Manchester United's top ten matches with Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho’s two-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford came to end after a 3-1 defeat away to Manchester United’s arch-rival Liverpool. The manager was sacked by the board two days after the defeat with the appointment of former United striker and legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the caretaker manager for the rest of the season.

Jose Mourinho’s achievements at Manchester United include reaching the finals of FA Cup 2017-18, winning the Community Shield 2016, English Football League Cup 2016-17 and UEFA Europa League 2016-17.

Mourinho was heavily criticized for his defensive style of play at United which didn’t fall in line with the club philosophy, yet there were moments of enjoyment, glory, and passion that will always be cherished by the fans, the players and the special one himself. Let’s have a look at the top ten matches of Manchester United with Jose Mourinho in charge over the last two and a half years.

#10 English Football League Cup 4th Round, 2016-17

Score: 1 – 0

Mata 54’

After defeats to Manchester City and Watford in September and a 4-0 thrashing of the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, pressure mounted on Mourinho to produce results and win the confidence of the fans again.

Jose Mourinho delivered by defeating the noisy neighbors and his own rival Pep Guardiola in the EFL Cup 4th Round tie at Old Trafford with Mata scoring the only goal in the match, beating Caballero in the goal. Mourinho apologized to the fans after the match while going into the tunnel for the 4-0 defeat by Chelsea 3 days ago.

#9 Juventus vs Manchester United: November 7, 2018

Champions League, 2018-19

Score: 1 – 2

Ronaldo 65’, Mata 86’, Bonucci 90’ (OG)

After a mixed start to the 2018-19 season, Manchester United found themselves in a very difficult situation while qualifying for the Champions League knock-out stages. With only 4 points out of possible 9 in the first three group matches against Young Boys, Valencia, and Juventus, United faced fierce competition from Valencia for 2nd position in the group.

United went to Turin to face one of the Champions League’s favorites who had recently signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. In a match dominated by Juventus where Ronaldo scored a stunning volley to put Juventus 1-0 up, Mata scored a sensational free kick late in the 2nd half to equalize. Ashley Young’s free-kick found its way into the net due to Bonucci’s deflection and United turned the tie around by scoring 2 goals in the last 5 minutes.

This match put United in a strong position to qualify for the knock-out stages and would be remembered for Mourinho’s celebration where he cupped his ear towards the home fans responding to their chants against him.

#8 Crystal Palace vs Manchester United: March 5, 2018

Premier League, 2017-18

Score: 2 – 3

Townsend 11’, Aanholt 48’, Smalling 55’, Lukaku 76’, Matic 90+1’

A match which looked to be an easy win for United turned out to be one of the most challenging and difficult ones of the season. Crystal Palace put themselves two goals up thanks to the goals from Townsend and Aanholt. It seemed almost impossible to attain a victory for the reds at this point.

United leveled the game with a header from Smalling and a goal from Lukaku. It seemed the match would end up in a draw but then Matic in the extra time scored a goal from outside of the box which turned out to be United’s goal of the season and completed an incredible comeback for United.

#7 Manchester United vs Newcastle United: October 6, 2018

Premier League, 2018-19

Score: 3 – 2

Kenedy 7’, Muto 10’, Mata 70’, Martial 76’, Sanchez 90’

Rumors were all over Manchester and England that Mourinho would be sacked irrespective of the result of the match against Newcastle United at Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho’s job was on the line because of a poor start to the 2018-19 season.

Manchester United found themselves nowhere in the game and two early goals from Kenedy and Muto laid a difficult road ahead for Mourinho and his boys. Mourinho and United’s players ran into the tunnel during the half time which would turn into one of the most important half time talks in Mourinho’s career.

United changed the tactics with Pogba playing from the back and Sanchez coming on as a substitute later in the 2nd half. An incredible free kick from Mata and Martial scoring a goal from a back-heel assist from Pogba leveled the reds with the Magpies. Alexis Sanchez’s header in the extra time secured an important victory for United and Mourinho, proving who the comeback kings are.

#6 Manchester United vs Southhampton: February 6, 2017

English Football League Cup Final, 2016-17

Score: 3 – 2

Ibrahimovic (2) 19’, 87’, Lingard 38’, Gabbiadini (2) 45+1’, 48’

The first major trophy final that United faced during Mourinho in charge. United visited Wembley to face Southampton in the EFL Cup final. United was cruising on to the victory thanks to goals from Ibrahimovic and Lingard in the 1st half. Ibrahimovic scored a free kick in the final proving his worth and Jesse Lingard continued his fine record of scoring at the Wembley.

The match was not over too soon when Southampton’s Gabbiadini scored two goals on either side of half time leveling the scoreline. Southampton had some good chances in the second half but Zlatan proved his class again by scoring a header late in the 2nd half assisted by Ander Herrera and winning the cup for United and 24th major title for Jose Mourinho

#5 Manchester United vs Liverpool: March 10, 2018

Premier League, 2017-18

Score: 2 – 1

Rashford (2) 14’, 24, Bailly 66’ (OG)

The last three meetings between both the sides ended in draws with only two goals scored in between them. With a fierce battle for top 4 this season, this match was very crucial for both the sides.

