Neville’s passionate defence of Mourinho’s Man Utd methods

Gary Neville believes Jose Mourinho is right to do things his way after explaining the Manchester United manager’s ‘sssh’ gesture over the weekend.

United eked out a 1-0 win over Tottenham at the weekend thanks to a late Anthony Martial goal, and the United boss was seen putting his finger to lips in a gesture believed to be aimed at critics of United’s style.

Discussing the meaning behind the gesture, Neville told Monday Night Football: “He clearly feels he’s been unfairly attacked. This was him saying ‘I’m a winner, keep your mouth shut, I know what I’m doing’.

Neville was then asked if criticisms of Manchester United’s style – which at times has been described as ‘boring’ – was getting to Mourinho, to which the former full-back replied: “The two issues he has at United at the moment are two-fold. Number 1 is their history: Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson were both serial winners but also did so in a certain style – with attacking football, entertaining football.

“His second problem is what [Pep] Guardiola is doing at Manchester City. Fans are seeing the way they play and asking why they can’t play the same.”

Neville, however, insists Mourinho will be well aware of the club’s philosophy, but insists he is right to put victories before style for now.

“To be fair, he knows the Man United mantra, but he’s pragmatic and knows his strengths and weaknesses.

“He’s changed a lot about the team since he arrived, but ultimately, Mourinho will do it his way.

“He’s a little bit like [boxer, Floyd] Mayweather in that respect. “He can be defensive at times, but it’s effective. He can defend the punches and will usually find ways to win – his record proves that.”

Neville continued: “The pressure is building on Jose. Saturday was a must-win game because they couldn’t afford to fall eight points behind Manchester City at this stage and that was his way of simply saying ‘Quiet, I’ll do it my way and I will get the job done’.”