Mourinho explains why he rates Ivan Perisic so highly

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on former transfer target Ivan Perisic.

The Croatia winger played a major role in ending England’s World Cup dream, scoring the equaliserbefore having a hand in Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time winner in Wednesday night’s 2-1 semi-final win over England.

The 29-year-old was given the man-of-the-match award and his performance showed just why Mourinho was so keen to sign the Inter Milan man last summer.

United spent all last summer trying to sign Perisic, but they could not agree a fee for the £45million-rated player, who eventually signed a new five-year deal with the Serie A club.

“Perisic is the kind of winger that is different to the others,” Mourinho told Russia Today. “Normally you look at wingers and they are just fast and creative.

“But he is also physical, very physical. Fantastic in the air.

“So the way he wins that ball in the air [for Mandzukic’s winning goal] and puts the ball into that space is only possible if you are very, very physical and dominant over defenders.

“So he was amazing by going there and winning that ball in the air.”