While it ended in disaster, with typical “third season syndrome,” Jose Mourinho still had a decent run as Manchester United manager. He brought the club their first Europa League title in history, a League Cup title and Community Shield win.
Mourinho also led United to the highest league finish the club has seen since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down, when he guided the Red Devils to a second place finish in 2017-18. Tomorrow night, he’ll return to Old Trafford for the first time as the man leading the opposition. He expects a warm reception on Wednesday when he’s introduced to the Theatre of Dreams crowd as Tottenham Hotspur manager.
“I have a great relation with Manchester United supporters,” he said. “I went back as a pundit, which is a different perspective. I was really humbled by such a beautiful reception.
“Tomorrow I go back as the coach of the team that is going is try to beat Manchester United and that maybe gives a different perspective. I expect this respect that they always show towards me, but I understand what they want is exactly the opposite of what I want.”
Press conference video from earlier today via YouTube:
“I want Tottenham to win, they want Manchester United to win. During the match I expect them to forget me and I expect them to support their team to get the result they want.”
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who certainly has his own issues right now, says Mourinho will be positively received, and deservedly so.
“He will get a very good reception and that’s just a testament to this club and these supporters,” Solskjaer said.
“They remember two-and-a-half years, winning trophies and I’m 100 percent sure our fans, staff and the club will welcome him. I don’t think whoever is manager of the opposition will change motivation [for the players]. They are motivated to do well for Man United.”
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur FYIs
Team News for both sides: go to this link
Starting XI Predictions: Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United
Kickoff: 7:30 BST, Dec. 3, Old Trafford
Google Result Probability: Manchester United win 34%, Draw 29%, Sheffield United win 37%
Form Guide: Tottenham- WWDDL Manchester United- DDWLW
Series history: 91 Manchester United wins 48 Draws 52 Tottenham Hotspur wins
Odds via Betfair Exchange: Manchester United win 15/8, Draw 5/2, Aston Villa 13/8
Prediction: Manchester United 2, Tottenham 2
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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