Prove to me you’re winners, demands Mourinho as United take on Southampton in League Cup final
Manager wants another trophy for his huge collection
Jose Mourinho has challenged Manchester United’s stars to prove his revolution is on track by winning the first major silverware of his reign in Sunday’s League Cup final against Southampton.
Given his remarkable success in 17 years as the world’s most fascinating and polarising manager, it’s understandable Mourinho labels the League Cup as only a “little detail” on a glittering CV including two Champions League triumphs and league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
But the United manager is too shrewd an operator not to realise that perception is everything in the ‘what have you done for me lately’ world of the Premier League.
After being sacked by Chelsea last season, Mourinho arrived at United in July with a point to prove after critics questioned whether he had lost his magic touch and the initial reviews of his rebuilding job were underwhelming.
Despite overhauling an unbalanced squad with the world record capture of France midfielder Paul Pogba and astute moves for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly, Mourinho cut a tetchy, frustrated figure as United endured a miserable run of two wins in 11 league games.
A hammering by Chelsea was especially chastening for Mourinho, who suffered taunts of “You’re not special anymore” from his old club’s supporters.