On one hand, United looked stable with their 2nd position in the Premier League table while on the other hand, Liverpool was flying with one of the best attacking trios in the Premier League of Salah, Mane, and Firmino. Marcus Rashford scored two beautiful goals in the first half from the left wing and Mata almost added the third goal with an overhead kick which went a little wide of the post.

The game was open again when Eric Bailly deflected Sadio Mane’s cross into United goal scoring an own goal. Liverpool gave United some difficult moments in the last quarter of the intense game but United saw through and strengthened their position to stay in the top four.

#4 Arsenal vs Manchester United: December 2, 2017

Premier League, 2017-18

Score: 1 – 3

Valencia 4’, Lingard (2) 11’, 63’, Lacazette 49’

A match that can be known as the day David De Gea proved again who the best goalkeeper in the world was. This match had everything, the intense rivalry between Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, counter-attacking goals and the maximum saves by any goalkeeper in a match.

United put themselves 0-2 up after early goals from Valencia and Lingard. Arsenal scored the next goal finding their way into the game but they found it impossible to put the ball past David De Gea. The third goal from Lingard killed the match and it was Mourinho again who came out on top at the Emirates.

United only had possession of 25% in the match but still managed to find the back of the net 3 times. The highlight of the match was De Gea’s double save against shots from Lacazette and Sanchez who in the end saved 14 shots, highest by any goalkeeper in a match.

#3 Manchester vs Chelsea: April 16, 2017

Premier League, 2016-17

Score: 2 – 0

Rashford 7’, Herrera 49’

A match that can be called as Mourinho Masterclass. Chelsea, under Antonio Conte, was unstoppable, winning back to back Premier League games, but that could not continue when they visited Old Trafford.

Mourinho had already lost twice against his former club, first the 4-0 thrashing at the Stamford Bridge in the Premier League and another a 1-0 defeat in the FA cup in the current season. Mourinho deployed Ander Herrera to man-mark Chelsea’s, Eden Hazard.

With a man of the match performance from Ander Herrera where he set up the first goal for Marcus Rashford and scored another in the 2nd half, United dominated Chelsea throughout the match. Jose Mourinho finally found a victory against his former club and was praised within the footballing community for his tactics during the match, calling it a Mourinho Masterclass.

#2 Manchester United vs Chelsea: February 25, 2018

Premier League, 2017-18

Score: 2 – 1

Willian 32’, Lukaku 39’, Lingard 75’

Mourinho is known for his mind games throughout his illustrious career and this match turned out to be one of the best mind games he ever played. With intense comments over each other in the press conferences leading to this match, the mood was on for both the Chelsea and United’s fans.

Conte pointed out Mourinho’s celebrations in the past resembling clown like behavior but Jose won the battle in the press when he reminded Conte of his suspension due to charges of match-fixing during his time in Italy. The match was eagerly looked on by everyone in the footballing world.

Willian put past one against De Gea in the near post and Conte’s celebration was to be seen. Mourinho, on the other hand, stood calmly on the touchline. Lukaku equalized for United just after 7 minutes and both the teams went into the half time scoring one goal each. There were chances for both the teams in the second half but it was Jesse Lingard who scored a header from a cross by Lukaku. United was 2-1 up and this time also Mourinho stood calmly on the touchline.

During the extra time after 90 minutes, Mourinho could not control his emotions and signaled the crowd to support and create an atmosphere. Mourinho came on the top against Conte and his mind games, indeed worked.

#1 Manchester City vs Manchester United: April 7, 2018

Premier League, 2017-18

Score: 2 – 3

Kompany 25’, Gundogan 30’, Pogba (2) 53’, 55’, Smalling 69’

Unarguably the best, the most emotional and thrilling match that the Reds witnessed under Jose Mourinho. Manchester City was having the season of their life and was one win away from winning the Premier League title. This match turned out to be against Manchester United at their very own Etihad.

Pep Guardiola’s team didn’t give a slight chance for Jose Mourinho’s men to get into the match in the first half. The Reds went 2-0 down just in 30 minutes with goals from Kompany and Gundogan. Etihad was on fire, with the chants of Manchester being blue and expecting City to win the title in the next 45 minutes when both the teams went into the half time. With the special one saying ‘we don’t want to be the clowns watching them lift the title’ to his players at half time, the team was a totally different one when they came to play in the second half.

Paul Pogba scored two goals in two minutes to level the score. The fans in the away stand in Etihad were on their feet, the game was on. When Chris Smalling scored the third goal beating Ederson in the goal, the comeback was complete, with United leading with 2-3. An excellent save from David De Gea against Aguero’s header at the end of the match saw United win over City and The Special One had spoiled Pep Guardiola’s and Manchester City’s title party.

Edited by Nnanna Mba