Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho fires Sir Alex Ferguson dig at Man Utd's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - 7M sport

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho fires Sir Alex Ferguson dig at Man Utd's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer



Posted Saturday, April 10, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has opened up on Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of Sunday's Premier League showdown.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho thinks Sir Alex Ferguson would disagree with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘trophies are for egos’ comments. Both teams face off on Sunday. And it promises to be a blockbuster Premier League showdown.

Speaking recently, Solskjaer raised eyebrows by insisting trophies are an ‘ego thing’.

"I’ve been here for two and a half of those years and coming in as I’ve said so many times I felt a big rebuild had to be made,” said the 48-year-old.

"In the league position you see if there’s any progress for me, that’s always the bread and butter of the season that you see how capable you are of coping of ups and downs any cup competition can give you a trophy but sometimes it’s more of an ego thing from other managers and clubs to finally win something.

"But we need to see progress and if we perform well enough the trophies will end up at the club again. It’s not like a trophy will say that we’re back, no.”

Mourinho was Solskjaer’s predecessor at Old Trafford, winning the Carabao Cup and Europa League before being relieved of his duties in December 2018.

And the current Tottenham boss, speaking ahead of Sunday’s showdown, has fired a dig at his managerial counterpart - insisting Ferguson would disagree with his comments.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho fires Sir Alex Ferguson dig at Man Utd's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has fired Sir Alex Ferguson dig at Man Utd's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Image: GETTY)

Mourinho said: “It’s his opinion. I’m pretty sure his big boss Sir Alex had a different opinion about it.

"But I respect what Solskjaer thinks. I think different.

"Freedom of thinking, freedom of ideas, and if that is what he thinks that is fine by me. It’s not a problem for me, he’s not being disrespectful to anyone.

"But I repeat I believe his big boss, and the biggest in Premier League history, has a different view in relation to that.”

Earlier in the season, Tottenham beat United 6-1 at Old Trafford.

It was a brilliant afternoon for Mourinho’s side, with Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min both producing sublime performances on the day.

But Mourinho thinks that match won’t have a bearing on Sunday’s contest.

"I believe that 6-1 doesn't reflect the reality. It can happen,” he said.

"Of course it can happen, between two great, the results they can happen in an isolated way. I go much more in the direction of the other two previous matches between us and United.

"We lost 2-1 at Old Trafford, with the penalty, and we draw 1-1 at home last season, also with a penalty. I think this is more the reality. We are not far from each other so I think it is going to be a difficult match for both.

"If Solskjaer is going to use that result I don't know. If it was the opposite. If it was my team losing 6-1 to them I would just say to my guys that it happened once and it's not going to happen twice.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho fires Sir Alex Ferguson dig at Man Utd's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho is relishing Man Utd and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showdown (Image: GETTY)

"This doesn't reflect the reality. The game is going to be tight and we can win, but I don't know, maybe Solksjaer has different things.”

Mourinho also insisted he doesn’t want his players to be ‘concerned’ about United’s penalty record.

"I cannot go to a football match concerned,” Mourinho said.

"I can’t. I don’t think it’s the right frame of mind to go to a football match concerned. So I’m not going to be concerned. And I don’t want my players.

"They have to go to a football match with positive feelings, enjoying the game, enjoying the dimension and the difficulty of the game. Coping with the responsibility. Coping with the pressure, good pressure. So that’s what I want.

"I want to be positive and happy to play against such a giant club, and such a good team.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho fires Sir Alex Ferguson dig at Man Utd's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho won two trophies during Man Utd spell (Image: GETTY)

"And of course with the ambition to win the points, because the points, when the game starts, the points are going to be there on the grass, and we are going to play for the points.”

Furthermore, Mourinho claimed Tottenham lack the financial power of Manchester City - who recently tied Kevin De Bruyne down to a new contract.

Mourinho added: “If Kevin signed contract of x million I would love him to sign a contract of three times x million.

"Fantastic player. If Pep – or any of the coaches of the top teams – has x million to spend good for them, no problems. I enjoy to work in my club.

"I enjoy to do what we are doing and I am not jealous of the ones that can do other things. I would love my players to get the same contract as David de Gea or Kevin De Bruyne. I would love them to get that money.”



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