Mourinho hails fantastic victory

Jose Mourinho praised his Manchester United players after the came from behind to defeat Juventus 2-1 in the Champions League clash in Turin.

Former United star Cristiano Ronaldo fired Juventus in front with an outstanding volley in the 65th minute but they squandered a number of opportunities and they were made to pay when Juan Mata beat Wojciech Szczesny with a free-kick from the edge of the box in the 86th minute.

Another free-kick handed United victory as Ashley Young’s shot was turned in under pressure by Juventus’ Alex Sandro.

The victory cemented United’s position behind Juventus in Group H and boosts their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the competition.

ALSO READ:  Mourinho could still face ban for using bad language

Praising his players, Mourinho said: “Probably when Manchester United had heroics here (in 2003), Manchester United was the best team.

“And they (Juventus) are a top team for many years now. They bought that player (Ronaldo), they want to win everything, they can win everything and we are a team where many of the players didn’t play big matches like this in the Champions League.

“So, it is a different situation but it is a fantastic victory for us – a victory that is not just about the points we lost at home, it is about the feeling of how well we played.

“And I think even if this game doesn’t end with a victory, I would have the same feeling that the team played really, really well from the first minute – I repeat – against a super team.”

Mourinho celebrated by cupping his ear at full-time as he walked onto the pitch before he was confronted by Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci.

ALSO READ:  Hazard to play against BATE

“That sign that I made is actually not an offence. I just wanted to hear if they’d [the fans] make comments again or not,” he explained.

“Obviously when I work for a club like Manchester United, I need to forget my past, especially in the 90 minutes. It’s not that during the 90 minutes I keep thinking I was coach of Inter or Real Madrid or Chelsea. In those 90 minutes I represent Manchester United.

“But they didn’t forget, the others didn’t forget that I was. Of course I do my job, and my job was to win against Juventus, and it is a great joy for me, because we have won against such a super squad, a super team. I’ve come here as a professional and I have a great respect for a fantastic team.”