- Manchester United have now gone 37 matches without defeat at Old Trafford
- Jose Mourinho’s team are on the verge of exceeding club record of 38
- The last home loss was against Manchester City on September 10 last year
- Mourinho has a history of strong home records at Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan during his managerial career
Jose Mourinho has made a habit throughout his managerial career of turning a club’s home stadium into a fortress – and this now appears to be happening at Manchester United.
Their 2-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday night extended United’s unbeaten record at Old Trafford to 37 matches in all competitions.
An unfortunate own goal by Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar and a late penalty by Daley Blind continued United’s 100 per cent start to their Champions League group and within a point of qualifying for the last-16.
Jose Mourinho on the touchline at Old Trafford, where Manchester United have now gone 37 matches undefeated in all competitions following Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Benfica
Mourinho has turned stadiums into fortresses wherever he has gone in his career
United made it 37 matches unbeaten at Old Trafford as they defeated Benfica 2-0 on Tuesday
Trafford aren’t too appreciative of Mourinho’s methods – this dissent has been a real bugbear for the manager this week – at least they’re not seeing their side lose.
Indeed, the last time someone got the better of United in their own backyard and the only time Mourinho has lost a home game during his time in charge, was the 2-1 Premier League loss to Manchester City on September 10 last year.
Since that setback, United have gone 37 matches – almost the equivalent of a full Premier League season – without tasting defeat in M16.
This equals the club record established by Sir Alex Ferguson’s team back and Mourinho can set a new best if United avoid defeat in their next home game against Newcastle United on November 18.
Manchester City were the last side to win at Old Trafford – back on September 10 last year
Sir Alex Ferguson went 38 matches unbeaten at Old Trafford – but that could be about to be broken by Mourinho’s side
But Mourinho is an old hand at getting results on home turf. During his first spell at Chelsea, his team went an astonishing 60 matches unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.
At Real Madrid, they went 43 games without defeat at the Bernabeu and when at Inter Milan, Mourinho’s side racked up 38 undefeated at the San Siro.
Now he is building the ramparts at Old Trafford and turning it back into the fortress it was during Ferguson’s time.
But whether a strong home record will prove enough to catch Manchester City at the top of the Premier League is another matter.
