Jose Mourinho demands more credit for his Manchester United players for keeping clean sheet against Spurs

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Jose Mourinho claimed a lack of praise for Manchester United’s clean sheet against free-scoring Tottenham proves they are unfairly maligned.

Mourinho, who is attending a tax fraud case brought against him in Madrid on Friday morning before Sunday’s crunch Premier League clash at Chelsea, is adamant double standards are afoot.

Spurs were on his mind after watching the 3-1 victory over European champions Real Madrid following their defeat at Old Trafford. 

Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United should be getting more credit for their displays

‘Similar performances for some clubs are magic, are examples of brilliant tactics and amazing attitude by the players,’ Mourinho said.

‘With other teams the same kind of performance becomes conservative, becomes negative, becomes so many adjectives.

‘But honestly just as an example, Tottenham beat Liverpool 4-1, Tottenham beat Real Madrid 3-1, Tottenham didn’t score against Manchester United so at least a little bit of credit my players deserve.

‘I know that it is a different way of analysing things for this reason or that reason. Sometimes I feel that I could or I should comment but other times I cool down.’

Mourinho insisted that the court hearing is not a distraction for his team, even though it comes 48 hours before the trip to Chelsea. 

The United boss has had to deal with a backlash of negativity from fans for their playing style

The Portuguese has been summoned to answer allegations he defrauded the Spanish tax authorities of £2.9million during his time in charge of Real Madrid by not declaring image-rights profits.

United are expected to train later than normal this afternoon (Thursday) to accommodate the extenuating circumstances.

Mourinho also suggested returning to his old club will soon become an irrelevance. He received a subdued reception ahead of the heavy 4-0 defeat in the league last season.

But a number of Chelsea supporters behind the Stamford Bridge dugout chanted “F*** off Mourinho” during an FA Cup tie in March. Mourinho’s retort was to hold three fingers up towards the crowd, indicating how many Premier League titles he lifted during two spells in west London.

Anthony Martial scored the only goal as United beat Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday

‘I played there with Inter and twice with Manchester United,’ he added. ‘I have to admit it is a little bit different but in the end I want to win like I did with Inter.

‘They want to win like they did last season and it is just one more day and in a couple of years it will be even more natural. In four or five years probably no one will remember I was Chelsea manager and it will become normal.

‘It is a big match, but not because of that, because they are champions and we are Manchester United.’