dominant win over CSKA Moscow (Getty)

After destroying CSKA Moscow in their own stadium, Jose Mourinho proclaimed that Manchester United had returned to the levels of European performance they had once been accustomed to - and admitted his side had cut down on their propensity for "PlayStation football".

“The last appearances of Manchester United were not the best,” Mourinho reflected after an emphatic 4-1 victory that propelled them within striking distance of the Champions League knockout stages. “It was not a very good record and after a season away from the competition we came back with a strong performance. Nobody was speaking about the players who were not here.”

He added: "We are almost there. There was not so much PlayStation football tonight, just a little bit of relaxation. That is normal."

The last time Manchester United were in Moscow, two years ago under Louis van Gaal, they produced a laboured 1-1 draw against CSKA in a season that saw them exit the Champions League at the group stage.

This was a very different display and Mourinho, who was missing Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini, praised the performances of those who had been on the fringes of his Premier League side – the likes of Anthony Martial, Ander Herrera and Victor Lindelof.

“We started so strong and we surprised them with our attitude,” he added. “CSKA Moscow did not look as good as they are because of us.”

His opposite number, the CSKA manager, Victor Goncharenko, was shocked by the scale of their defeat. He had briefed his defence on what Romelu Lukaku, who scored twice, was capable of but it seemed to have no effect.

“It is hard to talk when you have been destroyed and when you have lost by such a great score,” he said. “It ruins my health when we spoke in detail about what Lukaku can do and we then made so many mistakes to make it so easy for Manchester United.”

Mourinho’s decision to sign a footballer he had allowed to leave while manager of Chelsea has paid rich dividends. These were Lukaku’s ninth and tenth goals for United. “Lukaku has a great record but he is surrounded by quality players,” said Mourinho. “But I have to admit he is scoring really important goals in nearly every game.”

Much as Mourinho tried hard not to sound triumphalist he could not resist a swipe at Liverpool who had been less impressive in their 1-1 draw in Moscow, against Spartak. “They play Tuesday and then they play Sunday. We, however, play Wednesday and then 3pm on Saturday.”

That, however, is against Crystal Palace, a team who could give CSKA Moscow a lesson when it comes to abject football.