Mourinho didn’t expect Jones’ ban to be overturned

Mourinho admits he expected United to lose their appeal against Phil Jones' ban.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that he did not expect UEFA to overturn Phil Jones’ European suspension.

Jones was banned for two European games for ‘insulting and directing abusive language’ towards a doping control officer following United’s Europa League final victory over Ajax in Stockholm last May. Jones was understood to be angry at being unable to celebrate with his team-mates and take part in a photo dedicated to the victims of the Manchester terror attack.

The ban means that Jones will not be available for Tuesday night’s UEFA Super Cup or the first game of United’s Champions League campaign.

United, Jones and Daley Blind were also fined for the ofences, though Mourinho is hoping that doping control officers will allow players to celebrate their victories in future.

Speaking ahead of the UEFA Super Cup, Mourinho said: “Phil Jones, I was expecting the appeal to be negative.

“I only hope that after the game tomorrow if one of the players wants to celebrate and if one of the players wants to get his medal and enjoy the victory with his team-mates I expect the doping committee sends somebody with him and doesn’t close him in a room.”

Sporting Tribune