Bristol City's Lee Johnson buys £450 bottle of wine for Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho: 'I have had to raid my little girl's piggy bank!'

  • Lee Johnson is hoping his side can claim major scalp by beating Man United
  • Bristol City host the Red Devils on Wednesday in last eight of the League Cup
  • The Robins' boss has imported a £450 bottle of wine for his opposite number
  • Johnson's assistant, Dean Holden, is a season-ticket holder at Old Trafford

Lee Johnson is so keen to get Jose Mourinho into his office for a chat after Wednesday night's game he has imported a £450 bottle of wine for his opposite number.

Championship high-flyers Bristol City, managed by Johnson, welcome Mourinho's Manchester United to Ashton Gate for their Carabao Cup quarter-final. 

The Robins will be looking to cause an upset but regardless of the result, Johnson is hoping to pick his United counterpart's brains post-match. 

Lee Johnson is hoping his Bristol City can cause a major upset against Manchester United

Lee Johnson is hoping his Bristol City can cause a major upset against Manchester United

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United side are hoping to retain the Carabao Cup this season

Jose Mourinho's United side are three games away from retaining the Carabao Cup

THE WINE OF CHOICE

Barca Velha is the pinnacle of quality amongst Douro wines. Classic, intense, complex, elegant and rich, adjectives are inadequate to describe what is, since its creation in 1952, the most celebrated Portuguese wine.

Source: Vinha  

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'It is being flown in especially from Portugal,' said the Bristol City boss, who has selected a Barca Velha 2004.


'We have done due diligence and realised Jose likes this particular bottle. I have had to raid my little girl's piggy bank!

'So hopefully he'll come in and have a little chat with me and I'll try to pick his brain for five or 10 minutes.

'He's absolutely at the top of his game, with world-class managerial qualities. Any young coaches like myself of course naturally try and emulate coaches like that.'

While Johnson would have no doubt been excited at the prospect of facing United, his assistant Dean Holden would have also been delighted with the draw. 

Holden is a season-ticket holder at Old Trafford — though admits rarely does he get the time to watch his beloved Red Devils. 

'Can I have the night off and go in the away end?' he jokingly told The National

Johnson is keen to get Mourinho into his office for a chat after Wednesday night's encounter

Johnson is keen to get Mourinho into his office for a chat after Wednesday night's encounter

Manchester United won the League Cup last season when they beat Southampton at Wembley

Manchester United won the League Cup last season when they beat Southampton at Wembley

'I've had a season ticket for most of my life and my seat is now in the Stretford End, but getting to games isn't always easy since I've been involved in football almost every Saturday since I've been nine.

'I started going to Old Trafford with my dad. We'd take a bus and then walk to Old Trafford. I never wanted to lose that connection and I've managed to get to games on Sundays, but I loved calling dad when we drew United.

'He watches my teams everywhere, he was so happy. We've beaten three Premier League teams to reach this stage and when I did the media after matches I was always asked who we wanted in the next round. I'd always say United.' 

Johnson's assistant Dean Holden is a United season-ticket holder and loves the club

Johnson's assistant Dean Holden is a United season-ticket holder and loves the club