Jose Mourinho walks out of Manchester United press conference demanding 'respect' from journalists

Mourinho left the room holding up three fingers to represent his three Premier League title victories

Mark Critchley
Old Trafford
Tuesday 28 August 2018 07:09 BST
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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reacts angrily to questions after Tottenham defeat

Jose Mourinho, the Manchester United manager, launched an impassioned defence of his managerial record after suffering the heaviest home defeat of his career.

Mourinho walked out of his press conference after United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur demanding journalists to show “respect” to his achievements in the game.

The United manager left holding up three fingers, representing his three Premier League titles, having accused journalists of putting a negative slant on what he labelled a “miracle” performance by United.

“You want to make the miracle of my team played so well and strategically we were so so good and you want to try and transform this press conference into a situation of: ‘Let’s blame the guy,’ Mourinho began.

“You have to tell me what is the most important thing, because I don’t know. When I win matches I come here many times and you are not happy that I win matches, and you say the most important is the way of playing. I need to know what is the most important thing – if it is is to play well or to win matches?”

Groups of supporters in Old Trafford's Stretford End stayed to applaud United after the final whistle and Mourinho made a point of showing them his appreciation, but many others left after Lucas Moura's second goal on the night six minutes from time rounded off the win.

When this was put to Mourinho, he went on the offensive, telling reporters: “I would do the same losing 3-0, taking two hours from here to centre of Manchester – it’s where I live, I know that after matches it takes two hours – I would do the same. Keep trying [to transform the story]. Keep trying.

"We lost last season here to Sevilla [a 2-1 defeat in the Champions League round of 16] and we were booed because we deserve [to lose], because we were not good, we were not dangerous enough, because Sevilla deserved to win the match, we were booed and deservedly. Today the players left the pitch and were applauded because they deserved it. So you keep trying and trying and trying.

Mourinho stormed out of his press conference

“Just to finish, do you know what was the result? 3-0. Do you know what this means?” At this point, Mourinho held up three fingers. ”3-0, but also means three Premierships and I won more alone than the other 19 managers together. Three for me and two for them.”

Pep Guardiola and Manuel Pellegrini are the only current Premier League managers to have won the title, with one each at Manchester City. Having made this point, Mourinho headed for the exit, telling journalists: "Respect, respect, respect man, respect."

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