- Jose Mourinho has dipped into a habit of tempestuous post-match interviews
- He highlighted the fact he had selected academy product Scott McTominay
- Manchester United managed to win 2-0 courtesy of an own goal and penalty
Jose Mourinho questioned Manchester United’s critics once again as they inched closer to the Champions League last 16.
The Portuguese made a chatting-hand gesture after United’s second goal against Benfica and appeared agitated after coming under fire over the last fortnight.
Despite a 100 per cent record in Europe, Mourinho said: ‘It’s better for the specialists to comment on the game than for me to give my opinion.
Jose Mourinho has slammed specialists after Manchester United’s win against Benfica
‘The specialists are paid to comment on my work, so let them comment. I’m more than happy. We changed players, broke the natural dynamic of the team and played a kid from the academy (Scott McTominay).
‘We scored two, didn’t concede, three more points, more money for the club, no significant injuries, I’m more than happy.’
In a moment of confusion, Mourinho ordered Romelu Lukaku to step away from a second-half penalty eventually scored by Daley Blind. That came after Anthony Martial had missed from the spot before the break.
He highlighted the fact he had picked ‘a kid from the academy’, 20-year-old Scott McTominay
Mourinho looked flummoxed at being asked why Lukaku was taken off responsibilities just a day after he had labelled the Belgium striker ‘untouchable’.
‘I don’t understand why everyone asks me the same,’ Mourinho added.
‘I am paid to take decisions good or bad. In the first half the decision was bad, in the second half I made another decision and I don’t see the drama.
‘The penalty-taker for this match was Martial and he was not even on the pitch when the second penalty was given. Romelu wants to take penalties, he has the personality to take the responsibility.
McTominay celebrates with Daley Blind during his full Champions League debut
‘Ander Herrera was the same, but my decision was based on training in the past couple of days. The players respected my decision, end of story.’
Mourinho took another dig at the United fans in his programme notes — a hangover from their boos during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of Tottenham.
‘I hope you enjoy the game more than some of you did against Tottenham,’ he wrote. ‘The fans normally are behind the team. I have had some good moments here and let’s see if we can continue that.’
